I Died Once to Become Her Nightmare

The chandelier sparkled above the ballroom, casting golden light across crystal glasses and smiling faces.

Everyone was celebrating.

Everyone except Liana Carter.

She stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Grand Regency Hotel, her fingers wrapped around a glass of champagne she hadn't touched. Beyond the glass, the city lights shimmered against the darkness like scattered diamonds.

Tonight marked five years since Adrian Vale had proposed to her.

Five years of love.

Five years of trust.

Five years of believing she had found the man she would spend the rest of her life with.

"Liana."

A familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She turned and smiled.

"Vanessa."

Vanessa Hart approached in a stunning red gown, her blonde hair falling in elegant waves over her shoulders. She wrapped her arms around Liana in a warm embrace.

"You've been hiding all evening," Vanessa teased.

Liana laughed softly.

"I just needed some air."

"You should be enjoying yourself. This party is practically a royal celebration."

Liana glanced around the ballroom.

Business leaders.

Celebrities.

Politicians.

The city's elite had gathered tonight.

Most of them weren't here for the anniversary.

They were here because of the Carter family.

The Carters were one of the most influential families in the country, and everyone knew that Adrian's upcoming marriage to Liana would make him even more powerful.

Vanessa linked their arms together.

"Come on. Adrian has been looking for you."

At the mention of his name, warmth spread through Liana's chest.

She had loved Adrian since university.

Back then, he hadn't been wealthy or powerful.

He had been ambitious, charming, and determined.

She had admired that.

Supported him.

Believed in him.

And together they had built a future.

Or so she thought.

As they crossed the ballroom, applause suddenly erupted.

Liana looked toward the stage.

Adrian stood at the center, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

Handsome.

Confident.

Everything she had ever wanted.

His eyes found hers immediately.

A smile appeared on his face.

The same smile that had once made her heart race.

"There's the woman of the evening," he announced.

The crowd laughed.

Liana felt her cheeks warm as she joined him on stage.

Adrian took her hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here tonight."

More applause followed.

"Five years ago, I met the most incredible woman in the world."

The audience collectively sighed.

Vanessa stood near the front, smiling brightly.

"She believed in me when nobody else did. She stood beside me through every challenge. I wouldn't be the man I am today without her."

Liana felt tears gathering in her eyes.

Adrian turned toward her.

His gaze softened.

"I love you, Liana."

Her heart melted.

"I love you too."

The guests cheered.

Camera flashes illuminated the room.

For a brief moment, everything seemed perfect.

Then Adrian leaned closer and whispered into her ear.

"Enjoy tonight."

His smile never changed.

"It's your last."

Liana froze.

The blood drained from her face.

"What?"

She stared at him in shock.

But Adrian simply kissed her cheek and stepped back.

The audience saw a loving fiancé.

Only Liana had heard the chilling threat.

A strange unease settled inside her chest.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur.

By midnight, most guests had left.

Vanessa insisted on accompanying her to the underground parking garage.

"You seem distracted," Vanessa said.

"I'm fine."

But she wasn't.

Adrian's words echoed relentlessly inside her mind.

It's your last.

The elevator doors opened.

The parking garage was unusually quiet.

Too quiet.

The sound of their heels echoed against the concrete floor.

Liana frowned.

Something felt wrong.

The moment they stepped outside, several men emerged from the shadows.

Her body stiffened.

"Who are they?"

Vanessa didn't answer.

Instead, she stepped away.

A smile slowly appeared on her face.

A smile Liana had never seen before.

Cold.

Cruel.

Victorious.

Confusion flooded Liana's mind.

"Vanessa?"

The blonde woman folded her arms.

"You're smarter than I thought."

Fear crept down Liana's spine.

"What is this?"

One of the men grabbed her arm.

Liana struggled instantly.

"Let me go!"

Another seized her wrists.

Panic exploded inside her chest.

She looked desperately toward Vanessa.

Her best friend.

Her sister in everything but blood.

"Vanessa, help me!"

Vanessa laughed.

The sound was horrifying.

"Help you?"

Liana stared at her.

The woman before her felt like a stranger.

"Why would I help you?"

"What are you talking about?"

Vanessa's eyes glittered with hatred.

"Do you know what it's like watching someone have everything?"

Liana's stomach dropped.

"The perfect family."

Vanessa stepped closer.

"The perfect life."

Her voice sharpened.

"The perfect man."

Understanding hit like a truck.

"No..."

Vanessa smiled.

"Yes."

The world tilted beneath Liana's feet.

"No."

She shook her head repeatedly.

"No."

A familiar figure stepped out of the darkness.

Adrian.

Liana's breath caught.

For one hopeful second, she thought he would save her.

Instead, he walked directly to Vanessa.

And wrapped an arm around her waist.

The hope inside Liana died instantly.

"No..."

Vanessa leaned against him comfortably.

As if they had done this countless times before.

Tears filled Liana's eyes.

"How long?"

Adrian's expression remained cold.

"Three years."

Three years.

Half their relationship.

The revelation shattered something deep inside her.

"You both betrayed me?"

Vanessa laughed.

"Betrayed you? Please."

Adrian stepped forward.

"We simply took advantage of an opportunity."

Liana stared at the man she had loved with her whole heart.

The man she had trusted completely.

"I would have given you everything."

"You already did."

His answer was merciless.

"The company."

"The shares."

"The connections."

His lips curved into a cruel smile.

"And now, your death."

A chill spread through her body.

Her death.

This wasn't a threat.

This was a plan.

A plan they had prepared long ago.

Before she could react, one of the men struck her across the head.

Pain exploded through her skull.

The world blurred.

The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was Adrian kissing Vanessa.

As darkness swallowed her whole, a single thought echoed in her mind.

If I survive this...

I will destroy them both.

But fate had other plans.

Because that night, Liana Carter died.

Or at least...

She was supposed to.