Chapter 1

Isabella’s POV

In my last life, I got pregnant after a one-night mistake—with my boyfriend and my best friend. Not wanting to lose the baby, I chose to get engaged to one of them and gave up my right to inherit the family business, handing it to my stepsister.

Life didn’t seem so bad—at least, not until my father died.

That was when everything fell apart. My fiancé and my stepsister locked me away. Together with the man I had trusted as my best friend, they tortured me to death.

Only in my final breath did I learn the truth: it had all been planned. My pregnancy was their weapon, used to strip me of my inheritance and clear the path for my stepsister to take everything. The men I thought were mine had always been her loyal fanatics.

So when I opened my eyes and realized I was back on the very day my life collapsed, I made a different choice this time.

“Isabella, come. Have a drink with us.” Julian’s voice cut through my thoughts.

Minutes ago, I’d been bleeding out in my own basement. Julian’s bullet still burned in my chest. Sebastian’s hands had been tight around my throat. And now—I was standing here, reborn and unharmed.

“Come,” Sebastian said, offering a glass. “Enjoy the party with us.”

In my last life, I took that drink. It was the start of a hazy, dangerous night.

So, I hesitated this time.

“Come on, don’t be a party bummer.” Vivienne’s voice rang out behind me.

The way they were all trying to get me to drink only made me more suspicious. I took the glass, but set it aside.

Vivienne strolled over, seamlessly slipping into conversation with Julian and Sebastian. While they were distracted, I made the switch—my untouched glass for hers.

Was the drink that made me wake up between Julian and Sebastian, not remembering a damn thing?

“I’m feeling a bit of a headache,” I said after took a sip from Vivienne’s glass.

They exchanged a look. Subtle. Quick. But I caught it.

Julian smiled. “Why don’t you rest in the guest room down the hall? I’ll walk you back to your room later.”

“Alright.”

But I didn’t go to the guest room. I stayed, hidden just outside the party room.

Half an hour later, Vivienne stumbled out and headed toward the bathroom. I followed—and found her slumped on the floor.

So it was the drink. Only this time, the one who passed out was Vivienne.

I dragged her limp body into the guest room. Left her there. And waited again.

One hour later, Julian and Sebastian stumbled out together. They headed straight for the guest room, clearly drunk. I slipped away quietly, retreating to my own bedroom.

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

Watching this night unfold—like I was an outsider to my own nightmare—was surreal.

Had Vivienne done the same in my past life? Had she watched me walk into that room, knowing exactly what was about to happen?

I sat on the edge of the bed, trying not to remember—but the memories came anyway.

After that night, I found out I was pregnant. And to protect the baby, I had to get engaged to either Julian or Sebastian.

Either choice meant I couldn’t inherit the Vale. My father wouldn’t approve a husband like that.

So Vivienne got everything.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My skin still smooth. Still untouched.

But I remembered it all. Julian, holding that small knife. The way he carved into my face—slow, careful, almost gentle.

When he was done, he held up a mirror. My face, streaked with blood. Vivienne’s laughter echoed behind him. And Sebastian… he was laughing too.

And later, Sebastian used that same blade to stab me in the stomach.

My baby.

My hands dropped to my stomach. I could still feel it—where my child used to be. Where they ended its life.

Fury burned through me.

I wanted to kill them. All three of them. Right now.

And it wouldn’t be hard.

But a clean death? That would be too merciful.

Those three didn’t just kill me. They broke me. They made sure I suffered.

Why? What had I done to deserve that?

It didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered now—was that they felt it too.

Every ounce of agony I endured. I’d return it to them. Tenfold.

I opened the door and stepped into the hallway, heading straight for my father’s room.

He was still awake.

“Bella?” He looked up, surprised. “Why aren’t you at the party?”

“Papa,” I said quietly. “I’ve thought about your question. My answer is yes. I’ll inherit the Don’s seat. And I’ll break up with Julian.”

My father released a long breath, sinking back into his pillows. “That sounds good, my baby.”

“But I want to save the good news for my birthday party in three days. Is that okay, Papa?”

Father smiled. “Anything you want.”

At my birthday party, I would settle every debt—with Vivienne, Julian, and Sebastian.

Let them enjoy these last few days of dreaming.

The shock and panic on their face the moment my name was announced as the Don of Vale— That would be my true birthday gift.