Veronica's POV
Liana looked like she'd seen a ghost. She screamed and dove into her mother's arms. "Ah, it's a ghost... a ghost, Mom..."
"Are you human or a ghost?"
Caspian's voice shook with panic. I could see him remembering—after that fire five years ago, they'd found a burned corpse in the ruins. They thought it was me, and terrified of police questions, they rushed to cremate and bury what remained.
Now, seeing me standing here, terror filled their faces.
"She's not a ghost! Ghosts don't have shadows! Is it really Veronica? Could she still be alive?" Whitney gasped.
"That's right! I'm Veronica, and I'm very much alive!"
Five years ago, Javion died in my place.
Unlike the broken, desperate girl who fled five years ago, I now stood steady, unafraid.
The past burned in my memory—every brutal lesson carved in blood had shaped who I'd become.
My heart had turned to steel, unbreakable and cold.
For my mother, for the Caspian Family, for Javion, and for myself—every blood debt would be paid in full.
I stood before them, my icy stare sweeping across their stunned faces. "I'm back from the dead. Disappointed?"
Whitney recovered first, plastering on that fake warm smile. "Oh my goodness, Veronica's really back! You didn't die—how wonderful! You have no idea what your father and I have suffered these years. We thought you were gone, and we've been mourning ever since."
Such bullshit.
Just as sickening as always.
Mourning? More like celebrating my supposed death until now.
"I don't see any signs of grief. Actually, once my mother died, Aunt Whitney couldn't wait to marry my father. Now your whole family's living the dream. Dad's a business mogul, and Aunt Whitney, you're a wealthy socialite. How glamorous."
My biggest regret was that two months after I left, my mother passed away. I couldn't return for her funeral—couldn't even see her one last time.
How did my mother die?
I would find out.
The people standing before me were definitely involved.
Whitney tugged Caspian's sleeve, snapping him from his daze. He asked, "Veronica, you didn't die... where have you been all these years? Why didn't you come back?"
Caspian put on his concerned father act, but inside he was shaking. From the look in my eyes, he knew I wasn't here for a family reunion.
Why had I suddenly returned? What did I want?
A cold smile curved my lips as I glanced at Liana. "Well, I'm here now, aren't I? Just in time for my sister's wedding."
Liana scrambled up from the floor, apparently forgetting all the horrible things she'd done to me five years ago. She smiled hopefully. "Veronica, are you serious? Would you really marry Leonardo in my place?"
"Of course. I've been gone five years. Now that I'm back, I should do something for The Bogart Family to repay all the hard work Dad and Aunt Whitney have done for me."
Every word dripped with sarcasm, my tone bitter as poison.
Truth was, I'd returned today with one goal: to marry Leonardo.
Whether Leonardo lived or died, I was going to marry him.
Caspian's expression wavered, but he answered smoothly, "I'm glad you feel that way. If you're willing to marry instead of your sister, then it's settled."
My agreement to marry solved their biggest problem. After all, the astrological chart belonged to me, so it was more appropriate for me to walk into the fire.
Soon, a servant hurried in. "Master, Madam, the Nelson Family's car has arrived! They're here for the bride!"
"Good, good. Tell them we'll be ready shortly!"
The wedding dress prepared for Liana was quickly brought to me. I put on the veil and was escorted from The Bogart Family mansion.
The Nelson Family—the most powerful of Aurelia City's five great houses—sent a convoy of over a dozen Rolls-Royces for the bride.
I was placed in one of the luxury cars, and the convoy pulled away.
——
After the convoy disappeared, Whitney rushed back inside and said to Liana, "Perfect! Now that wretched girl has taken your place, you won't have to marry him and become a widow!"
"I heard Leonardo doesn't have long to live. Veronica will be a widow soon enough!"
Liana grinned with relief, thrilled to escape such a burden.
Though if Leonardo weren't dying, she might have wanted to marry him herself. After all, he was the most eligible bachelor everyone desired.
The Nelson Family was a hidden financial empire, belonging to Aurelia City's aristocratic elite.
——
Veronica's POV
The convoy drove through the gates of a massive estate—three hectares of prime land—into the historic Nelson mansion.
After stepping from the car, servants led me into the grand living room. I could hear family members discussing Gareth's suggestion: that marrying the destined woman could ward off disaster.
"Madam, the Bogart Family's daughter has arrived. Shall we begin the ceremony?"
"Leonardo is still unconscious. I see no point in a formal ceremony."
Just then, a servant burst in. "Madam, Mr. Nelson... he's awake!"
Cecile lit up with joy. "Really? Leonardo is awake? That's wonderful! It must be the good fortune this girl brought! Charlie, take her to him immediately to care for him!"
"Yes, madam!" Charlie replied.
The women exchanged bewildered looks. The man doctors had written off as nearly dead had actually awakened today?
The Nelson mansion connected to Leonardo's private residence in the east wing.
Butler Charlie escorted me there. After studying me for a moment, he seemed indifferent to who the bride was, as long as the marriage happened.
"Miss Bogart, you may call me Charlie. From today, you're responsible for Mr. Nelson's care. Remember your place, understood?"
"I understand, Charlie."
I knew my role perfectly. Essentially, they'd found a woman to babysit a dying man.
As Charlie led me upstairs, we heard loud crashes and shattering sounds from the second floor.
I'd just opened the door when something flew toward me.
Luckily, my reflexes were sharp—I not only dodged but caught the glass ashtray that had been hurled my way.
A quick scan revealed chaos—overturned furniture, debris scattered everywhere.
Two doctors and three nurses struggled to restrain the man thrashing on the bed.
"Hurry! Prepare the sedative!"
The medical staff panicked, and I couldn't help but smirk. So Leonardo really was legendary.
Everyone said he was as good as dead, with only days left. Yet here he was, awake and fighting like a caged animal, refusing to be tamed.
One nurse approached with a syringe, only for Leonardo to snatch it and jam it into the male doctor's arm instead.
"Ahhh..."
The doctor screamed before collapsing moments later.
Leonardo sent another doctor flying with a punch, and the nurses were too terrified to get close.
He ripped the IV from his arm, bracing himself on the bed and breathing hard.
In that moment, his aggression peaked, his strength lethal. No one dared approach; no one dared move.
The room fell into an eerie silence, like hell's gates had opened.
Watching this unfold, Charlie nervously spoke up. "Mr. Nelson, Madam has chosen the eldest daughter of The Bogart Family to marry you. She's here to care for you and help speed your recovery!"
With that, Charlie pushed me forward.
I took two steps closer, only to hear the man growl in a deep, threatening voice, "Get out! All of you, get out!"