Reborn for Revenge

The wind howled against the cliffside, tearing through Aurelia’s hair as the storm gathered above. The sky had turned a bruised gray, and the ocean below raged in echo to her heartbeat — wild, chaotic, endless.

Aurelia stumbled, her wrists bound by coarse rope, her feet scraping against the jagged rock. The scent of salt and iron filled her lungs as she struggled against the pull on her arm. Owen’s grip was unrelenting.

“Please,” she rasped, her voice nearly drowned by the roar of the waves. “You don’t have to do this.”

Owen didn’t meet her eyes. His expression was unreadable, set in stone — the same face that had once smiled at her, promised her forever. Now it was hollow, distant.

Behind him, Silea’s laughter broke through the wind — soft, cruel, and echoing with satisfaction.

“Oh, Aurelia,” Silea said as she stepped closer, her gown whipping in the storm. “You still think pleading works. You never did learn, did you?”

Aurelia turned, her eyes burning with fury and disbelief. “I treated you like my sister! "

Silea laughed. Sounded evil then ever..

"And that's exactly what I don't want Aurie.. I don't want to be treated like a sister that your father got from orphanage just so you won't feel alone! "

Lightning cracked across the horizon, illuminating the fury twisting through Silea’s face. Her beauty seemed sharpened by it — too perfect, too inhuman.

Aurelia’s heart pounded.

“That man gave you house, security, food, everything you needed in life but you? You always went after me! Taking things that never belonged to you!

Silea’s hand shot out, striking Aurelia across the face. Not brutal — calculated. A mark, not a wound. A message.

"Yes... Everything! From your property to your once beloved man.. Everything us mine now! "

Aurelia staggered, her cheek burning, but she refused to look away.

"You'll regret this! I'll not let you live peacefully after you destroyed everything! "

Silea’s smile faltered for a heartbeat — just long enough for Aurelia to see the crack beneath her calm. Then it vanished, replaced by something far colder.

Owen stood between them now, his expression tight, eyes flicking between both women. “Enough.”

“Enough?” Aurelia repeated, her voice shaking. “You’re standing there like—like this isn’t happening! You’re letting her do this!”

He flinched, his knuckles whitening.

“You wouldn’t understand, Aurelia. She’s—”

“She’s what?” Aurelia snapped. “Your savior? Your puppet master?”

Owen’s jaw clenched. “She is my love.. My true love whom I couldn't marry because of you.. Because you sent her away so you could have me! "

The betrayal landed sharper than any blow. For a moment, the wind went still in her ears. She stared at him, disbelief hollowing her chest.

“You loved me,” she whispered.

He hesitated, eyes flickering, guilt breaking through for a single breath — then gone.

"I never did.. All I ever loved was Silea and the things you could offer. "

The world tilted.

Silea’s smirk widened.

“Don’t waste tears, little sister. He made his choice long before tonight.”

The ropes around Aurelia’s wrists tightened as Silea motioned for him to pull her closer to the edge. The cliffs crumbled beneath her feet, the rocks slick with mist and moss. One wrong move, one slip, and the sea would take her.

Aurelia’s voice trembled but didn’t break.

“You think this ends with me?”

Silea tilted her head, her sapphire eyes glittering. “It already has.”

Aurelia searched Owen’s face again — desperate for something, anything. Remorse. Conflict. Love. But all she found was silence.

He pushed her on her knees, an inch gap from falling into the depth.

Silea knelt beside her, her breath warm against Aurelia’s ear. “When you see the abyss, tell it I sent you.”

And with that, Silea stood — elegant, merciless — and gave a small nod.

Owen’s hands moved. Not gently. Not cruelly. Mechanically.

The final push sent her stumbling backward. The edge gave way beneath her heels. For a heartbeat, she saw them — Silea's calm smile, Owen’s hollowed eyes — framed against the storm.

Then there was nothing but the fall.

The air screamed past her, tearing at her hair, her gown, her voice. The world blurred — sky, cliff, sea, lightning. She couldn’t tell where one ended and the next began. The ocean reached for her like a dark mouth opening wide.

Aurelia’s heart thundered, not with fear, but fury.

She closed her eyes, and the only face she saw was Theodore's ... The one whi truly stayed by her but she was dumb to run after silver, leaving gold behind.

“I will not die like this,” she whispered into the wind.

She forced her eyes open, the world spinning, her voice a raw promise. “If there is anything left of me — anything — I will come back. I will make them pay.”

The wind swallowed her words, carrying them upward as she fell. But she felt it, deep inside her chest — a spark, a defiance that refused to be extinguished.

The world tilted, slowed.

And in the last moment before the sea swallowed her whole, the pendant at her throat — the one Theodore had once given her — flared with light. The Ruby glowed fiercely, a heartbeat echoing inside it, strong and wild.

-------

I expected pain. Too much pain when I hit the ground. But that feeling never came. instead I felt something soft underneath me..

