Reborn to Rule: From Doormat to Dynasty

After her shower and getting changed into a fresh dress, Celeste walked into the villa to find the huge living room completely empty. Not even Sophie Larkspur was around.

Maynard explained casually, "Oh, madam, everyone went to that exercise thing. Mr. Shaw took the lady and Miss Grace with him. As for Master Liam... I'm afraid no one quite knows where he's run off to again."

Celeste frowned slightly. "What about Ethan?"

Her so-called husband. The firstborn of the Shaw family. The man who was destined to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

"Master Ethan? Haven't seen him all day," Maynard replied honestly.

"Got it."

She headed up the spiraling staircase to the second floor and stopped outside the bedroom she remembered sharing-on paper-with Ethan. Knocking twice and hearing no response, she pushed the door open herself.

If Ethan had been inside, he'd probably snap at her with a cold, "Get out!"

Which meant he clearly wasn't here.

Oddly enough, she felt a little relieved. Like a weight had lifted off her chest.

She frowned again, wondering why the girl who owned this body before seemed to fear her husband so much.

But before she could even finish pushing the door open fully, a dark figure shot out from behind her. With a loud bang, the door slammed shut, and a strong force twisted her arms and slammed her against the wall.

Her mind just-blanked.

"Let go of me! Who are you?" she yelled, struggling hard, but her body was completely overpowered. She twisted to look back, but all she could catch was a black blur.

The man's chest was nearly pressed against her back; one hand pinned hers while the other roamed far too familiarly.

"Who am I? Come on, sister-in-law, already forgot me?"

There was a couple seconds of silence before his voice came low and twisted with amusement. He leaned in closer. "It's only been three years. Want me to help jog your memory a bit?"

That voice-it was like something crawled straight out of the shadows, making her skin crawl with icy dread.Her wrists were twisted behind her back, and just a turn of the head made that sharp, bone-deep pain spike through her.

She practically blurted out, "Liam Shaw?!"

In Celeste's mind, Liam had always been the playboy of the Shaw family-changing girlfriends more often than outfits. There was even a time a pregnant woman showed up, claiming to be carrying his baby.

With Mr. Shaw doting on him endlessly, Liam had pretty much been running wild. And three years ago, he'd tried to force himself on her.

She barely escaped that time, cracking a bottle over his head before he backed off.

Now it was happening all over again?!

"Yeah, I heard you are getting out today, so I came back early," Liam said smoothly, grinning as he edged closer, a mocking gleam in his eyes.

"Three years, huh? You've been married into the Shaw family that long and you've never had a shot at happiness, have you? Bet my brother never even touched you. I remember your wedding night-you two slept in different rooms. He was already half-dead back then, probably can't even function down there. But me? Stick with me and you'll at least have someone looking out for you around here."

"Oh... really? You swear? No one would mess with me again?" Her voice was syrupy sweet, trying to play along, though her body language still screamed resistance.

If it were the real Celeste, she'd go down swinging to keep her dignity. But the one in control now knew better-sometimes pretending to give in worked way better than fighting back.

Sure enough, Liam totally bought the act. His grip eased up, letting his guard down.

His face, handsome but dangerous, broke into a smug smile. He reeked faintly of alcohol, the smell clinging to him.

"Of course. At least I wouldn't dump you in jail and forget about you for three years like my brother did. Cold as ice, that guy-don't you think? C'mon, I've waited three damn years. Let me finally have you."

As he spoke, he scooped her up in his arms without waiting for a response, taking just a few quick steps to the bed before leaning over her again.

"W-wait, hold on!" she gasped, pressing a trembling hand against his chest to stop him.

"What now?" Liam frowned, clearly running out of patience.