The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

A coming-of-age ceremony? Seriously? The thought struck Eliza like a jolt. Didn't

I already go through that nightmare ages agoť'

She could still feel the sting of that day-sharp and cold, like a blade etched deep into her soul.

The mocking laughter of the guests. Her brother's venom-laced jabs. Her fiance's cold, merciless withdrawal. And worst of all, the crushing disappointment in her parents' eyes, their words like knives

She'd lived it. Bled from it. And died with the memory still burning in her bones

も

"So why the hell is it happening again? Her brows knitted, her chest tightening

with confusion. Is Sophie really trying to pull the same dirty trick? What-ruin me all over again, until I break for good!

Eliza's breath hitched, her whole body trembling as the panic rose. But then- something stopped her cold.

She blinked. Her hands... they were fine. Not a single scar. Not even a scratch Her heart pounded as she looked down. Her feet were meady, untouched.

Her face paled. No. No way. This... this can't be real"

Her tendons-every single one-had been cut. She remembered the pain, the screams, the hopelessness. There was no healing from that. None

Something was very wrong. She turned slowly, scanning the room with growing dread. And then recognition began to dawn.

The furniture. The curtains. The scent in the air. Everything matched a place she thought she'd never see again.

Her eyes landed on the old dressing table in the corner. Slowly, hesitantly, she walked toward it. Her reflection emerged in the bronze mirror- clearer with every step.

And what she saw made her breath catch in her throat. A young face. Smooth. Untouched. Not a trace of the disfigurement Sophie had left her with...

Her clothes, her hair-everything screamed innocence. This was her, before the fall. Before the disgrace. Before the pain.

No. It can't be. Did I come back? Did I really wake up an the day of my coming- of-age ceremony? The thought hit her like thunder.

Her breath came out shaky, almost a laugh. She covered her face with trembling hands, on the verge of hysteria

"That's right... I died." Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "I died by Matthew's blade"

And yet, here she was. Alive, Breathing. Not a ghost-but reborn into the same nightmare she thought she'd escaped.

“Well, ain't that just perfect, she thought with a bitter smile. "Heaven's got a twisted sense of humor

She had sworn-sworn on her grave-that she'd never have anything to do with the Stonors again. She was done with them. And now, fate had dragged her right back into their web.

Her teeth sank into her lower lip, hard enough to draw blood. The metallic taste snapped her back into clarity. Her gaze umed icy.

Maybe this was fate's way of screwing with her. But maybe this was her second shot..

She'd faced death before. Now, she was done being afraid.

Eliza used to be the most favored lady of the Duke's estate-the apple of everyone's eye

moment she could walk and

sister to her four older brothers,

never say no

life, she lived like a pearl

the year she turned fifteen, That was when her father returned with a strange little girl and made a shocking announcement this was his

on, her world began to

grew cold, replaced with an obsession for Sophie. Her brothers, once her knights in shining armor, slowly pulled away from her and lavished their affections on

smile, every bug, every kind word that used to belong to her now

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Chapter 2

then, Eliza h had no idea what she'd done wrong. She tried everything- swallowed her pride, groveled,

she did, it was never enough. All it brought her

would drag Eliza out and

without blinking.

her face and smeared her narse until she couldn't

hesitation, erased her from the records, and left her with just five cruel words You're not fit to be a

disgraced outcast, it took

name, no home, no hope. She'd finally decided to leave Hasen City behind and start

- sent men after

just yet. Right before she could leave, Sophie accused her of

chains, and demanded she

of her still

still care, just a lide... She gambled her last breath on

And low

drew in a shaky breath, shutting her

was ever mine, she thought bitterly. Maybe I was just fooling myself all along. That's fine. I made the wrong choice in my last life

the quiet room. Something had

and blinked in surprise-it was a familiar piece of emerald.

in her palm like it was the most precious thing in the world. Carefully,

was broken.

of love.

break was smooth, too clean to be

fall.

this wasn't just cracked," she murmured. "What if... it's supposed

along the

wave of dizziness overtook her, and when

no

in a vast, silent realm blanketed in white mist. The air felt still

place_?" she thought,

and touched the ground. Grass. Cool and real beneath her

her mind. 'Could I be inside the

for now, the scanned her surroundings. The space wasn't large. There was a field of soft grass,

and dustless. Like no one had

eye, making her pause

closer, her reyes widened in amazement. No,

specimens, ginseng, golden root, St. John's

Chapter 2

a rare medicinal herb-priceless treasures

recognized. There were

the