Re born

I have no intentions of doing that," Anna said, though her voice trembled slightly. She clenched her fists, trying to sound bold despite the unease curling in her stomach.

Lucas paused, watching her with unreadable eyes.

"I will do what you want," she continued, her voice firming as she sat up straighter. "As long as you can help me, I don't care about the cost."

Hatred and anger burned in her gaze, fueling her resolve. The pain of betrayal, the torment of her death, and the cruelty of those who had wronged her—it all swirled inside her like a raging storm.

Lucas smirked, as if pleased by her answer.

"Good," he said simply. "We start immediately. You've wasted enough time already."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode toward the door. 

"Wait… how did you do it?" Anna asked, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Lucas.

Lucas turned slightly, arching a brow. "How did I do what?"

"How did you bring me back?" she pressed, her heart pounding. She needed to understand.

Lucas exhaled, as if mildly irritated by the question. "Your spirit was stuck between two worlds, lingering because of your unfinished business. But you weren't actually dead." His lips curled into a smirk. "So, I stole your body and waited for you to find your way back."

Anna's stomach twisted. Stole her body? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but she quickly pushed the fear aside. She had already made her choice.

"Any more questions?" he asked, his gaze sharp, almost daring her to challenge him.

She held his stare for a moment before shaking her head. "No. None for now."

"Good." Lucas turned away, his voice low and commanding. "Then let's get started."

"Have you seen your face?" Lucas asked, his tone casual yet laced with amusement.

Anna frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Lucas reached for a small mirror on the shelf beside her bed and handed it over. "Take a look."

With a hint of hesitation, Anna grasped the mirror, lifting it slowly. Her breath hitched as she stared at the reflection. The woman looking back at her was… different. Her fingers traced her features, as if trying to peel away a mask, but it was real. This was her new face.

Her eyes darted back to Lucas, wide with shock.

"You should thank the doctor," he continued, leaning against the doorframe. "He did a fine job with you. I must admit, you were pretty before, but this—" he gestured toward her reflection with a smirk "—this is perfection."

Anna's grip on the mirror tightened. Perfection? She didn't recognize herself. It felt like looking at a stranger.

"I'll come back when you're ready," Lucas added, turning toward the door. "Get used to it." Then, without another word, he left.

Anna remained seated for a long time, staring at her new face in silence. Her old life was gone, and with it, her old self. Could she truly embrace this new identity?

She finally exhaled sharply and pressed the nurse's call button. When the nurse arrived, Anna's voice was steady. "I want to get out of this room."

The nurse nodded and helped her into a wheelchair. As they moved down the hallway, Anna caught a glimpse of herself in the large windowpane, which reflected like a mirror.

Slowly, she placed her hands on the armrests and pushed herself to stand. She took an unsteady step forward, staring at her reflection. It wasn't just her face that had changed—her entire appearance had been altered. Her skin was smoother, her features sharper, her hair fuller. She looked… perfect.

A perfect version of who she used to be.

Her fingers curled into fists as realization settled in. This wasn't just about revenge anymore.

This was a rebirth.

"I didn't know this was possible… I look completely different," Anna murmured, still staring at her reflection.

The nurse beside her smiled. "You underwent a total body transformation surgery. It's an extremely rare and complex procedure. You're one of the very few successful patients in the world. And I must say, you turned out perfectly, Miss."

Anna's fingers lightly brushed her new face again. "It must have cost a fortune," she said, her voice laced with curiosity.

The nurse nodded. "It did. But you were brought in by the hospital's owner, and he covered all the expenses."

Anna paused, her eyes narrowing as she turned to the nurse. "Wait… you mean Lucas owns this hospital?"

The nurse giggled slightly, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "Yes, along with many other businesses. He's one of the top ten billionaires in the country—at least, that's what I've heard."

Anna turned her gaze toward the grand hallway, her awe growing as she took in the sleek marble floors, the state-of-the-art medical equipment, and the pristine, high-end furnishings.

Lucas was far more powerful than she had imagined.

But power like that came at a price, and she knew she had just sold her soul to the devil.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the nurse gently placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her toward the rehabilitation center. "You've been in bed for six months," the nurse reminded her, her tone calm yet firm. "Your muscles have weakened, and it will take time to regain your strength. You'll need to be patient with yourself."

Anna barely heard her. Patience wasn't an option.

She stepped into the spacious rehabilitation room, the scent of antiseptic sharp in the air. Large mirrors lined the walls, reflecting the determined faces of other recovering patients as they struggled through their exercises. A set of parallel bars stood in the center, alongside various exercise machines and resistance bands. The atmosphere buzzed with quiet effort—grunts of exertion, the steady hum of treadmills, the encouragement of physical therapists coaching their patients through pain.

Anna refused to hesitate. She gripped the cold metal of the parallel bars and forced her legs to move. The first step sent a sharp ache through her calves, her body protesting after months of stillness. Her knees trembled under her weight, but she clenched her jaw and pushed forward. One foot in front of the other. Slow. Unsteady. Painful.

She nearly collapsed when she reached the end of the bars. The nurse rushed forward, but Anna held up a hand, breathing heavily. "Again," she said through gritted teeth.

The nurse hesitated. "You shouldn't—"

"I said again."

Determination burned in her chest like wildfire. She couldn't afford to be weak. Not now. Not ever again.

Her body screamed for rest, but her mind remained sharp, fueled by a single thought.

The sooner she recov

ered, the sooner she could start her revenge.

Weakness was a luxury she could no longer afford.