Chapter 2

Once I got into the car, I scrutinized the bouquet. I was only reassured after confirming that all was as it should be.

In my past life, the blue rose bouquet Julian prepared was lavish beyond imagination, but it almost cost me my life. Julian never wanted to get married, so he had laced the bouquet with an aphrodisiac—a perfume meant to provoke powerful emotions.

He even arranged for me to be sent to a hidden chamber, intending to tarnish my reputation and legally annul the marriage.

I was curious if Vivienne possessed the capability to avoid that trap after being reborn.

I had just stepped out of the car when I was abruptly seized around the waist, and a man hoisted me into his arms and swiftly carried me into the wedding suite.

I could hear a chorus of laughter and teasing from outside. "That's quite impressive! How about we get a look at the bride?"

Through the sheer veil, I could barely make out the man in the white suit standing in front of me. I could see him reaching over to raise the veil, his features twisted into a repulsive grin.

I acted swiftly, grabbing his wrist and lifting the veil before he could. I scrutinized the men and women in the room and stated coldly, "You're not Dominic Romano."

In that instant, the expressions of everyone present changed immediately.

The man in front of me tried to assault me in plain view, paying no attention to anything else.

I smashed the bouquet into his face, then pulled out the dagger I had ready and slashed across his cheek without hesitation. Blood sprayed in all directions as the man screamed in agony.

"That was quite the performance!"

Applause suddenly rang out as a man dressed in white appeared from behind the door, with a woman in his arms. He sat on the couch across from me and cocked his eyebrow slightly, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

"You're quite ruthless, aren't you?"

I looked up at him calmly and matched his gaze. "I was only protecting myself."

I watched as he undid the buttons on his shirt, exposing his toned abs with a rebellious flair. I knew in an instant that the man before me was Dominic—my husband in this lifetime.

In my past life, I had seen Dominic several times at the Romano famiglia's social gatherings. I knew he always acted the part of a womanizer, engaging in frequent dalliances, but I didn't expect the wedding to turn into such a farce.

Dominic raised his hand, and part of the crowd that had been heckling immediately cleared out.

"You're not actually planning to marry this woman, are you, Dominic?"

I looked toward the voice, my eyes falling on the blonde woman with blue eyes nestling in Dominic's embrace.

Dominic offered no reply, opting instead to pinch her waist, which elicited a playful protest from that woman.

They kept up their public display of affection, utterly unconcerned with anyone watching.

I gave a contemptuous chuckle as I stared straight at Dominic, no longer hiding my intentions. "Why don't we strike a deal, Dominic?"

"What do you have to offer?" Dominic looked up lazily, seemingly indifferent to what I had said.

I wasn't bothered by it. As far as the upper class was concerned, people like me were only useful for procreation. I was done being controlled, whether by Julian or Dominic.

I looked past his contempt and pointed a finger at his head before moving it down to his groin. "I'm offering a deal that involves this part of you."

In that instant, a few people in the room stifled a laugh, though no one was brave enough to actually break the silence.

Dominic finally dropped his haughty and disrespectful attitude. He ordered the woman to leave with a grim expression.

He extinguished his cigarette the moment the door was closed, walked over, and gripped my chin roughly. "You should evaluate your own ability and status before you try to negotiate terms with me, Isabella Everhart."