All Chapters of After I Died, He Truly Panicked: Chapter 11 - Chapter 16

Regina’s POVI turned around slowly, already knowing who I’d find.Frederick Harper stood behind me, his curly brown hair slightly disheveled from the breeze. His hazel eyes had that same look I’d seen a thousand times before, like he was trying to figure out if I was falling apart again.He was still wearing his work clothes—dark slacks and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. There was a slight crease between his eyebrows, the one that appeared whenever he was worried about my health.“Yes, Mr. Doctor,” I replied lightly, letting a small smile play on my lips.Frederick’s expression relaxed immediately, the worry lines smoothing out. “Good. You know I can always tell when you’re not taking care of yourself.”“Uncle Frederick!” Mia shrieked, releasing my hand and launching herself at him.Frederick caught her easily, scooping her up and spinning her around once before settling her against his hip. Mia giggled, wrapping her small arms around his neck like she

Maxwell’s POVThe bedroom door slammed behind me. Another eighteen-hour day fighting to keep the company from drowning. The Veyron Group had stolen another project this morning—their third this month.My shoulders ached, my head pounded, and all I wanted was to collapse into bed and forget the world existed.Someone sat on my bed.My heart stopped beating.White silk nightgown. The one I’d bought Regina for our first anniversary, the fabric so fine it was almost transparent.Dark hair fell over bare shoulders, hiding the face from view. The silk clung to every curve, outlining the shape of breasts, the dip of a waist, the line of hips that I’d traced in the darkness of this very room, leading to long and slender legs.For one impossible moment, time collapsed. Five years disappeared.She was here, waiting for me like she used to, wearing that nightgown that made her look like some kind of goddess. The scent of her perfume seemed to fill the air, the dark rose and patchouli that used t

Regina’s POVMy phone lit up with Frederick’s name. I picked it up while adjusting the burgundy gown in front of my bedroom mirror.“Good morning,” his voice came through warm and familiar. “Big day today.”“Very big.” I smoothed the silk fabric over my hips. The deep red color made my skin look porcelain white, and the cut hugged every curve without being too obvious about it. “Are you nervous for me?”“Terrified,” he admitted. “But not because I don’t believe in you. I’m terrified because I know exactly what you’re capable of when someone crosses you.”I laughed despite the knots in my stomach. “That’s oddly comforting.”“Just remember—you’re not that broken girl anymore. You’re Regina Veyron, and you own half the city.”“I’ll remember.”After we hung up, I pinned my black hair into soft waves that fell over one shoulder. The style was elegant but not too formal. Professional but still feminine. I wanted to look like money—old money that didn’t need to try too hard.A knock on my do