A team of medical specialists rushed across the room, working frantically to save the patient—the beloved daughter of the renowned businessman Jonathan Miller.
Eveline Miller had fallen from her residential building and was hospitalized in a critical state. She was virtually lifeless, her body battered from the impact, a severe head injury causing a rapid loss of blood. Despite the doctors' best efforts, she remained unresponsive to treatment.
As the medical team struggled to revive Eveline, her soul drifted away from her body.
"Where am I?" Eveline murmured, glancing around the unfamiliar space before her gaze landed on the motionless form lying on the hospital bed.
It took her a moment to recognize herself.
Panic surged through her as she rushed toward the doctor administering CPR.
"Please don't stop! Don't give up on me!" she pleaded, her voice desperate. But no one heard her. No one saw her.
They weren't God, and they couldn't bring back the dead.
"No… I can't die. I won't let them relish in my death." Her voice trembled as images of betrayal flashed before her eyes—the cruel smirk on Tiffany's face as she shoved her off the balcony, and the cold, detached stare of her husband, Gabriel, as he stood by and did nothing.
It was then that the horrifying truth struck her.
Her so-called best friend and the man she had loved since childhood had conspired to kill her.
Eveline had always dreamed of marrying Gabriel, despite the rumors that his heart belonged to another. She had ignored the whispers, convinced herself they were false, and pursued him anyway. But one night changed everything.
A reckless encounter led to a forced marriage, orchestrated by her father, Jonathan, who compelled Gabriel to take responsibility. Gabriel resented her for it. He never wanted the marriage, never hid his disdain. But he had no choice—his father, Richard Winston, had been Jonathan's closest friend and held Eveline in high regard.
For years, Eveline had tried to win Gabriel's affection. She endured his indifference, clung to the rare moments when she thought his icy exterior was thawing. And then, after three years of a loveless marriage, she had conceived his child.
She had believed, naively, that the baby would change things. That Gabriel would finally look at her as more than an obligation.
But now, everything was gone—her life, her child, and the last shred of hope she had clung to.
And the ones responsible were the very people she had trusted the most.
Eveline wept as she stood beside her lifeless body, watching the last light fade from the room.
"If I had another chance… I would never let them destroy me."
A single tear slid down her cheek as darkness consumed her.
---
"Wake up, Young Miss! You're going to be late for class."
Eveline jolted awake, her heart pounding. The voice was familiar, painfully so.
Her breath caught in her throat as she turned, her wide eyes landing on Susan—her nanny.
Impossible.
Eveline's fingers clenched the sheets. Her surroundings were unmistakably familiar. She was in her childhood bedroom.
"How…?" she whispered.
"If you're feeling unwell, I should inform Master," Susan said, her expression etched with concern. She reached out to check Eveline's forehead, startling her with the touch.
Eveline sucked in a sharp breath.
She was alive.
Not just alive—she was young again.
Her pulse thundered as realization dawned.
She had been reborn.
"I'm fine," Eveline said hastily, grabbing Susan's wrist before she could leave. "It was just a nightmare, nothing more."
Susan eyed her skeptically but nodded.
As soon as the door shut, Eveline pressed a trembling hand against her chest, trying to steady her racing heart.
A second chance.
God had granted her a second chance.
This time, she wouldn't be a fool blinded by love.
Throwing off the covers, she rushed to the bathroom, glancing at the calendar on the wall. The year. The date. Everything aligned with her past life.
She was twenty again.
Freshly enrolled in Aspen College, working toward her Master's in Finance—right before the chain of events that would eventually lead to her downfall.
Eveline's chest tightened.
Jonathan.
Her father had loved her dearly. What would he have done if he had found out about her death?
The mere thought made her stomach twist.
She descended the stairs to find him at the breakfast table, scanning the headlines of the newspaper.
For a moment, she simply watched him.
The strong man who had always shielded her. The father who had unknowingly pushed her into the arms of a man who never wanted her.
"Eve?"
His deep voice jolted her from her thoughts.
Without hesitation, Eveline rushed to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his frame.
Jonathan stiffened before exhaling with a chuckle. "What's this? You're usually not this affectionate so early in the morning."
Eveline clung to him, savoring the warmth of his embrace.
"Are you sure you're alright? Susan said you looked unwell," he continued, his tone laced with concern.
She quickly stepped back. "I'm fine. It was just a bad dream."
Jonathan studied her, but when she offered no further explanation, he let it slide.
She couldn't tell him the truth. No one would believe her.
After finishing breakfast, Eveline left for Aspen College, her emotions a tangled mess.
Seeing herself return to college felt surreal.
The towering gates of Aspen loomed ahead, the car rolling to a stop in front of the grand building.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out.
"Eve!"
Eveline stiffened at the all-too-familiar voice.
Speak of the devil…
She turned, masking her distaste behind a carefully controlled smile as Tiffany approached her, feigning innocence.
"Why didn't you pick me up today? I waited for you at the bus stop," Tiffany whined, standing before her with a pout.
Eveline resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Tiffany had always latched onto her, using their friendship to climb Aspen's social ladder. Eveline had never realized how deep her deception ran—until it was too late.
"I forgot to tell you," Eveline said smoothly. "My car broke down. I had to wait for another one to pick me up."
Tiffany huffed. "You could've at least called. I had to take the bus."
Eveline's lips twitched. "It must have been nostalgic for you. After all, you took the bus for years before we met."
Tiffany's expression faltered.
Suppressing her amusement, Eveline added, "Anyway, I have something to do before class. Go ahead without me."
Before Tiffany could protest, Eveline walked away.
She had no intention of playing the fool this time.
Deep in thought, she rounded a corner—only to collide with a firm chest.
She stumbled back, steadying herself as she looked up.
And her breath hitched.
Gabriel.
The man who had once been her world—only to become her executioner.
But this time, things would be different.
This time, she would be the one in control.