chp1

Selena was born into a poor family in a small town where opportunities were scarce, and every penny was accounted for. Her parents worked tirelessly—her father taking on odd jobs, and her mother sewing clothes for the neighbors—to provide for their three children. Despite their best efforts, there were nights when they went to bed hungry, and Selena grew up watching her parents struggle against the weight of financial insecurity.

Even as a child, she understood the power that wealth held over people's lives. She saw how her parents' stress would turn into silent dinners, how their dreams were always postponed by immediate needs, and how dignity sometimes bowed to desperation. She promised herself that one day, she would break free from this cycle.

Selena believed in two things: hard work and God's grace. She studied under dim candlelight when electricity was cut off. She borrowed books from neighbors and absorbed every bit of knowledge she could. At school, she was an exceptional student—her hunger for success sharper than most. Her diligence paid off when she earned a scholarship to a prestigious finance university, a place where students from wealthy backgrounds casually discussed vacations in Europe and family investments while she carefully budgeted her monthly stipend.

Determined to carve a better future for herself, she threw herself into her studies, mastering economics, investments, and financial planning. Though she often felt out of place among her privileged classmates, she reminded herself that knowledge was the great equalizer. Over the years, her expertise grew, and with time, she not only graduated with honors but pursued further education, eventually becoming a finance professor.

Her career brought her stability, not immense wealth, but enough to ensure she never had to wonder where her next meal would come from. She invested in a few small projects—carefully researched ventures that provided additional streams of income. A rental property, a modest stake in a local business, and a disciplined approach to savings allowed her to live comfortably. She was not among the rich, but she was free from the worries that had haunted her childhood.

Every morning, Selena woke up with gratitude. She walked into her university lectures knowing she was shaping young minds, giving them tools to build the financial security she had worked so hard to achieve. She took pride in her work, in the life she had built, and in the knowledge that she had defied the odds.

That fateful day began like any other. She had just finished an afternoon lecture, her students filing out of the hall as she gathered her notes. The weight of the day's work sat on her shoulders, but it was a familiar, welcome exhaustion. As she made her way to the university parking lot, her mind drifted to the errands she had planned—a quiet dinner at home, reviewing investment reports, perhaps calling her younger brother to check in.

Then, suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through her chest. Her breath hitched, her vision blurred, and her knees buckled. Panic surged through her as she clutched at her chest, gasping for air. The world around her dimmed—voices faded, the pavement beneath her tilted—and in that instant, she knew. It was the same way her father had died years ago, collapsing suddenly, a victim of an unforgiving stroke.

By the time help arrived, it was too late.

Selena, who had fought so hard to escape the struggles of her childhood, who had built a life of stability and dignity, had met the same fate as the man she had watched struggle for years. Yet, unlike him, she had died without financial worry, without regret. She had lived on her own terms, and though her journey had ended, she had fulfilled the promise she made to herself as a child—she had broken free.

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Selena had never feared death, but she had never expected what came after it either. One moment, she was collapsing in the university parking lot, pain tearing through her chest. The next, she was floating in darkness—a vast, endless void where time seemed meaningless. It was as if she were weightless, detached from the world she had once known.

Then, suddenly, sensation returned. A deafening cry echoed around her, raw and unfamiliar. It took her a moment to realize that the sound came from her own mouth. Her body felt impossibly small, weak, and uncoordinated. She struggled against the overwhelming brightness, her eyelids fluttering open with difficulty.

Blurry shapes surrounded her, their voices muffled yet filled with warmth and excitement.

"Congratulations, ma'am. It's a girl!"

The words were absurd. Impossible. But as her vision cleared, she saw the figures of several people dressed in elegant robes, their faces brimming with joy. A woman with soft golden curls and tired yet delighted eyes gazed down at her with a loving expression. Beside her stood a man with striking black hair and sharp features, looking at Selena with something between curiosity and pride.

Selena's thoughts raced. This doesn't make sense. I died. I was in the parking lot. What is happening?

Yet the reality was undeniable. She was no longer an accomplished finance professor in her forties. She was a newborn baby in the arms of a wealthy, aristocratic couple.

In the first days of her new life, she barely stayed awake for more than a few minutes at a time. Her tiny body had no strength, and she spent most of her time sleeping, only waking when hunger gnawed at her.

But even in those brief moments of wakefulness, she listened.

She learned that her new name had not yet been announced—only that she was the daughter of a powerful, noble family. The Donovan family. The voices around her varied—her mother's was warm, her father's a mix of excitement and hesitation, and an older male's voice held an air of authority.

One evening, as she drifted between sleep and consciousness, she overheard a conversation that sent a jolt through her newborn mind.

"My baby girl will be a powerful witch," her father's voice declared confidently.

"Whatever she is, we are going to love her," her mother's voice responded gently. Then, with a teasing lilt, she added, "Even if she is a Muggle or a Squib. Right, honey?"

There was a brief pause before her father's reluctant agreement. "Ahhh… yes, yes."

Then, the older male spoke. His tone was firm, businesslike. "Even if she doesn't have magic, she can take over the Donovan Group. If she's worthy, of course."

Selena processed the words as best as her infant mind allowed. Magic? Witch? Muggle? Squib? These terms were foreign, but she grasped their meaning through context. In this world, people had magical abilities, but not everyone was born with them. And her family, the Donovans, clearly placed great value on both magic and business.

She wanted to laugh at the irony. In her past life, she had clawed her way up from poverty, relying only on intellect and determination. Now, she was born into power and wealth. Yet even here, it seemed she would have to prove herself.

And so, time passed.

Years slipped by, and with them, Selena grew. At first, her body was frail and uncoordinated, her muscles weak from infancy. But as her awareness sharpened, so did her control. By the time she was two, she had mastered walking and was already absorbing everything she could from the world around her.

The Donovan family estate was vast, filled with ancient books, grand halls, and servants who bowed at her presence. Magic was everywhere—candles that floated, books that turned pages on their own, and family members who could move objects with a flick of their hands.

She quickly learned that in this world, lineage was everything. The Donovans were one of the most powerful families, both in wealth and magic. Their businesses controlled vast markets, and their influence reached far beyond their lavish estate. Yet, despite all this power, her place was not guaranteed.

Selena knew one thing for certain. Whether through magic or intellect, she would ensure she was not just "worthy" but undeniable.

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Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people, places, events, or religious beliefs is purely coincidental. The concepts, themes, and ideas presented in this fanfic are entirely fictional and should not be interpreted as reflections of reality. The author holds no accountability for any personal interpretations beyond the intended fictional nature of this story.

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