Chapter 1 

Chapter 1 

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Juliette Vaughn couldn’t believe it–she had actually traveled back in time. Back to when she was 23, the night before her wedding to Finn Montgomery. 

That night had been the start of her downfall, a nightmare so vivid it had haunted her ever since. 

Before her time travel, Finn–the man she’d loved with everything she had–had personally sent her to her death. Slowly, cruelly. First, he toyed with her emotions, tearing her apart bit by bit. Then, he let the fire consume her, standing by as the flames swallowed her whole. 

“Bianca dreams of you killing her, Juliette,” he’d said, his voice cold and emotionless, like the chill of death itself. “You’ve always hated her because I chose her over you. But now, I’m going to end your life exactly the way she dreamed. She won’t have nightmares anymore. She’s fragile, and she needs me to protect her. As for you? Burn. Disappear.” 

Juliette had looked at him through the fire–the man she had loved, the man she would have given everything for–and only then did she truly understand. His heart had never been hers. 

It had always belonged to Bianca, the girl she’d grown up with. Her “sister.” 

Bianca had always been good at playing the part of the sweet, innocent underdog. “Sis, your dancing is amazing. I’ll never be as good as you.” 

“Your singing? It’s like heaven. I’ll only embarrass myself if I try, Sis.” 

“You’re so talented, so gifted. Compared to you, I’m just nothing 

Every “Sis” was a knife, deliberate and calculated, cutting deeper and deeper into Juliette’s heart. And the world? It lapped it 

1. up. 

“You’re the Vaughn family’s princess. You have everything–money, status, Finn. Poor Bianca has nothing. Can’t you let her have just a little?” 

And so, Juliette had let everything go–her talents, her passions, the things that had once made her shine–until all of it became Bianca’s. 

The world only saw her as the untouchable heiress, blind to the truth: she’d been stripped of everything that mattered. 

Even her own family started to believe the lies. Bianca became the golden child, while Juliette faded into the background. A name. A title. Nothing more. 

She had smiled through the pain, but now, as the flames consumed her, tears streamed down her face. The hatred inside her burned like a raging wildfire, untamed and ready to explode. 

It wasn’t just heat–it was a raw, searing pain, clawing at her skin tearing through every nerve, and leaving her soul scorched. The rage cut so deep it hurt to breathe. It was suffocating, merciless, impossible to push down. There was no stopping it, no escape. All she could do was let it rip through her, wild and unyielding, like a storm hell–bent on destruction. 

When Juliette opened her eyes, she was underwater. Freezing. Suffocating. The lake’s icy currents wrapped around her like chains, dragging her down, but she forced herself to stay calm. Her mind was razor–sharp, clearer than ever before. 

11:37 Wed, Jan 29 BB. 

Chapter 1 

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Tonight was mother’s birthday banquet. The Vaughn mansion was ablaze with lights, alive with guests. Bianca, 

her claiming the crowd was stifling, had invited Juliette for a walk in the backyard. 

But it was all a setup. While Juliette’s back was turned, Bianca had shoved her into the lake. 

And then, in her signature performance, Bianca had jumped in after her, ready to play the victim and frame Juliette as the villain. 

As the pieces clicked into place, Juliette fought against the icy water, clawing her way to the surface. Her hands gripped the stone edge of the lake, her nails scraping against the rough surface as she pulled herself up. Water streamed down her shaking arms, pooling at her feet. 

By now, her elder brother, Evan, had already pulled Bianca out. He was holding her close, his voice soft, his hands gentle as he comforted her like she was made of glass. 

Light bathed them in a warm glow, a picture of familial love and care. Perfect. Fake. 

They’d both fallen into the water, but he had sayed Bianca first. His own blood sister? Left to drown. 

In her past life, this same brother had given Bianca everything. His love, his trust, the Vaughn family business. She had thanked him by betraying them all and throwing herself into Finn’s arms. 

Juliette climbed to her feet, standing on the stone platform. Her drenched clothes clung to her skin, and water pooled around her, shining in the dim light. 

“Juliette!” Evan’s voice cut through the night, sharp and full of anger. “You’re about to marry into the Montgomery family and become a wealthy wife. Why can’t you leave Bianca alone? 

+23) 

“You’d rather risk your own life just to drag her down with you? How can you be so heartless? You’re a disgrace to the Vaughn family!” 

Drag her down? Heartless? A disgrace? The same accusations, word for word, as her last life. Back then, she’d woken up too late. 

