Chapter 1

Pain.

Searing, tearing pain.

My body felt like it was burning from the inside out, every vein on fire. I knew this feeling. This was how I died in my past life.

Matteo's eyes gleaming with excitement as he forced me to drink those potions.

"Don't worry, my dear wife," he'd said gently. "This is just a small experiment."

My body broke down piece by piece - first my fingers went numb, then my entire arm lost feeling.

I begged him to stop, but he just smiled and recorded my reactions.

Wait.

I jerked awake, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Where was I?

I looked toward the window. Castle towers pierced the sky, and Mediterranean sea breeze carried the scent of salt. The Torrente family crest hung on the stone wall.

I sat up, hands trembling.

This was Torrente Castle.

I examined my hands. No needle marks, no purple bruises from toxins. My skin was smooth as a newborn's.

I was reborn.

Actually reborn.

I remembered the final scene before my death. When they found Marco, he was already dead - he'd chosen to drink poison rather than let Matteo's drugs control him. That's when I finally understood I'd chosen the wrong man in my past life.

Gentle Matteo was the devil.

Cold Marco was the one who truly protected the family.

Now I had a chance to start over.

I walked to the vanity. The woman in the mirror was twenty-one - exactly the day Valentina and I were sent to the Torrente family for the arranged marriages. Tonight was the blood oath ceremony where we would choose our husbands in the family chapel.

In my past life, I thought I was unlucky when Valentina pushed me toward Marco.

This time, I knew the truth.

Footsteps echoed outside my door.

"Lucia, it's time to prepare."

A maid's voice.

I took a deep breath and composed myself. This time, I would actively control my own destiny.

Walking down the corridor, I encountered Valentina.

She wore a white gown, her golden hair braided into an elaborate style with pearls woven through it. She looked like an angel.

"Sister, are you nervous?" she asked with a sweet smile.

Before I could answer, I heard something strange.

This time I have to get the safe choice - Matteo! Let Lucia deal with that cold bastard Marco!

I froze.

The voice came from inside Valentina's head, but her lips hadn't moved.

Last time I married Marco and nearly got beaten to death. I can't make the same mistake again.

My heart raced.

She was reborn too. And I could hear her thoughts.

"Lucia? You look pale." Valentina's concerned expression didn't match what I was hearing in her mind.

Is this idiot scared? Perfect. The more frightened she is, the easier it'll be to stick her with Marco.

I kept my voice steady. "Just a little nervous."

"That's understandable," Valentina patted my hand. "Whatever happens, we have to accept fate's arrangement."

I don't care who you marry, as long as I don't get stuck with Marco.

I smiled coldly to myself. Sister, you're still as selfish as ever.

We walked together toward the chapel. The castle corridors stretched endlessly, lined with portraits of past family patriarchs whose painted eyes seemed to judge everyone passing beneath them.

The chapel was filled with important members from both families.

Nonna Isabella Torrente sat in the front row. Marco's grandmother and the family's true power broker. Though seventy-six years old, her eyes remained sharp as a hawk's.

Two men stood at the altar.

Marco Torrente, twenty-six, the family heir. Black hair, dark eyes, wearing a black suit. He looked cold as stone, but I knew that was just a facade. In my past life, he'd rather die than compromise the family's principles.

Matteo Torrente, twenty-four, Marco's half-brother. Brown hair, gentle smile, wearing a navy suit. If I didn't know the truth, I'd be fooled by his appearance too.

The priest began reciting blessing words, then gestured for us to approach.

"According to the agreement between our families," the priest announced, "the two Rosetti daughters will each marry one of the Torrente sons. Now, please make your choices."

Valentina immediately stepped forward.

"I choose Matteo." Her voice was clear and firm.

Ha! Got him! This gentle man must be easier to deal with than that cold Marco.

I heard her mental victory celebration.

All eyes turned to me.

According to protocol, I should look disappointed or afraid since the "dangerous" Marco was all that remained.

But I didn't.

I walked toward Marco and looked into his eyes.

"I accept this arrangement."

Marco glanced at me, surprise flickering across his features.

She doesn't seem scared. Interesting.

So he'd noticed.

The priest declared the ceremony complete. Tomorrow would bring the formal weddings.

As people began leaving, I prepared to follow Nonna Isabella out when I passed close to Matteo.

Finally finished. This Valentina looks like she'll make a good experimental subject for testing new drugs.

My blood turned to ice.

So that had been his plan from the very beginning. In my past life, he'd tortured me mercilessly, got me addicted to drugs, kept me completely under his control.

This time it was my dear sister's turn. I didn't know if keeping quiet was right or wrong, but I knew one thing - from childhood, this so-called sister of mine had always taken good things away from me.

Even after being reborn, she still wanted to steal what she thought was the better husband.

I chose to act as if I'd heard nothing and continued walking. But my mind was already calculating.

This life, I absolutely wouldn't let Matteo succeed.

Since heaven had given me a second chance and this mind-reading ability, I would use them well.

This time, I would be the one controlling destiny.