#Start writing Marathon. THE BRIDE WHO REWROTE FATE

Chapter 1: The Cold That Kills Slowly Cold was not merely the absence of warmth. It was a presence. A living, breathing thing that crept beneath skin, coiled around bone, and whispered of endings. Lian Yue learned that in the dark. The prison cell reeked of damp stone and forgotten lives. Water dripped somewhere in the distance—slow, rhythmic, like a clock counting down the last moments of a dying soul. Her soul. She could no longer feel her fingers. At some point, the pain had vanished. Replaced by something worse. Numbness. Her body lay curled on the ground, thin robes offering no protection against the merciless winter that seeped through the walls. Chains hung loosely from her wrists. Not tight. Not necessary. She no longer had the strength to move. “…Water…” The word barely formed on her lips. No one answered. No one ever did. Once— That would have been unthinkable. Once, she had lived in halls of gold. Once, servants bowed at her presence. Once, she had believed herself loved. A weak laugh escaped her throat, dry and broken. Loved. The memory burned hotter than any fire. Lanterns glowing. Music echoing. Laughter. Her husband standing before a crowd— Elegant. Perfect. Untouchable. Raising a cup of wine. “To the one who understands me.” Not her. Never her. Her gaze had followed his. Had found— Su Meilin. The sister she chose. The friend she trusted. The woman who smiled as she accepted everything Lian Yue had once called hers. A violent cough tore through her chest. Blood stained her lips. “So foolish…” she whispered. She had mistaken kindness for loyalty. Gentleness for truth. And love— For something that had never existed. Her vision dimmed. The cold tightened. If there is another life… Her fingers twitched. Just once. I will not love him. I will not trust her. Her breath slowed. Faded. And this time— I will win. Darkness claimed her. Chapter 2: The Day Fate Broke Sound came first. Bright. Sharp. Alive. “…Miss! Miss, please wake up!” Lian Yue’s eyes snapped open. Air rushed into her lungs. Warm. Too warm. She gasped, sitting upright— And froze. Silk. Her hands were wrapped in silk. Soft. Delicate. Real. Her heart began to pound. No chains. No cold. No darkness. Slowly— She turned. And saw herself. Reflected in polished bronze. Young. Unbroken. Dressed in red. A bride. Her breath caught. “No…” Her voice trembled. This was impossible. But the room— The scent— The light— It was all too familiar. “Miss,” her maid said nervously, “the ceremony is about to begin.” Lian Yue’s fingers tightened. Today. Of all days. Today. Her wedding day. The beginning of everything. Or— This time— The end of it. Chapter 3: The Bride Who Refused The corridor outside her chamber buzzed with quiet urgency. Servants moved swiftly. Silk rustled. Jewelry chimed softly with every step. Everything was prepared. Everything was perfect. Everything was wrong. Lian Yue stood before the mirror, unmoving. The red bridal gown shimmered like flame, embroidered with golden phoenixes that seemed ready to take flight. In her previous life, she had worn it with trembling excitement. With hope. With foolish, fragile hope. Now— She saw it for what it was. A cage. “Miss…?” her maid whispered hesitantly. “It’s time.” Time. The word echoed strangely in her mind. Time had ended for her once already. And yet— Here she stood again. Alive. Her fingers slowly lifted, brushing against the edge of the mirror. The girl staring back at her… Still had everything. And knew exactly how it would all be taken away. A slow breath filled her lungs. Steady. Controlled. “Bring me the veil,” she said. The maid blinked in surprise—but obeyed quickly. Moments later, Lian Yue stepped out. The courtyard was filled with guests. Nobles in fine robes. Officials in formal attire. Eyes turned toward her the moment she appeared. Whispers followed. Soft. Curious. Admiring. Just like before. At the altar— He stood waiting. The Crown Prince. Tall. Refined. Every inch the perfect heir. The man she once loved enough to die for. The man who had watched her die without lifting a hand. For a moment— Their eyes met. And something flickered across his expression. Recognition? No. Interest. As if noticing something… different. Good. Let him wonder. Let him feel it. Lian Yue walked forward. Each step measured. Each breath calm. The ceremonial words began. “…a union blessed by heaven…” “…a bond eternal…” Lies. All of it. Her gaze shifted slightly. There— Among the guests— Su Meilin. Smiling softly. Eyes bright with false warmth. The same smile she wore when everything was stolen. Heat rose in Lian Yue’s chest. Not panic. Not grief. Rage. Cold. Controlled. Enough. The officiant raised the ceremonial bouquet. “Bride, step forward—” Lian Yue moved. But not toward him. Her hand lifted. And then— She let the bouquet fall. It hit the ground with a soft, unmistakable thud. Gasps rippled through the courtyard. The music faltered. Silence followed. Heavy. Shocked. “Lian Yue,” the Crown Prince said, voice low, warning beneath the calm, “what are you doing?” She turned. Slowly. Deliberately. And looked at him. For the first time— Not with love. Not with admiration. But with complete, unmasked indifference. “This marriage,” she said clearly, “will not happen.” The world stopped. Chapter 4: The Man She Chose Instead The silence cracked. “Have you lost your mind?!” someone whispered loudly. “This is treason—” “Stop her!” But no one moved. Because no one understood what they were witnessing. Not yet. The Crown Prince’s expression hardened. “You will explain yourself,” he said coldly. Lian Yue didn’t even look at him. Instead— She turned. And walked away from the altar. Every step sent waves through the crowd. Shock turned to confusion. Confusion turned to fear. Because this wasn’t rebellion. This was something worse. Control. She stopped. Before him. Shen Kael. The general stood slightly apart from the others. Uninvited. Unbothered. Unmatched. His dark robes contrasted sharply against the brightness of the ceremony. His presence— Like a blade hidden in shadow. In her previous life, she had barely understood him. Had avoided him. Had feared him. This time— She saw him clearly. The only man who never pretended. His eyes met hers. Calm. Unreadable. “…Careful,” he said quietly. “You’re about to start a war.” A faint smile touched her lips. “I know.” A pause. Then— She extended her hand. “Marry me instead.” Gasps exploded across the courtyard. Even Shen Kael went still. For the first time— There was something in his eyes. Surprise. “…You don’t even know me,” he said. “I know enough.” “And what is that?” “That you won’t betray me.” The words hung between them. Heavy. Absolute. Something shifted. Deep. Silent. Then— A slow, dangerous smirk formed on his lips. “…You’re either very brave,” he said, “or very foolish.” Her gaze didn’t waver. “Take the risk.” A long pause. The entire court held its breath. And then— He took her hand.