The story had already been written. She’d been branded as the jealous, vindictive villain, while Bianca was the innocent, helpless victim. 

Evan draped his jacket over Bianca’s shoulders, then stormed toward Juliette, his face twisted with rage. “Bianca has treated you like her real sister her whole life. She’s always put you first, and this is how you treat her? Apologize. Right now!” 

He reached for her, his intention clear: to drag her to her knees if she didn’t comply. 

But Juliette didn’t move. Instead, her hand shot out and caught his wrist midair. 

Evan froze, startled. He tried to pull away, but her grip was like iron. Eyan froze, startled. He tried to pull away, but her grip was like iron. 

“Evan, don’t blame Juliette. It’s my fault… I couldn’t stop her. I tried, I really did. Blame me Bianca’s soft, trembling voice cut through the tense air, delicate and drenched in guilt. 

Her words, full of self–blame, were designed to evoke pity, and they worked. Evan’s chest tightened at her pitiful tone, a surge of protectiveness overtaking him. But then his gaze shifted to Juliette. 

Her ice–cold face, the mockery in her eyes, her complete lack of remorse–it was infuriating. His guilt turned to rage in an instant, burning hot and uncontrollable. 

11:37 Wed, Jan 29 BB. 

Chapter 1 

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“Juliette!” he barked, his voice sharp and unrelenting. “Apologize to Bianca right now!” His free hand twitched with the urge to slap her, to knock some sense into her, but her grip on his wrist was like a goddamn vice. 

If she wasn’t holding him back, she’d already be on her knees. She needed to learn that Bianca wasn’t someone she could treat like this. 

Juliette, however, wasn’t even fazed. Her calm, unwavering stare met his furious glare head–on. “Apologize?” she repeated, her tone almost amused. “Tell me, will that fix anything? Will it make you feel better? Because this isn’t just some spat between sisters, Brother. This is attempted murder. That’s not something an apology can cover. People like her? They belong in prison.” 

Evan’s eyes narrowed, his anger flaring hotter. “You really think won’t fucking do it?” he spat, his voice low and dangerous. “Oh?” Juliette raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint, defiant smirk. “Then what are you waiting for? Do it.” 

Her words were like fuel on the fire. Evan’s jaw clenched. He’d completely forgotten the bigger picture the family’s plan to marry Juliette into the Montgomery family to secure more power and resources. All he could think about now was the blatant disrespect, the audacity in her tone. “Of course I will!” he snapped, the words coming out louder than intended. 

“Good.” Juliette’s icy tone cut through the air as she tightened her grip on his wrist one last time before letting go–only to shove him backward with enough force to make him stumble. 

At 6’1“, broad and muscular, Evan wasn’t used to being manhandled, but he had to steady himself quickly to avoid falling flat on his ass. His face turned an ugly shade of red, a mix of humiliation and anger boiling in his veins. 

Juliette didn’t even glance his way. Calm and composed, she pulled her dripping phone from her pocket. It was the latest waterproof model–still functioning perfectly, of course. 

Without hesitation, she wiped off the screen and unlocked it, her slender fingers moving deftly. The faint glow of the phone reflected off her pale, water–soaked face, making her look even colder, more untouchable, like she’d been carved out of ice. 

“You’re seriously checking your phone right now?” Evan exploded, his disbelief turning into unrestrained fury. “Are you fucking kidding me? Do you even have a heart?” 

Evan, the eldest heir of the Vaughn family, the future head of Vaughn Group, was used to being respected. Obeyed. Even Juliette, stubborn as she could be, had never dared to cross him so blatantly before. 

But tonight? She was tearing through every boundary he’d ever set, and it was driving him insane. 

Unbothered, Juliette finally glanced up, her voice as calm as even “Brother, yelling won’t change anything. The surveillance cameras caught everything–how Bianca and I ended up in the lake. If someone’s going to jail…” 

Her gaze turned sharp as a blade, her tone dropping to a lethal chill. “You’d better keep your word, Mr. Vaughn.” 

Bianca’s composure cracked. Panic flashed in her eyes for the briefest moment before she quickly masked it. Her nails dug into her palms as she forced herself to stay calm. 

‘No. She’s bluffing,‘ she thought. She’d made sure the cameras had been taken care of before she acted. There was no footage. There couldn’t be any footage. 

Juliette’s just messing with me,‘ she thought. 

