Lina sat at the elegant writing desk near the window, the morning light warm on her face. For the first time in two lifetimes, she felt something close to peace. No more waiting. No more hoping Lucien would finally see her. This time, she would build her own path.
She picked up a pen and a fresh notebook. For the next hour, she wrote quickly, filling page after page with everything she remembered from her previous life. Important events, key people, dangerous moments, and golden opportunities. By the time she stopped, six full pages covered the notebook in her neat handwriting.
She stared at the words. This knowledge was her greatest weapon now.
A soft knock sounded at the door again. Maggie entered carrying a tray with breakfast and a small vase.
"The white lilies have been arranged in the main hall as you requested, madam," Maggie said, setting the tray down. There was a hint of curiosity in her eyes, but she kept her tone professional.
"Good," Lina replied with a small smile. "Thank you, Maggie."
Maggie hesitated for a moment. "Mr. Cole will be pleased with the change, I am sure."
Lina simply nodded. She knew better. Lucien had never cared much about flowers or her preferences. But that no longer mattered.
After Maggie left, Lina ate her breakfast slowly, enjoying the taste properly for the first time. In her past life, meals had often felt like chores, something to finish quickly so she could focus on making the household perfect for Lucien and Aaron. Not anymore.
She finished eating and picked up her phone. It was time to take the first real step.
Lina dialed the number for Nova Agency, the top modeling and entertainment agency in the city. In her previous life, she had never dared to reach out. She had stayed quietly in the shadows as Lucien's wife, believing she had no talent and no place in that world. Now she knew better.
The call connected after two rings.
"Nova Agency, this is Carla Reed speaking."
Carla's voice was direct and sharp, exactly as Lina remembered from later years. Carla would become one of the best agents in the industry, known for her honesty and fierce loyalty once she believed in someone.
Lina took a calm breath. "Good morning, Miss Reed. My name is Lina Hart. I would like to schedule a meeting with you to discuss representation."
There was a short pause on the other end.
"Lina Hart... as in Mrs. Lucien Cole?"
"Yes," Lina answered steadily. "But I am calling about my own career. I want to start working in modeling and acting. I believe I have the potential, and I am ready to prove it."
Carla let out a small surprised laugh. "Mrs. Cole, with all due respect, this is quite sudden. Most wives in your position don't usually call agencies themselves."
"I am not most wives," Lina said simply. "I can come in for a test shoot as soon as possible. Tomorrow, if you have time."
Another pause. Lina could almost hear Carla thinking on the other side.
"Alright," Carla finally said. "Come in tomorrow at ten. We'll do some test shots and see what you have. No promises, but I admire the boldness."
"Thank you. I will be there."
Lina ended the call and leaned back in her chair. Satisfaction bloomed warmly in her chest. In her first life, she had been too afraid to even try. Now she had taken the first step without hesitation.
She stood up and walked to the closet. The rows of elegant but modest clothes stared back at her. Most of them had been chosen to look appropriate as Mrs. Lucien Cole, never too eye-catching, never too bold. She picked out a simple white dress that showed her figure better than anything she used to wear.
This time, she would not hide.
The rest of the morning passed quietly. Lina continued writing in her notebook, listing names and events she needed to watch out for. Selene Novak. Marcus Cole. The early opportunities she had missed before. She also wrote down several song ideas that had made Ivory famous in her previous life. She would start submitting them anonymously soon.
By afternoon, the white lilies filled the main hall with their clean, elegant scent. Lina walked through the space slowly, touching one of the petals. A quiet smile touched her lips.
Already different.
She was no longer the woman who waited.
Maggie found her there later, looking slightly nervous. "Madam, the lilies look beautiful. But are you sure about speaking with Mr. Cole on Friday? He sounded quite tired on the phone last night."
"I am sure," Lina replied. "We have things to discuss."
Maggie studied her for a moment, as if sensing something had changed, but she only nodded and left to continue her duties.
Lina returned to her room and sat by the window again. She placed her hand gently on her stomach, thinking about the tiny life growing inside her.
"Ivy," she whispered softly. "This time, I will protect you from the beginning. I will be the mother you deserved."
The words felt like a promise. A real one.
As the sun began to set, Lina felt a new kind of energy running through her. Not the anxious hope from before, but something stronger. She was more determined.
She had three days until Lucien returned.
Three days to set the foundation for the rest of her new life.
And she was not going to waste even one of them.