The morning sun streamed through lace curtains, casting delicate patterns over the carpet.
Celine sat at her vanity, fingers tracing the cool surface of the table.
She had not slept at all, her mind replaying every second of the night before—the betrayal, the fall, the cold indifference of the man she had once called her husband.
But when she looked into the mirror, she did not see a dying woman in a crimson gown. She saw the nineteen-year-old Celine Fallon. Skin untouched by sorrow, eyes still bright, lips unmarked by bitterness.
For a long time, she simply stared at her reflection, as though daring it to vanish.
Was it truly real?
Her trembling hands reached for the newspaper again, scanning the date.
The ink did not change. The truth was still there: she had gone back five years.
Her pulse steadied. Slowly, her lips curved upward.
So it's true. I have been reborn.
The knock on her door broke her thoughts.
"Celine, have you awaked?" Her mother's gentle voice carried through the wood.
Celine closed her eyes briefly.
In her past life, this same knock had filled her with warmth. She had clung desperately to her family's approval, even as they bartered her future away to secure the Fallon name.
Now, her heart remained calm.
"I'm awake," she replied softly.
The door opened, revealing Margaret Fallon, elegant as always in a silk morning gown. Her expression brightened with relief.
"Good, good. You know today is important, my darling. Tonight, the Chen family will arrive. It's your engagement dinner."
The words struck her.
In her last life, she had floated through that day in a haze of excitement, blind to the knife poised above her back.
This time, she would not walk blindly.
"I remember," Celine said, rising gracefully. Her tone was steady, so steady that her mother blinked in surprise.
Margaret studied her daughter for a moment.
Something about Celine's gaze felt different—colder, older. But she shook it off, smiling.
"Good girl. Make sure to behave. The Chen family's favor means everything for us right now."
Her mother's words were the same chains she had once worn around her neck.
This time, she only nodded faintly.
"I'll be ready."
——
Later that afternoon, the Fallon estate buzzed with preparation.
Servants bustled through the hallways, polishing silver, arranging flowers, adjusting seating charts.
Every detail was orchestrated to impress the Chens, as though tonight's dinner would determine the Fallons' very survival.
From the balcony, Celine watched the chaos below with calm detachment.
In her past life, she had been eager to please, running down to check on the flower arrangements, fussing over whether the wine was fine enough for Liams' taste.
Now she saw the futility of it all.
The Fallons had been so desperate to cling to their fading reputation that they had thrown her into the fire without hesitation.
And Liams Chen—he had accepted her as nothing more than a pawn in his endless climb.
But this time wouldn't.
"Celine!"
She turned slowly as her sister burst into the room.
Serina Fallon was only a year younger, but her beauty was the kind that turned heads effortlessly.
With her delicate features and carefully practiced sweetness, she was the darling of society.
And the viper hiding in her shadow.
In Celine's past life, Serina had smiled like this as she stood beside her coffin, crocodile tears glistening as she inherited everything Celine had lost.
Now, Celine saw her smile for what it truly was.
"Why are you just standing here?" Serina teased, slipping an arm through hers.
"Shouldn't you be more nervous? Tonight's the night you meet your future husband properly. Don't tell me you aren't excited?"
Celine tilted her head, studying her sister.
Her heart did not ache. There was no trace of the blind trust she had once clung to. Instead, a cold amusement stirred inside her chest.
"Excited?" Her voice was soft, almost mocking.
"Yes. Very."
Serina blinked, taken aback. For a moment, she thought she saw something sharp in her sister's smile, but the expression vanished before she could place it.
"Good," Serina said quickly, smoothing her dress.
"You mustn't embarrass yourself tonight. The Chens have high standards. And Liams…"
Her voice lingered dreamily. "He's a man everyone admires. You should feel lucky."
In the past, Celine would have flushed, nodding eagerly, soaking up every scrap of her sister's approval.
This time, she only gave a small, unreadable smile. "Yes. I'm lucky."
Inside, her thoughts were ice.
Enjoy this while you can, Serina.
The stage you're so desperate to stand on will soon collapse beneath your feet.
——
Evening descended swiftly.
The estate glowed under rows of lanterns, every corner polished to perfection.
A black limousine rolled up the drive, and the Fallon family lined the grand staircase to receive their esteemed guests.
Celine descended beside her parents, every step graceful, her crimson gown catching the light. It was the same gown she had worn in her past life—but this time, she wore it differently.
Not with timid hope, but with deliberate defiance.
The Chen family entered, their presence dominating the hall. And at their center was Liams Chen.
Celine's breath caught, though not from love.
He looked exactly as she remembered: tall, broad-shouldered, with eyes like obsidian, cutting and cold. His aura radiated authority, the kind that silenced rooms.
Once, she had seen him as a god.
Now, she saw only a man who had destroyed her.
"President Chen," Margaret greeted warmly. "Welcome to our home."
Celine's father stepped forward to shake his hand, fawning with barely concealed relief.
Then it was her turn.
Her heart did not race. Her lips did not tremble.
Instead, she lowered her eyes just enough to be polite, then lifted them with quiet, piercing calm.
"Mr. Chen," she said, her voice smooth, her smile enigmatic. "It's an honor."
For the briefest moment, his dark gaze faltered.
She was not the same blushing girl he remembered from their first meeting.
Something about her tonight was colder, sharper, as though she carried secrets he could not touch.
"Miss Fallon," he replied, his voice low. "Thats my honor."
Celine inclined her head gracefully, hiding the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.
Let him wonder. Let him question.
Because this time, the game had only just begun.