11:37 Wed, Jan 29 

Chapter 2 

Chapter 1 

Chapter 1 

9 

75% 

(+23) 

Juliette Vaughn couldn’t believe it–she had actually traveled back in time. Back to when she was 23, the night before her wedding to Finn Montgomery. 

That night had been the start of her downfall, a nightmare so vivid it had haunted her ever since. 

Before her time travel, Finn–the man she’d loved with everything she had–had personally sent her to her death. Slowly, cruelly. First, he toyed with her emotions, tearing her apart bit by bit. Then, he let the fire consume her, standing by as the flames swallowed her whole. 

“Bianca dreams of you killing her, Juliette,” he’d said, his voice cold and emotionless, like the chill of death itself. “You’ve always hated her because I chose her over you. But now, I’m going to end your life exactly the way she dreamed. She won’t have nightmares anymore. She’s fragile, and she needs me to protect her. As for you? Burn. Disappear.” 

Juliette had looked at him through the fire–the man she had loved, the man she would have given everything for–and only then did she truly understand. His heart had never been hers. 

It had always belonged to Bianca, the girl she’d grown up with. Her “sister.” 

Bianca had always been good at playing the part of the sweet, innocent underdog. “Sis, your dancing is amazing. I’ll never be as good as you.” 

“Your singing? It’s like heaven. I’ll only embarrass myself if I try, Sis.” 

“You’re so talented, so gifted. Compared to you, I’m just nothing 

Every “Sis” was a knife, deliberate and calculated, cutting deeper and deeper into Juliette’s heart. And the world? It lapped it 

1. up. 

“You’re the Vaughn family’s princess. You have everything–money, status, Finn. Poor Bianca has nothing. Can’t you let her have just a little?” 

And so, Juliette had let everything go–her talents, her passions, the things that had once made her shine–until all of it became Bianca’s. 

The world only saw her as the untouchable heiress, blind to the truth: she’d been stripped of everything that mattered. 

Even her own family started to believe the lies. Bianca became the golden child, while Juliette faded into the background. A name. A title. Nothing more. 

She had smiled through the pain, but now, as the flames consumed her, tears streamed down her face. The hatred inside her burned like a raging wildfire, untamed and ready to explode. 

It wasn’t just heat–it was a raw, searing pain, clawing at her skin tearing through every nerve, and leaving her soul scorched. The rage cut so deep it hurt to breathe. It was suffocating, merciless, impossible to push down. There was no stopping it, no escape. All she could do was let it rip through her, wild and unyielding, like a storm hell–bent on destruction. 

When Juliette opened her eyes, she was underwater. Freezing. Suffocating. The lake’s icy currents wrapped around her like chains, dragging her down, but she forced herself to stay calm. Her mind was razor–sharp, clearer than ever before. 

11:37 Wed, Jan 29 BB. 

Chapter 1 

75% 

Tonight was mother’s birthday banquet. The Vaughn mansion was ablaze with lights, alive with guests. Bianca, 

her claiming the crowd was stifling, had invited Juliette for a walk in the backyard. 

But it was all a setup. While Juliette’s back was turned, Bianca had shoved her into the lake. 

And then, in her signature performance, Bianca had jumped in after her, ready to play the victim and frame Juliette as the villain. 

As the pieces clicked into place, Juliette fought against the icy water, clawing her way to the surface. Her hands gripped the stone edge of the lake, her nails scraping against the rough surface as she pulled herself up. Water streamed down her shaking arms, pooling at her feet. 

By now, her elder brother, Evan, had already pulled Bianca out. He was holding her close, his voice soft, his hands gentle as he comforted her like she was made of glass. 

Light bathed them in a warm glow, a picture of familial love and care. Perfect. Fake. 

They’d both fallen into the water, but he had sayed Bianca first. His own blood sister? Left to drown. 

In her past life, this same brother had given Bianca everything. His love, his trust, the Vaughn family business. She had thanked him by betraying them all and throwing herself into Finn’s arms. 

Juliette climbed to her feet, standing on the stone platform. Her drenched clothes clung to her skin, and water pooled around her, shining in the dim light. 

“Juliette!” Evan’s voice cut through the night, sharp and full of anger. “You’re about to marry into the Montgomery family and become a wealthy wife. Why can’t you leave Bianca alone? 

+23) 

“You’d rather risk your own life just to drag her down with you? How can you be so heartless? You’re a disgrace to the Vaughn family!” 

Drag her down? Heartless? A disgrace? The same accusations, word for word, as her last life. Back then, she’d woken up too late. 

