Reborn As Your Regret

The last thing Lena Hart heard was the flat beeping of the heart monitor. The first thing she felt was the rain. Lena gasped as the cold air filled her lungs with moisture. Her bare feet felt the smooth cold marble and there was a buzzing chandelier above her. Wait. I’m back! I actually died. I’m back on the day he ruined me. Lena stood on her tippy toes in the lobby of Vance Tower, her foot shaking in her hand and her silk dress bunched up in her fist. Sweat dripped down the back of her neck. Looking down at the reflection in the floor she saw her 24 year old face. No IV lines marked her flawless skin and her hands were no longer pale and paper thin. Her mascara was smudged beneath her large wild eyes. I know this dress. I know this place. I know tonight. Her phone buzzed. Midnight. Don’t be late. —S.V. Lena swallowed. She had seen this message five years ago. He was going to propose! He broke her. [ DING ] A pale blue screen popped up. [SYSTEM ONLINE] [HOST: LENA HART. CAUSE OF DEATH: UNREQUITED LOVE] [REBIRTH COMPLETE. WELCOME TO YOUR SECOND CHANCE] Lena laughed. “You’re kidding me.” [THE SYSTEM DOESNT KID. GO TO FLOOR 50.] “Of course.” She wiped her face with her wrist. Her heart was racing in her throat. “Of course I get a time limited miracle from a dead woman.” The elevator doors opened to reveal a brass and mirror filled room. The scent of bourbon, cedar and rain filled the air. In her first life this scent meant home. Now it meant her grave. She travelled up fifty floors. Outside the world flew past her in streaks of gold and neon. The city sparkled like her jewellery box. She knew every location on his map. The glass penthouse in Beverly Hills she had waited three nights for. The ballroom in Las Vegas he had signed the billion dollar deal with his back to her. And the little bed in Boston where she had died. But this time she wouldn’t. Lena straightened her back and took off her last heel. She wanted her feet on the marble. She wanted to feel the ground of the Empire she had fallen. The doors opened to reveal a dark hallway. At the end there was a mahogany door with a sliver of amber light. She pushed the door open. Silas Vance didn’t look up. Silas was sat behind his desk with a glass of bourbon in his hand. Only one lamp lit his face casting harsh shadows. He was wearing a black suit, white shirt and no tie. Everything about him was perfect, neat and expensive. Behind him was a wall of glass. Fifty stories of rain. “You’re late.” His voice was deep and gentle. He never raised his voice. Everyone fell silent when he entered a room. Lena’s heart skipped. Inhale. You’ve already died. You can handle a man in a suit. “Traffic.” He finally glanced up. His grey eyes were colder than the floor. His eyes swept over her. Her messy hair, bare feet and shoe in her hand. Something flickered in his eyes. “You walked here. Barefoot?” “I like the floor.” His fingers stilled. Perfect. He stood up slowly. Like a predator. He walked around his desk and the scent of bourbon and cedar filled the air. Her knees went weak. No. Even though she knew everything her body reacted. His warm hands, the way he stared. She hated how her heart raced. He stopped two feet away from her. She had to tilt her chin up. Predator and prey. You were always the prey. “Lena.” He said her name like it was a sentence. “You know why you’re here.” There it was. In her first life she cried. She grabbed his sleeve. “Please Silas. Whatever I did I’ll make it right.” He gently took her fingers from his sleeve. “You’re a lovely chapter... but a chapter nonetheless.” Those were the words she took to her grave. Her nails dug into her palm. “Tell me.” His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Pardon?” “Tell me why I’m here.” Rain tapped against the glass. A siren sounded far below. His eyes narrowed. He was expecting her to cry. It made her tingle. “We’re done.” His voice was flat. “My family expect me to marry a certain type of woman. You’re not her. My assistant will sort out a settlement for you. You’ll have an apartment and a stipend. You won’t go hungry.” Except you. Except the man who promised he would never leave. The words hit her like they always did. Her eyes watered. She noticed his hand. His left hand was by his side. His fingers were curled tightly. His knuckles were pale. In her last life she never looked down. He isn’t calm. He has something in his hand. Why? His phone lit up. Camille Laurent: Did you do it? Please say you did. 💕 Lena read it upside down in seconds. Camille. Her stomach twisted. Her childhood friend with watery eyes and a gentle voice. Soon she would wear her work like a second skin. Not yet. But soon. [ DING ] [TARGET: SILAS VANCE. REGRET LEVEL: 0%] [HOST IS IN UNSTABLE STATE. SUGGEST TAKING ACTION.] Take action? Haha. Of course. Take action while the man who will ruin me watches me like a deal. Her toes curled. Cold solid ground. I’m alive. I remember everything. He doesn’t. A warmth filled her chest. She was scared but also attracted. Something new filled her. Something with the taste of iron and rain. Second Chance. Whatever. This time you will plead with Silas Vance. She stepped forward. The warmth of him surrounded her. “Say it again.” His jaw tightened. "I beg your pardon?"Say you’re done with me.” She tilted her chin up. “Look me in the eye.” Something dark flickered in his grey eyes. Irritation, interest and hunger. “Lena.” He said gently. Warning. She smiled. This wasn’t her usual smile. There was no hope or pleading. This was the smile of a woman who had died once before and had nothing to lose. “Go on.” For the first time in his life he hesitated. His throat bobbed. His fingers shook. He whispered something that shouldn’t come from a breakup. “Not like this... Not yet.” Yet? The room spun. The rain pounded. Her blood ran cold. Yet? The blue screen flashed in front of her. So bright she flinched. [MISSION STARTED] [ MISSION: DONT AGREE TO HIS BREAK UP ] [ REWARD:+10 LIFE POINTS. THESE ARE NOT POINTS. THESE ARE DAYS. ] [ MAKE THE TYRANT REGRET. ] Lena held her breath. Days. My life. He just referred to them as days. Across the desk Silas Vance looked at her like he had just seen her die. He had no memory.