Chapter 2
I always loved looking beautiful when I was alive.
Before boarding that flight, I’d specifically booked a styling session and even put on some light makeup.
I hadn’t worn light makeup in years because Gabriel didn’t like it.
God, I was so fucking naive back then.
Everything… absolutely everything I did was to please him.
But later I found out the real reason behind his so–called “dislike” – I only looked most like Eleanor when I had heavy makeup on, with that dramatic winged eyeliner and captivating gaze.
Everyone knew Eleanor Thornton, the renowned dancer.Her cascading waves,striking eyes and red lips – she was
famous all over the world.
And now… I guess fate’s showing me some mercy.
I still look exactly like I did before I died.
Not a single wound on me.
Standing in Gabriel’s office, I stared at myself in the mirror for a long while before finally letting out a satisfied sigh.
I glanced around the room.
Here… there…
We’d fucked on every surface in here.
Jesus, what a shit mess to look back on.
Finally, I shifted my gaze to Gabriel himself.
Twenty–seven years old this year – young, wealthy, powerful.
The biggest failure he’d ever taken in his life? Watching the woman he loved most marry someone else.
And now… second chances and a happy endings.
It was supposed to be a happy occasion, I guess.
Even Benjamin walked in with a natural smile on his face.
“Mr. Cross, the nursery’s all set up.”
“And we’ve picked up all those clothes and jewelry Miss Thornton picked out yesterday.”
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Chapter 2
Gabriel gave a soft “mm” in response.
He set down the contract in his hands, rubbed his temples, then picked up his phone for a look.
Just one look… Gabriel stared at his screen for a long time.
I was getting curious, about to peek over and see what he was looking at, when he suddenly turned off the phone.
Then I heard him speak.
“How is she doing?”
Benjamin looked confused for a moment, then quickly responded.
“Miss Thornton is at the studio rehearsing right now. It’s not far from here – would you like to visit her later?”
I’d seen Eleanor’s stage performance before.
She played a fallen princess in exile.
Beautiful, brilliant, passionate and fearless.
In the story, she used her wit to gradually win people’s hearts, strategizing and planning.
Eventually, she succeeded in reclaiming her kingdom.
If I were just an ordinary audience member…
I would have fallen for her too.
But I wasn’t. And my first meeting with her was absolutely humiliating.
Because she asked me“Do you know how much you look like me?”
I nodded and said of course I knew.
After all,she was a elegant dancer.Lots of people said I looked like her – I always took it as a compliment.
She smiled ambiguously. “You’ve been with him for almost three years now, haven’t you?”
an eyebrow slightly. “Well, actually three years ago, he was already in love with me.”
How fucking ridiculous. I’d been with him for three years.
Not a single person had told me this.
I’d been playing the substitute like a complete idiot all this time.
Of course, I only found out later that all those performances she’d booked, all those chances she’d got – all of them
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Chapter 2
were carefully selected by Gabriel.
He couldn’t bear to see her face any troubles.
So under his protection and guidance, Eleanor’s dance career had been nothing but smooth sailing.
And me?
I’d accomplished nothing.
All these years, I looked successful on the surface, but in everyone else’s eyes, I was just “that woman who walks around Mr. Cross.”