Pain.
A chill that cut straight to the bone crashed into Lisette Cavendish like a wave, dragging her under.
Her eyes snapped open. But what met her eyes wasn't the filthy, freezing cold operating table in that underground hellhole-it was a room so luxurious it felt surreal.
This... this was the master bedroom of the Grandview Apartments. Her and Tobias Hastings' marital home?
No-that couldn't be right.
She'd died. She clearly remembered dying.
Dying in that godforsaken black-market clinic. Dying at the hands of the man she'd loved for ten years.
Her hands trembled as she reached for the nightstand and clutched her phone-the same one she'd used for three years.
The screen lit up.
May 1st, 2022.
What the hell? That was three years ago.
She had... actually come back. Come back three years into the past.
The Cavendish family was still doing fine, her adoptive parents were alive and well.
And she hadn't yet ruined everything with her foolish obsession, hadn't dragged the whole family into a nightmare just for a man who'd betrayed her in the most brutal way.
Her heart twisted as the memory of her death came flooding back.
That day, she'd been supposed to attend an award ceremony. But Maverick Ramsey handed her a glass of wine, and when she came to, she was strapped to a metal table, cold biting into every inch of her skin.
Her wrists and ankles had deep red marks from the leather cuffs holding her down. And Maverick-the man she once believed she'd spend her life with-stood there watching, expression colder than ice, ordering the doctor to cut her open and sell her organs.
She stared at him, completely shattered. "Why, Maverick? I loved you for ten years. I went against my parents for you. Hurt Tobias for you. Why would you do this to me?"
He smoothed the wrinkle from his sleeve casually, flashing her a gentle smile-the same calm smile she once fell for. But now, it chilled her more than the blade in the doctor's hand.
"Why? Lisette, you're still as naïve as ever."
He stepped closer, hand cold as death brushing her cheek as she trembled.
"You already divorced Tobias. You're not even a Cavendish by blood. Tell me, what good are you to me now?"
The words hit her like a blow to the head. Not a Cavendish?
What the hell did that mean?
Maverick bent down, whispering close to her ear, "It means you're nobody. Your real parents-no idea who they were. The Cavendishes just felt sorry for you and raised you. Oh, and one more thing-about that ‘car accident' your adoptive parents were in?"
He leaned in, voice low, calm.
"That was me. Personally made sure they didn't walk away. They begged to spare you till their last breath. Touching, isn't it?"
Her world collapsed. From the depths of her horror, she let out a guttural scream and started thrashing wildly.
"MAVERICK! I'LL KILL YOU! EVEN IF I DIE-I'LL COME BACK AND KILL YOU!"
"You're being too loud, Lisette."
Maverick frowned, visibly annoyed, and took a step back before glancing at the bloodstained doctor.
"Get started. And be careful-don't mess up the merchandise. The buyer paid top dollar for the organs. Can't afford any damages."Before she even figured out who that person was, a cold needle jabbed straight into her neck without warning.
Her strength drained away in seconds, her vision dimmed, and the last thing she saw was Maverick's cold, heartless stare.
"Ugh..."
Lisette clutched her neck, still feeling that icy sting and the breath-stealing despair that came with it.
She gasped for air, heart racing, sweat soaking through her silk pajamas in an instant.
Now that she'd come back-reborn with every painful memory still fresh-there was no way she was letting everything happen all over again.
She'd make Maverick suffer through every bit of hell he once put her through. She'd rip away everything he ever cared about.
And she would fix the damage she caused the Cavendish family... and make up for what Tobias gave and she never returned.
Just as those thoughts ran through her head, the bedroom door creaked open.
A tall man stood at the doorway-it was Tobias.
He was dressed sharp in a perfectly tailored black suit. His eyes landed on her, calm and unreadable. "You're awake? Great. Then go ahead and sign it."
He glanced toward the nightstand.
Lisette followed his gaze and finally noticed what sat there-a file.
Bold black lettering on the cover jumped out at her like a slap-
It was a divorce agreement.
Her chest tightened sharply.
It hit her.
This was the night-last time around-she'd made a scene just to prove her loyalty to Maverick. Told Tobias she'd rather die than stay married, threw a fit until he caved and drafted the divorce papers right then and there.
The moment she got them, she bolted. Like a bird finally let out of its cage, she ran headfirst into Maverick's arms, never realizing she'd just booked a one-way ticket to hell.
Tobias, seeing her quiet, figured she was starting her drama again. A flicker of fatigue and irritation passed across his face.
"Didn't you say you'd jump off a building if I didn't give you this?" he said flatly. "Well, here it is. Why hesitate now?"
He moved closer, holding out a sleek pen, his every move firm and final.
Lisette lifted her gaze to him.
Lit by the soft glow of the bedroom lamp, he looked almost unreal-sharp jawline, defined features, every inch the man she once feared.
Back then, she hated him-thought he was cold, overbearing, the man standing in the way of her so-called ‘true love.'
Now? She knew better.
This man had always loved her.
Even signing those divorce papers, he still left her enough money to last ten lifetimes, making sure she'd be okay.
Even when she died-alone, used and discarded-it was Tobias who hunted down the truth, who claimed her body, who made sure she was avenged.
She had been so blind. So, stupidly, hopelessly blind.
Guilt crashed over her, thick and suffocating, making her nose sting.
She didn't take the pen.
Instead, she shot out a hand and grabbed Tobias's wrist.
"Tobias..."
She looked up, eyes red but steady. Gone was the defiance, the disgust.
All that was left was her regret-and her choice.
"Can we... not get divorced?"
The room went still.
Tobias's eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across his face.
Lisette met his stare, drew a deep breath, and whispered, "I was an idiot. I got it all wrong."
"I swear, from now on, I'm done talking about divorce!"
