As I sat there, sipping my coffee, I felt like I was drowning in my own misery. The world around me seemed to be suffocating me, draining the life out of my veins. "This world is killing me," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of my own despair. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision as I stared blankly into the void.

I was Nadera Valentina Lancaster, a woman trapped in a life I didn't want. Born to marry Adonis Montague, a man who made my skin crawl with his controlling nature and condescending attitude. The thought of him made my stomach turn. I felt like I was living a nightmare, and I couldn't wake up.

"Ugh, my head hurts!" I groaned, the pain radiating down my spine. It was like my body was rebelling against the very thought of my life. I felt like I was losing myself, like I was disappearing piece by piece.

Just then, a voice spoke up from the doorway, "Ms. Nadera, please take a rest first!" I turned to see a familiar face, but it was shrouded in confusion. "Who's there?" I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty.

The man gasped, and I heard him take a step closer. "I'm Teodoro Reyes, ma'am. I'm your family's butler." The name sparked something deep within me, a sense of déjà vu that left me feeling disoriented.

As I looked around, I realized I was in my old room. Memories came flooding back, memories I thought were long buried. "I thought this came to ashes when I left this mansion?" I muttered, my eyes scanning the room.

Teodoro approached me, a look of concern etched on his face. "Ms. Nadera, what do you mean by ashes?" He reached for the phone and dialed a number.

I turned to him, my mind racing. "Teodoro, what date is today?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"February 10, 1998," he replied, his eyes locked on mine.

My world came crashing down around me. I felt like I was given a second chance, a chance to relive my life.

"AHHHHH!!!!" I let out a scream, but it wasn't one of fear or pain. It was a mix of excitement, confusion, and joy. I was given a chance to rewrite my destiny, to make different choices.

As Teodoro spoke into the phone, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. I would not make the same mistakes. I would not marry Adonis Montague. I would forge my own path.

"Sir, I think the impact of the wooden bath on Ms. Navera is really concerning!" Teodoro's voice brought me back to reality. I raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on my lips. Was he mocking me? I didn't care. I was too busy planning my escape, planning my new life.

With a newfound sense of purpose, I stood up, my eyes locked on Teodoro. "Tell my father I'm taking a bath," I said, a sly smile spreading across my face. "And Teodoro?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Make sure the water is scalding hot. I want to feel alive."

As I sank deeper into the warm, soothing water, I felt my worries melting away, like sparkling droplets evaporating in the sun. The relief was exquisite, a sweet escape from the prison of my own making. A radiant smile spread across my face, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumphant joy. This was the moment I'd been waiting for – a chance to relive my life, to rewrite my destiny.

"Ms. Nadera, breakfast is ready," my loyal maid's voice chimed in, shattering the tranquility of the moment. I giggled at the interruption, feeling like a rebellious teenager again.

"I'm coming!" I replied, my voice melodious and carefree. The energy coursing through my veins was electric, a far cry from the apathetic person I used to be.

As I dried my hair, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My emerald green eyes sparkled with a newfound sense of purpose, and my raven-black hair cascaded down my back like a waterfall of night. My porcelain skin glowed with a soft, luminous sheen, and my plump lips curved into a gentle smile. I was a vision of beauty, and I had no idea.

I wore a cozy turtle neck dress, my messy bun held together with a few stray strands framing my face. A light dusting of makeup accentuated my features, and I felt like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.

But memories of my past life came flooding back, and my smile faltered. I remembered the fitting dresses and glittering parties, the shameless man who had captured my heart, and the stingy woman I had become. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I realized how far I had fallen.

As I ran downstairs, I was greeted by my mother's warm smile. She opened her arms, and I flung myself into her embrace, tears streaming down my face. "I really miss you, Mom!" I sobbed, feeling like a lost child again.

My mother held me tight, her soothing touch calming my frazzled nerves. "What do you mean, sweetie? We've always been close, even when you were sneaking out to parties," she said, her voice laced with confusion.

I pulled back, grinning from ear to ear. "Let's eat breakfast! I'm starving!" My mother beamed with pride, happy to see me eating again.

As we sat down to eat, my brother stumbled into the room, looking like a sleep-deprived zombie. His oversized T-shirt was stained, and he clearly hadn't showered in days. I raised an eyebrow, amused by his disheveled appearance.

"What are you waiting for? We're waiting for you in here," I teased, my voice dripping with sarcasm. My brother shot me a confused look, sneaking a glance at our mom, who just shrugged in response.

Dad walked in, smiling warmly at the commotion. "Good morning, everyone! I see we're all having a lovely time."

As we began to eat, I asked, "Dad, how's business?" Dad tilted his head, amused by my interest. "It's flowing well, dear. Why do you ask?"

I just smiled sweetly, not wanting to reveal too much. "No reason, just curious."

But then Dad dropped a bombshell. "Oh, and I almost forgot! The Montagues will be visiting next week for your birthday party. Make sure to choose the right man for you."

My heart sank, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. But I smiled defiantly, knowing I had the power to change my destiny. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll choose a man who will treasure me, not slander us."

As we finished breakfast, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I would forge my own path, one that didn't involve heartache and betrayal. The future was bright, and I was ready to shine.

"Ohhh!! And also, your sister is coming to your birthday party. It's been a long time since the two of you met each other. Some tragedy was created between you two, hope it won't happen again." The silence that was lingering between us was suffocating. "I hope we get along, even though I'm not your true daughter, but I still want to be one for this family." I broke the silence, trying to ease the tension.

Yeah, I was just their adopted daughter and the villain of this story. Back then, I was this girl who always went out partying because of one problem that proved they didn't want me as their family. We were celebrating my birthday when my sister just got home and changed everything. All the people greeted her instead of me. It was okay for me, but she went up on the stage and gave a warm welcome to everyone and declared that it was her welcome party. I was so shocked hearing it. "I-It's my birthday right now, what does she mean?" My classmate mocked me, knowing that it wasn't my birthday party. My crush, whom I invited, thanked me for inviting him so he could see my sister finally and witness my public humiliation.

All those memories of me kept lingering in my mind. The real tragedy is, I couldn't control my body right then. I ran onto her and gave her a big flying fist (I wasn't sorry about her, duh). Her pointed nose seemed fractured; she... I mean, she has a beautiful face, so it's expensive for treating her nose. That's why my family said the words, "We are not family, so don't expect us to be like we are back then!" My brother's voice made me shiver; my toes got weaker. I ran outside and found a club, and that's when I started being rebellious.

They seemed stunned by what I said. "That's never be happening, our sweetie. Don't think you're just adopted; besides, we love you so much." But those words never came up back then. Instead, you were cursing me for something I didn't do.

But I have a burden to this family. I'm the one who cost the fire to this place. My husband, Adonis, if I didn't marry him, it wouldn't have happened, because he's the one who set the fire at my empire. "I trust you all," that's the only words that came up to my mind because I was thinking of our meeting up with the Montague family. And a brilliant idea popped up to my mind. Malevola Kali Lancaster, the true daughter of the Lancaster family, will choose a man during my birthday. He likes Magnus Shahzaino Montague, half-brother of Adonis. They have the same father but different mothers. Back then, Adonis was the one I chose because he was the one who saved our family business. I didn't have a choice but to marry him instead, but now I'll marry Magnus Shahzaino Montague, the heir of the Montague Family.