Reborn to Break Free

"Emergency rescue! There's been a nasty car crash on Meteor Street, and the victims are in bad shape!"

"Ma'am! Hang in there, the ambulance and cops are on their way!"

The air reeked of fuel, the car was a mangled wreck, and glass was everywhere.

Cecilia Medici could taste blood in her mouth, the metallic tang making her feel sick.

She'd never seen anything so horrific.

Her mind swam. 'What time is it? Why aren't the paramedics here yet? Was this deliberate?'

The young driver was sweating bullets, trying to keep Cecilia conscious, his hands covered in blood.

"Julian," Cecilia whispered, her face pale, lips dry, eyes dull.

The driver froze. Julian Russell, the most powerful man in Skyview City!

This was bad! The driver's hands shook as he fumbled for Julian's number, dialing frantically until he got through.

When the call connected, the driver blurted out, "Mr. Russell! Your wife's been in a car accident, the medics are too slow, she can't hold on much longer, please come save her!"

"Is that so? She's tougher than I thought. But I'm busy, call me when she's dead." Julian's voice was cold, dripping with disdain.

Before the driver could respond, Julian hung up.

Cecilia's last bit of hope vanished. 'Julian, do you really want me dead? Leaving me here to die without a shred of care?'

Blood kept flowing, and her vision faded to black. Finally, she stopped breathing.

Cecilia felt her soul drift away from her body. At twenty-five, she died in the emergency lane on Meteor Street.

She was the Medici family's only daughter, their treasure, loved dearly, but she fell for Julian and insisted on marrying him.

In the end, the Medici family fell apart, and she died miserably by the roadside.

As her soul floated away, she closed her eyes. If she could live again, she'd be her proud self.

Suddenly, a voice broke through. "Mrs. Russell, which dress would you like to wear for Mr. Russell's private party tonight?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Cecilia's eyes snapped open, filled with confusion.

What was going on? Wasn't she dead? Why was she in her and Julian's bedroom?

A sharp pain shot through her head, and she winced, holding her head in agony.

It came flooding back. The banquet. Four years ago. Julian hadn't planned to take her, but they were newlyweds, and it wouldn't look good publicly.

"Mrs. Russell! Mrs. Russell, are you okay?" Cleo Smith's worried voice reached her.

Cecilia snapped back to reality, looking at Cleo, and realized everything.

She'd been reborn! Back to four years ago!

With that thought, Cecilia calmed down. "I'm fine." She walked to the wardrobe, pointed to a luxurious golden evening gown, and smiled at Cleo. "I'll wear this one."

Cleo looked surprised, glancing between the gown and Cecilia, hesitantly saying, "Mrs. Russell, isn't this dress too flashy? Mr. Russell might not like it."

Cecilia shook her head and said firmly, "I like it. That's all that matters."

In her past life, she had diminished herself, contorting her personality and even her style to please Julian.

She knew there was a girl named Tamsin Brooks always hanging around Julian.

Tamsin was a college student, always dressed super plain, all in white. So, Cecilia had started dressing the same way, hoping to catch Julian's eye.

The result? Julian had brought Tamsin to the banquet. They'd both worn similar, simple dresses – one white, one off-white. Tamsin had been the belle of the ball. Cecilia, the laughingstock.

The memory stung. How utterly pathetic she had been. Blind and foolish. Julian despised her, and she'd wasted years trying to earn his affection.