Reborn to Be the Billionaire's Fiancée

Chapter 1: The Knife and the Vow "Go to hell, Vivian Shen!" The scream came just as Vivian turned her head. A flash of silver. Then pain—sharp, shocking, and deep. The blade pierced her chest with brutal force. Her breath caught, her body froze. Blood soaked her wedding gown, staining the silk crimson. It bloomed like a grotesque flower over her heart. She staggered. Around her, screams erupted. Someone in the crowd yelled, “She’s been stabbed!” Panic exploded. Chairs overturned. Heels clattered. Gasps, shouts, chaos. Vivian's knees gave way. She dropped to the floor in a daze, clutching at the slick handle now buried in her chest. The woman in front of her fell too—on purpose, on instinct, Vivian wasn’t sure. But her attacker was right there, eyes wide, lips twisted. “Vivian…” Vivian choked. Her voice trembled. Her fingers, soaked in blood, closed weakly around Vivian’s hand still gripping the knife. “Why?” Yvonne Shen—her cousin, her supposed sister—shivered under the contact, her expression feral. “This is justice,” Vivian spat. “You were never meant to live the life that should’ve been mine! You think you deserve him? The marriage? The love? No, Vivian. You don’t deserve any of it!” The betrayal sliced deeper than the knife ever could. Vivian had been raised as a sister. Vivian’s parents had died in a crash when she was just a child. It was her uncle and aunt who had taken her in. Vivian was their only daughter. They grew up together like siblings—until today. Vivian’s vision blurred. The pain in her chest grew cold. She was supposed to be getting married today—to the heir of the Aldridge family. A perfect match. A perfect day. Now her groom stood frozen, paralyzed by shock, not even trying to help. “Vivian… why…” she whispered again, but her voice faded. And then, a gunshot cracked through the air. Vivian’s eyes went wide in disbelief. A bullet struck her square in the forehead, her body collapsing next to Vivian’s in a lifeless heap. The two women lay side by side—blood mingling, fates sealed. As darkness swallowed her, Vivian heard a voice—cool, calm, and close. "Yvonne Shen, go to hell—and apologize to your sister when you get there." When Vivian opened her eyes again, everything was wrong. Or… right? Warm hands shook her lightly. A familiar voice spoke, sweet and scolding. “You two are unbelievable—falling asleep while we're discussing your future husbands? Wake up!” Light flooded her vision. Vivian blinked hard. She was back in the old living room of her uncle’s house. Everything was as it was years ago—before the wedding, before the betrayal. “What do you think, girls? The Ashbourne heir or the Aldridge son? Both offers are excellent.” Her aunt’s voice was gentle, teasing. Vivian stared, stunned. That was Lillian Shen. Alive. Smiling. Petting Vivian’s cheek. “Yvonne, sweetheart, wake up.” Vivian jolted upright. Her eyes darted around the room in disbelief. “Mom?” she whispered, then pinched her own face hard. “What are you doing?” Lillian Shen frowned, grabbing her hand. “You’ll bruise yourself.” Vivian didn’t answer. Instead, her eyes snapped to Vivian—sharp, calculating, alarmed. Vivian stared back, heart pounding. She’s been reborn too. The realization hit instantly. Vivian's next words confirmed it. “I want to marry into the Aldridge family!” she announced with sudden glee. Everyone in the room froze. Lillian Shen blinked. “You—what?” “I’ve thought about it. I want to marry into the Aldridges,” Vivian said again, louder this time. Then she turned to Vivian with a sweet, dangerous smile. “You don’t mind, right, little sister?” Vivian’s heart twisted. But her face remained calm. “Of course not. Elders choose first.” Vivian’s expression flickered—relief, victory, something feral beneath it. But Vivian was no longer the naive girl from before. She remembered it all. Vivian had chosen the Ashbournes in their last life—marrying Alexander Song, the feared and untouchable heir to one of the most powerful families in the country. But their marriage was a disaster. Vivian, spoiled and headstrong, had clashed with him at every turn. They fought constantly, lived separately, and when rumors spread about their cold war of a marriage, Vivian’s reputation was in shreds. Meanwhile, Vivian had been the one engaged to the gentle, terminally ill heir of the Aldridge family. Everyone thought her blessed—her fiancé doted on her, loved her deeply, and gave her the most extravagant wedding the city had ever seen. Eventually, the Aldridge family rose from decline to dominance again, and Vivian was praised as the lucky bride who brought them back to power. But only Vivian knew the truth. Behind the wealth, behind the gentle mask… the Aldridge household was a snake pit. One she had barely escaped from—only to die at the hands of the very girl who was now smiling at her. If Vivian wanted that life, she could have it. Vivian would never make the same mistake twice.