The cold air pricked Elena Carter's skin as she jolted awake, gasping for breath. Her hands clutched the silk sheets beneath her, the fabric too soft, too familiar. The scent of fresh jasmine lingered in the air, a fragrance she hadn't smelled in years.
Her heart pounded. This room this bedroom was impossible. It no longer existed.
She threw the blankets off and stumbled to the floor. Her hands trembled as they traced over the velvet curtains, the carved mahogany dresser, the vanity mirror where a delicate hairpin gleamed.
A hairpin Dominic had gifted her.
Dominic Sinclair.
Memories flooded her mind like a tidal wave. The betrayal. The humiliation. Her step-sister, Lily Carter, clinging to Dominic's arm with a sly smile. The jeering whispers of high society as Elena had been cast aside like a used rag.
And then… the accident.
She remembered the cold, hard pavement. The blinding headlights. The sharp, searing pain
But she was here. Alive. Breathing.
Elena's fingers curled into fists. She whirled around, eyes searching for a reflection, for proof that this was real
And what she saw in the mirror stole her breath.
She was young again.
Her face was softer, untouched by suffering. Her long, chestnut hair cascaded down her shoulders, thick and glossy. There were no dark circles beneath her eyes, no lines of exhaustion.
Tears burned at the edges of her vision. This wasn't a dream. This wasn't an illusion.
She had gone back in time.
She staggered toward the dresser, fumbling for her phone. Her fingers hesitated before unlocking the screen. The date displayed in bright, unforgiving numbers.
Five years ago.
The day of her engagement party.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. The day she had proudly accepted Dominic's proposal, believing he loved her. The day she had unknowingly signed away her life, giving up everything for a man who would never be hers.
A cruel fate had given her a second chance.
This time, she wouldn't beg for love.
This time, she wouldn't be the fool.
This time, she would take back everything that was stolen from her.
The Engagement That Never Happened
A knock on the door made her spin around.
"Elena, darling! Are you awake?"
Her stepmother's voice—syrupy sweet, laced with poison.
Elena's jaw tightened. Five years ago, she had adored this woman, believing she was her loving mother figure. Lies. Miranda Carter had never been her mother. She had been a vulture, circling her inheritance, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Elena?" the voice pressed, irritation seeping through. "You need to start getting ready for the engagement party!"
Elena's nails dug into her palms. Not this time.
She strode to the door and yanked it open. Miranda's perfectly painted smile wavered at Elena's cold expression.
"Elena, sweetheart, what's wrong?"
"I'm not getting engaged to Dominic," Elena said flatly.
Miranda blinked. Then, she laughed. "Oh, don't be silly. It's just pre-wedding jitters—"
Elena stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Listen carefully," she murmured, her voice lethal. "There will be no engagement. Not today, not ever."
Miranda's smile froze. "Elena, you—"
"I know everything," Elena whispered. "About you. About Lily. About Dominic."
Miranda's face drained of color.
Elena tilted her head. "Don't worry, Mother. I won't ruin the party." Her lips curled into a chilling smile. "But I'll make sure everyone remembers it."
Then she shut the door in Miranda's face.
Let the real game begin.
Elena stood in front of her vanity mirror, her mind racing. What was the next move?
Five years ago, she had walked into that engagement party like a lamb to the slaughter. This time, she would be the one holding the knife.
She yanked open her wardrobe. The dress she had originally worn that night—a delicate champagne gown—hung at the center, a symbol of her past weakness. She shoved it aside.
Instead, she reached for something bolder. A dress that commanded attention. Blood red. Off-the-shoulder, hugging her curves, screaming power rather than submission.
As she slipped it on, her reflection transformed. The innocent, love-struck girl was gone. In her place stood a woman ready to destroy anyone who stood in her way.
She curled her lips into a smirk. Let's see Dominic ignore me now.
The Party – A Different Beginning
The grand Sinclair estate glittered under the chandeliers, the hall filled with high society elites sipping champagne. This was supposed to be the night she officially became Dominic Sinclair's fiancée.
Elena stepped through the entrance, her heels clicking against the marble floor. A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned toward her.
"Elena?"
Dominic's voice was laced with surprise.
She turned to him, her smile as sharp as glass. "Dominic."
He stared at her, taken aback. Five years ago, she had approached him timidly, clinging to his arm like a lovesick fool. Tonight, she stood tall, her confidence radiating.
"You're late," he said, masking his unease.
"I wasn't sure I wanted to come," she replied, tilting her head.
Dominic frowned. "What do you mean?"
Before she could answer, a sickeningly familiar voice cut in.
"Elena, I'm so happy you're here!"
Lily Carter.
Elena's stepsister floated toward them, wearing the same fake smile she always did. Five years ago, Elena had believed that smile.
Never again.
"Elena, I was worried about you." Lily pouted, slipping her arm through Dominic's. "Are you okay?"
The sheer audacity made Elena's blood boil.
Lily, who had spent years pretending to be a caring sister, only to steal Dominic behind her back. Lily, who had whispered lies into Dominic's ear, turning him against her.
Elena smiled—a slow, dangerous smile.
"I'm more than okay, Lily," she said smoothly. "But you might not be by the end of the night."
Lily's face twitched, but before she could respond, Dominic cleared his throat. "Elena, let's talk in private."
Five years ago, she would have followed him eagerly.
Tonight, she took a step back. "No."
Dominic blinked. "What?"
"I said no," Elena repeated, her voice cool. "In fact, I should make an announcement."
She turned to the room, lifting her glass.
"Thank you all for coming tonight," she said, her voice carrying through the hall. "I know you were all expecting a wonderful engagement celebration."
A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.
Dominic stiffened beside her. "Elena, what are you doing?"
She ignored him.
"But," she continued, letting the suspense build, "there won't be an engagement tonight."
Gasps. Murmurs. A stunned silence followed.
Dominic's face darkened. "Elena, stop this nonsense—"
She turned to him, her smile never faltering. "I'm not marrying you, Dominic."
The room exploded into chaos.
After the Storm – A New Beginning
Elena strolled out of the Sinclair estate with her head held high, ignoring the desperate calls of her stepmother and Lily.
Her heart pounded with exhilaration. She had done it. She had rewritten history.
But this was only the beginning.
She needed power. Wealth. Protection.
And there was only one man who could give it to her.
A name whispered through her mind.
Alexander Reid.
The most ruthless CEO in the country.
She had never met him in her past life, but she knew one thing—if there was anyone capable of crushing the Sinclairs beneath his feet, it was him.
Elena smirked.
It was time to make a deal with the devil.