The story had already been written. She’d been branded as the jealous, vindictive villain, while Bianca was the innocent, helpless victim. 

Evan draped his jacket over Bianca’s shoulders, then stormed toward Juliette, his face twisted with rage. “Bianca has treated you like her real sister her whole life. She’s always put you first, and this is how you treat her? Apologize. Right now!” 

He reached for her, his intention clear: to drag her to her knees if she didn’t comply. 

But Juliette didn’t move. Instead, her hand shot out and caught his wrist midair. 

Evan froze, startled. He tried to pull away, but her grip was like iron. Eyan froze, startled. He tried to pull away, but her grip was like iron. 

“Evan, don’t blame Juliette. It’s my fault… I couldn’t stop her. I tried, I really did. Blame me Bianca’s soft, trembling voice cut through the tense air, delicate and drenched in guilt. 

Her words, full of self–blame, were designed to evoke pity, and they worked. Evan’s chest tightened at her pitiful tone, a surge of protectiveness overtaking him. But then his gaze shifted to Juliette. 

Her ice–cold face, the mockery in her eyes, her complete lack of remorse–it was infuriating. His guilt turned to rage in an instant, burning hot and uncontrollable. 

11:37 Wed, Jan 29 BB. 

Chapter 1 

3 

75% 

+23 

“Juliette!” he barked, his voice sharp and unrelenting. “Apologize to Bianca right now!” His free hand twitched with the urge to slap her, to knock some sense into her, but her grip on his wrist was like a goddamn vice. 

If she wasn’t holding him back, she’d already be on her knees. She needed to learn that Bianca wasn’t someone she could treat like this. 

Juliette, however, wasn’t even fazed. Her calm, unwavering stare met his furious glare head–on. “Apologize?” she repeated, her tone almost amused. “Tell me, will that fix anything? Will it make you feel better? Because this isn’t just some spat between sisters, Brother. This is attempted murder. That’s not something an apology can cover. People like her? They belong in prison.” 

Evan’s eyes narrowed, his anger flaring hotter. “You really think won’t fucking do it?” he spat, his voice low and dangerous. “Oh?” Juliette raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint, defiant smirk. “Then what are you waiting for? Do it.” 

Her words were like fuel on the fire. Evan’s jaw clenched. He’d completely forgotten the bigger picture the family’s plan to marry Juliette into the Montgomery family to secure more power and resources. All he could think about now was the blatant disrespect, the audacity in her tone. “Of course I will!” he snapped, the words coming out louder than intended. 

“Good.” Juliette’s icy tone cut through the air as she tightened her grip on his wrist one last time before letting go–only to shove him backward with enough force to make him stumble. 

At 6’1“, broad and muscular, Evan wasn’t used to being manhandled, but he had to steady himself quickly to avoid falling flat on his ass. His face turned an ugly shade of red, a mix of humiliation and anger boiling in his veins. 

Juliette didn’t even glance his way. Calm and composed, she pulled her dripping phone from her pocket. It was the latest waterproof model–still functioning perfectly, of course. 

Without hesitation, she wiped off the screen and unlocked it, her slender fingers moving deftly. The faint glow of the phone reflected off her pale, water–soaked face, making her look even colder, more untouchable, like she’d been carved out of ice. 

“You’re seriously checking your phone right now?” Evan exploded, his disbelief turning into unrestrained fury. “Are you fucking kidding me? Do you even have a heart?” 

Evan, the eldest heir of the Vaughn family, the future head of Vaughn Group, was used to being respected. Obeyed. Even Juliette, stubborn as she could be, had never dared to cross him so blatantly before. 

But tonight? She was tearing through every boundary he’d ever set, and it was driving him insane. 

Unbothered, Juliette finally glanced up, her voice as calm as even “Brother, yelling won’t change anything. The surveillance cameras caught everything–how Bianca and I ended up in the lake. If someone’s going to jail…” 

Her gaze turned sharp as a blade, her tone dropping to a lethal chill. “You’d better keep your word, Mr. Vaughn.” 

Bianca’s composure cracked. Panic flashed in her eyes for the briefest moment before she quickly masked it. Her nails dug into her palms as she forced herself to stay calm. 

‘No. She’s bluffing,‘ she thought. She’d made sure the cameras had been taken care of before she acted. There was no footage. There couldn’t be any footage. 

Juliette’s just messing with me,‘ she thought. 

11:37 Wed, Jan 29 

Chapter 2