Her Second Life

Chapter 2

I stared as we pulled up in a house and,no,calling it a house felt like an insult.

This was a mansion,no, an estate.Tall white pillars rose like royal guards at the entrance, holding up a balcony with carved railings that looked hand-sculpted. The walls were a soft cream stone, glowing under the afternoon sun as if polished daily and every inch screamed money… the kind of money I had only seen on TV.

A fountain sat in the center of the driveway, water cascading like liquid diamonds. The garden around it was perfect and flowers were arranged by color, rose bushes trimmed into neat shapes and fresh grass without a single brown patch and even the air smelled expensive and the cars…

Sleek black sedans,a silver luxury SUV,asports car that looked like it had never touched a regular road.

When we reached inside,it was even more grand.Glass chandeliers dripped light like crystals raining from the ceiling and marble floors stretched endlessly, polished so smooth that I could see my reflection. Gold detailing curled along the staircase rails, the walls, the frames of the giant paintings staring down at me.

A faint scent of roses floated through the air, mixed with something warm and delicate—like old money and quiet elegance.

Then the woman who I now learnt is my mother,Victoria Bennett was hovering around me like I might shatter.

“Careful, sweetheart.”

“Slow down. You’re still weak.”

“The doctor said you shouldn’t strain yourself.”

Her voice trembled every time she spoke, and her eyes were glistening with fear or relief,I couldn’t tell which. She kept touching my arm gently, like she was afraid I would disappear if she let go.

Just then,a crowd of people lined in the hallway in two neat rows,they were maids,butlers,guards and all of them were wearing matching uniforms assigned to them while bowing slightly and smiling widely.

“Welcome home, Miss Aria!”

Their voices echoed cheerfully at once and then balloons popped from above—soft pink, gold, and white—floating down like confetti. Someone had even hung a banner across the railing of the grand staircase:

WELCOME HOME, MISS ARIA.

My chest tightened and I couldn't say anything.

All of this… for me? Or for the girl whose body I was now in?

The maids clapped lightly and looking at their faces,some even looked like they were holding back tears. I forced a tiny smile as my heart raced and bowed lightly at them meanwhile I could see the confusion on their faces.

Victoria,my “mother”—squeezed my hand proudly, then guided me upstairs and the moment we reached my room, I stopped breathing. The space was bigger than any apartment I’d ever seen.Soft curtains were draped down from a high ceiling, glowing under warm golden lights and a massive bed sat in the center, covered with silk sheets the color of champagne. There were plush pillows everywhere,so many that it felt like sinking into clouds would be easy.

A vanity table lined with perfumes, diamond-studded brushes, and neatly arranged makeup trays sat on one side. On the other, a walk-in closet with glass doors showed rows of designer dresses and shoes.

The whole room smelled faintly of vanilla, roses, and something luxurious I couldn’t name.

“This… is so unreal,” I whispered under my breath.

“Honey,rest a little,take your bath and then come down for dinner,okay”Victoria said as she stroked my hair.

“Okay,ma'a…mom.” I corrected myself immediately.

After she left the room,I lay on the bed carefully and the silk cooled against my skin.

“Wow,so soft,I have never laid in a bed like this before.”

I rolled across the bed like a child seeing snow for the first time and then I saw a giant framed portrait on the far wall.

Aria Bennett.

The girl whose life was now supposed to be mine. She had perfect hair and makeup, even a perfect posture. She looked bold and elegant in the portrait and her expression screamed "Bow before me."

I stared at her for a long moment and raised my chin while copying her pose.

“…Does this even look right?” I whispered while adjusting the angle of my chin and my shoulder. I tried again and again. I practiced her cold and confident expression and somehow got it.

I sat up and my eyes landed on the closet door. Curiosity tugged at me, and I padded across the room.

Inside was a wardrobe large enough to be a small apartment,I saw racks of designer dresses stood in perfect rows—silk, lace, glittering fabrics I had only seen celebrities wear on TV,shoes filled the shelves like artwork, arranged by color and perfumes with names I couldn’t pronounce lined a marble vanity.

As I was ruffling through the closet,a soft knock came

“Miss Aria?” A maid stepped in with a gentle smile. “Your bath is ready.”

“Okay.”

She led me into a bathroom that looked like something from a goddess’s palace. The tub was wide, white, and carved like a smooth stone basin while steam floated softly above the water.

The water itself was milky white and the surface shimmered with floating petals and tiny golden flakes. It looked more magical than real.

Then the maid explained in a shy tone:

“We mixed milk into the bathwater, equally balanced with essential oils. Rose, lavender, and almond. It will soften your skin and help your body relax.”

“All this for just a bath? No wonder, Bennett girl's skin looks so soft and smooth.” I muttered under my breath.

Before I could move, the maid stepped closer and her hand tried to reach the hem of my shirt.

“Miss, allow me to undress you—”

“What? No!” I jumped back instinctively, clutching the fabric of my clothes. “I—I can do it myself.”

She froze with her eyes wide while looking at me in confusion.

“But… I always assist you with your baths,” she said.

Her expression was innocent and worried at the same time like she thought she offended me.

I forced a shaky smile.

“No. It’s fine. I… I just want to do it myself.”

She hesitated, then bowed quickly.

“Of course, Miss Aria. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

When she left and closed the door softly behind her, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

“This world… This life…nothing about it felt normal.,not even taking a bath.” I said as I shook my head and entered the bath and”Wow again, it's just the right temperature.” I said as I sinked even lower.