Chapter 2 - Rebirth

"hmmm mm" the eyelashes of the woman lying on the bed flutters weakly as she wakes up. She opens her eyes and the glaring pink coloured room makes her shuts them instantly.

" Heaven really won't be pink right " Sophia murmurs with uncertainty. Recalling the moment of her death and the intense pain of being burnt, she shudders as tears spills from the corner of her closed eyes.

Moving her slender hands to her flat stomach, she thinks of her unborn child. Still lying in a daze while reminiscing this past, she noticed her waist is thinner than normal. Just like when she was a teenager. Uhhh, her hands paused as she opened her eyes with a jolt.

She raised her fair and slender hands up and looked closely, rising from the bed in shock, she looked around the pink room. " This this is my r-room" she murmurs in confusion.

She runs to the mirror to see her reflection, she sees a young woman in her twenties with an exquisite face, beautiful eyes like pools of clear waters framed by long dark lashes, her lips soft and full with a gentle curve of a bow, her long black hair frames her face, each strands shimmering like silk, flawless, milky and smooth skin. Her pyjamas hugging her slender body with soft contours.

" urghhh" Sophia gasps in shock and wonder, running her hands thought her face and body. This was how she looks five years ago, before she married Daniel, Did I come back in time? She search the bedroom frantically for her mobile phone and checked the date with shaky hands.

" 2-2023? " That was five years ago, the year she married Daniel. " Thirteenth of April"?? thinking hard, she exclaimed in shock

" Today is the day I'm supposed to marry Alexander Brooks " I'm back? I'm really back? Pinching herself hard, Sophia jolts in pain.

"I'm really not dreaming, I'm back" she laughs out hard, tears streaming down her smooth skin. " God is really merciful, I got a second chance." 

Accepting her rebirth, Sophia calms down and thinks of her current situation. In her previous life, she had threatened her father with suicide just to avoid her marriage with Alexander.

 In desperation, her father had called Olivia that day and asked her to marry Alexander in Sophia's place. She remembered the reluctance and forced acceptance of Olivia then and couldn't help but laugh at herself mockingly. She really can act.

" I'm going to take that which you so desire from you Olivia " her voice chilling cold "Alexander is just the beginning, you better be prepared for what's coming sister" she smirks as a light flashed quickly in her eyes.

A knock woke Sophia up from her thoughts. "Who's there" her calm voice echoed.

 " Miss, your father wants you ready and downstairs in 30 minutes" the maid said, hoping to leave as soon as possible. 

The whole manor knows how Sophia has been protesting against this marriage, that's why she's currently locked in her room since she tried to run away once. She really don't want to bear the "young miss" anger.

" I'll be there" Sophia replies. She stands up and entered the bathroom to get ready, thinking of the right decision to make.

'click click' Sophia's heels echoed as she climbs down the stairs, drawing the attention of her family who are waiting for her to depart for the registry. 

Seeing his daughter dressed up without making a fuss, Xavier nod appreaciatingly. "We are almost late, let's go, we shouldn't keep the Brooks waiting" he urges 

Seeing Sophia glammed up for the marriage, jealousy burns fiercely in Olivia's eyes.

 she turned to Sophia and said timidly "sister, I thought you said you don't want to marry Alexander Brooks? and that you have a man you love? Have you finally realized that father just wants the best for you?" She asked cunningly. 

Her eyes looking straight at Sophia's trying to capture her expression.

'She's supposed to throw a tantrum, isn't she in love with Daniel, why is she suddenly being docile and accepting to marry Alexander? He's mine!!!'

Before Sophia could reply, Xavier warns in a deep voice " what are you taking about Olivia?" the threat in his voice obvious "of course she loves Alexander and will marry him, don't cause trouble" he turns to Maria his wife, his eyes warning her to control her daughter.

" I just" Olivia tried to redeem herself but was cut off by Xavier who's had enough

 "enough" he bellows angrily, turns to his eldest daughter "Get in the car Sophia" 

Sophia, being denied the chance to even utter a word, watches the drama calmly and entered the car but not without giving Olivia a gentle smile which caused the latter to squeezed her fist tightly in anger. This is just the beginning Olivia.

Sitting in the car, Sophia ignored her father who's trying to admonish her to behave well and not ruin things for him. She thought about her marriage and wondered if it's the right decision. She had never met Alexander Brooks and didn't even know how he looks like but one thing that gave her assurance was from Daniel and Olivia's conversation in her previous life.

He never touched Olivia, that's why they planned to trick him into claiming the pregnancy, and the world only knew he's married but he never showed his wife, so it's obvious they don't have a good relationship. That's exactly what she wants, someone who won't interfere in her affairs. She calms down after reassuring herself.

Arriving at the court registry, Xavier rushed down while urging Sophia to hurry, entering the court, Sophia saw two men dressed in expensive suit, one sitting calmly while the other was checking his watch and tapping his foot impatiently. Upon noticing their arrival he raised his head and uttered in a deep voice laced with intolerance "you're late"

Sophia looked at the young man before her and couldn't help taking in a sharp intake of breath, he's so handsome. Well defined eyebrows over a set of hazel deep eyes, straight nose complementing the strong contour of his cheekbones, firm jawline and chin giving his face a chiseled quality, and his lips are neither too thin or too overly full and his walnut hair styled neatly framing his face. Sophia gulps as her eyes rakes his body openly

His broad shoulders and arms showing his muscles without a bulk, his firm chest and those long powerful legs oh my God!. 

Alexander frowns and looks at his "wife" to be, though she's beautiful but he feels disgusted with the way she blatantly checks him out. "As expected of a Bennett, all shameless " he mutters

Sophia snaps out of her daydream and embarrassingly cleared her throat. I can't believe I nearly drooled while checking a man out in public. Signing in embarrassment "now he probably thought you're a pervert Sophia" she murmurs to herself.

"Can we get this done and over with already" Alexander voices out impatiently. 

"Oops! Someone's got a temper" Sophia rolls her eyes 

After signing the marriage certificates and finalizing all proceedings, Alexander turns to leave immediately, his friend Mark who signed as a witness follows him. 

Xavier runs after him, dragging the dazed Sophia along, 'so I'm married once again' 

"Mr Brooks" Xavier smiles crookedly "now that we are family, the Bennet's __" 

" My assistant will reach out to you by Monday" Alexander replies, it's evident he's out of patience with this family. He enters the car quickly.

Xavier turns to Sophia, drags her to the other side and stuff her into the car with Alexander.

"You, follow your husband, you're now part of the Brooks" he cheekily says "see you on Monday Mr Brooks" Xavier says and runs off before Alexander gets a chance to refuse.

Abandoned by her father and stuck in the car with her new husband who's currently emitting a cold and dangerous aura, Sophia really wants to cry in desperation. Will you believe me if I say I don't want to share a space with you too? She signs weakly 

She turns to Alexander then gives a small smile " I guess I'll be going back with you husband" her tiny voice echoed. Blinking innocently at him while awaiting his reply.

Giving her a fierce glare, Alexander turns to the driver " drive" he utters coldly. 

Tsk! He really is Asura from hell, Sophia thought to herself.