"I'll probably return in the next few days. Make sure to clean the house and don't be lazy! Look after your siblings and the store, and don't let anyone buy on credit, or I'll deduct it from your allowance!" The woman finished speaking, tucked her lipstick case back into her purse, and tossed it into her crossbody bag.
She struck a few poses and smiled at her reflection, admiring her appearance. After blowing herself a kiss, she turned around, visibly satisfied.
"What do you think of this dress, Gianna?" Sofia did a light twirl, her red lips curving into a confident smile as she looked expectantly at the girl sitting on the bed. She was wearing a peach dress that complemented her olive skin tone well.
But for some reason, she still managed to look so gaudy.
Gianna pinched the space between her brows, a hint of annoyance in her eyes. With a sigh, she got down from the bed, stood in front of her mother, and removed the flashy necklaces from Sofia's neck.
Handing them over, she said calmly, "These are too chunky."
Sofia blinked, hesitating as she looked at the sparkling jewelry she'd bought just two days ago for this occasion. "But I paid $100 for these. My friends even said they'd look good on me..." she complained.
"Your friends lied to you, then," Gianna muttered, walking to the vanity to find more suitable jewelry for her mother.
In the process, her gaze drifted to the mirror, and her expression stilled for a few seconds but she quickly recovered.
Finally, she chose a pair of pearl earrings and a matching necklace—simple, understated, and just right for Sofia.
She helped her mother put them on, then took a step back to admire the effect.
"Alright, that's better."
Sofia tugged at the pearls around her neck, turned to look in the mirror, and couldn't help but admit it was indeed just right—subtle but perfectly complementary to her aura.
Gianna, meanwhile, climbed back onto the bed and pulled the blanket over herself, earning a sharp hiss from Sofia, who immediately began scolding her for being lazy again. Gianna simply pretended not to hear.
Before Sofia could say more, her phone chimed loudly, and she had no choice but to leave.
At the sound of the door shutting, Gianna finally opened her eyes, sitting up in bed. Her gaze was clear, wide, and alert.
She clutched her chest, feeling her heart pounding loudly.
She had been reborn.
Yes, she had come back to life—from Brianne Hathaway to Gianna Hathaway, an Eighteen years old girl living with her Italian single mother and siblings in a small neighborhood in San Francisco.
Brianne couldn't believe it.
She remembered vividly jumping off the cliff, but the next thing she knew, she was waking up in a new body, along with some of Gianna's memories.
But really…
She didn't even know what to think.
A sigh escaped her lips as she picked up the phone from the nightstand, turning it on to check the time.
"6:1..." Her words were cut off as the phone, despite showing a full battery, shut down unexpectedly.
Unable to sleep any longer, she got up and headed to the kitchen.
Noticing the clock in the corner, she saw it was 6:20—a early morning hour and the time the body's previous owner usually woke up.
Brianne made herself a cup of coffee, moving silently, and returned to the living room, where she turned on the TV, lost in thought.
The TV screen flickered, and the business news channel appeared.
Her eyes darkened and she tried to change the channel, but it was too late…
He appeared on screen, as if just waiting for her to turn the news on.
Tall, strong, powerful—his entourage stood behind him, holding an umbrella over his head. His eyes, a deep shade like the night, seemed to pierce through the screen, looking right at her.
"Miss Hathaway's incredible legacy will continue to inspire generations. Her contributions to our company and the entertainment industry are immeasurable. We'll honor her memory by ensuring her work lives on, and her impact never fades." Even his voice was full of charisma. He was one of the few people that can command you with their presence only.
He was the man she had fallen for at the peak of her acting career. He was the person she had looked up to, her secret husband... Sylus Grey.