I tried to open my eyes. The light was too bright.. Maybe I am in heaven? Maybe god finally had mercy on me and decided to ease my pain.

Slowly I opened my eyes.. maybe I would see sky and clouds? Or someone? Or something?

But what I saw was ceiling.. plain white ceiling like...

Like my bedroom? What the...

I blinked.. The blank ceiling staring back at me...

I gasped as I sat on the soft bed... I looked around with wide eyes.. Not believing in myself that I am alive.. Or is it just an imagination?

Just then there was a knock on the door, startling me...

"Come in.. "

I said and the door opened and the person who opened it shocked me the most..

"Good morning Princess... Up already? Come down for breakfast.. "

I froze in my spot until my eyes teared up..

"Dad... "

I let out a sob, thinking I went through a shitty nightmare.. Dad got puzzled and neared me..

"Oh my baby.. Are you okay? "

He said while pulling me into his arms as I sobbed harder.. It was such a horrible dream!

"What happened Aurelia? Are you okay? "

I took a deep breath and nodded...

"Yes dad.. I am fine.. Just... It's just that I had a very disturbing dream.. "

He nodded and wiped my tears..

"It's okay my baby.. You're fine and I'll never let anything happen to you ever! "

I smiled softly and nodded..

"Should I tell someone to bring your breakfast here? "

He asked but I shook my head...

"It's okay dad.. I'll come down in a while.. "

.

He nodded and left.. I breathed out in relief... Thank god nothing was real.. There is no way Owen would ever do that to me..

But why did I saw that dream? What was the meaning of it? Was it a warning ? Or my own mind messing with me?

I sighed and got out of the bed.. I was about to get in the washroom when the digital clock came to my view...

I frowned... This date... Today is my birthday? That too 21st? But why does it feel like so distant? I looked at the time.. It's 7:25 in the morning... As long as I remember, at 7:27, a maind will knock on the door with a present sent from Owen... It would be some chocolates and an apology letter..

The clock tick to 7:26 and I shook my head for even thinking it that way.. Just as I turned to go inside the washroom, a knock made me jolt in surprise.. My eyes darted towards the clock..

7 fucking 27....

With slow steps, I walked towards the door and opened it to only fine the same maid with a same looking bix in her hand..

"Good morning Ms Aurelia, this gift is sent for you.. "

The same fucking wrapper and the maid... But hey, it could be a coincidence..

"Thank you.. "

I said as I took the package.. Everything could be a coincidence till now but not the damn gift.. I closed and put the package on the bed before unwrapping it... My heartbeat getting faster as I opened the lid..

The contents inside my knees go weak and I fell on the carpet... This can't be serious...

I shook my head and I quickly freshed up and headed downstairs... Same smell of coffee filled the air.. As I looked for dad, he was wearing the same outfit as in my dream... He looked up at me and smiled before gesturing for me to sit with him.. As I stared at the table..

Same fucking dishes...

I felt nauseous only looking at them..

"You were saying that you wanted to tell me something about Owen today.. "

His face hardened just by the mention of his name...

"I.... Well.... It's just that Owen is trying hard.. That's it.. "

I remember how I requested dad for him... Not this time.. He looked up being a bit shocked..

"Just that? "

I nodded as I trued to take a bite of my food...

"And what about the fact that you like him? "

He asked directly and I stopped for a while.. After that dream or whatever it was, I have no fucking interest in going ahead with that idea..

"Not sure... Just rethinking about it.. "

I could see relief on his face..

"Okay... That sounds good.. Also happy birthday princess.. "

I smiled and took another bite but then stopped..

"Dad? "

He hummed in response..

"Will Theodore be here tonight? "

I asked him with eagerness pouring in my voice.. He looked at me shocked..

"How.. How did you know? "

I sighed in relief.. Theodore...

"Dad.. I want honestly answers from you.. "

I said being serious and he nodded, shifting uncomfortably in hus chair..

"What is the actual reason for you to go abroad? Was it really our business which needed help there if something else? "

I could see him sweating now and he didn't look at my way. He just kept quite

"Dad... ! I am asking you something! "

I pressed on more but he was reluctant to tell me about it..

"Ah... Some other day baby.. Some other day.. "

That being said, he got up before I could say something... I huffed in anger... I know for sure that he is hiding something from me.. What if it's the same reason?!

I got up too and walked up to my room..

Once I entered, the first thing I saw was the present Owen had sent me.. I don't know why but I grabbed it and tossed it in the bin..

Then another knock.. Another gift?

I opened the door and I was right... It was.. This time I didn't accepted it..

"Throw it away.. Any gift that comes from Owen shall be thrown away and brought to me.. "

It confused the maid but she said nothing and left... I took deep breaths but it didn't help at all.. Finally I opened the wardrobe and pulled out my mothers shawl and wrapped it around myself to find comfort...

"Mom... Is it my second chance in life? Am I reborn? "