Chapter 1

Tags: Witch, Rebirth & Revenge, Body Swap, Stand-in Lover, Face-Slapping the Scumbag

I was a witch who gave up my coven for an ordinary mortal man.

In the end, my lover told me he loved my body—but preferred my best friend's soul.

He dragged me to the sacrificial altar himself, stepping closer with a chilling smile:

"Elena, didn't you promise you'd give your life for me? How about I give you the chance to keep that promise right now?"

They ripped my soul out and stole my flesh.

When I opened my eyes again, it was three years later. I had become his kept mistress—the stand-in for my former self.

Turns out, after my death, Julian Thorne actually started missing the real me.

I never thought I would open my eyes again.

The youthful face in the vanity mirror was an eighty percent match to my old self.

This body belonged to Chloe Brooks. After Julian kept her as his sugar baby, she went under the knife three times just to look like me and please him.

Absorbing Chloe’s memories, I realized Julian only kept her around because her personality resembled mine back then.

To put it nicely, gentle and considerate. To put it bluntly, spineless and pathetic—a woman who erased herself just to satisfy the man she loved.

Julian pushed the bedroom door open, shirtless. He walked up behind me, gripped my chin in his hand, and studied my reflection through the glass.

"Baby, you look even more like her now. That timid look... it's identical."

I swallowed the rage and nausea churning in my chest, forcing a shy, submissive smile. "As long as you like it, Julian."

Julian kissed my hair in satisfaction. "I love it. I love it so much I can barely let you go."

"Alright." He let go of my chin and tossed a wetsuit onto the bed. "Time’s almost up. Get dressed, and I’ll take you to see the bioluminescent bay."

The smile froze on my face.

This wetsuit was one I had bought for myself four years ago.

Julian was a diving instructor.

Back then, I had begged him for years to take me night-diving under the glowing waters.

He finally agreed to take me for my birthday. I waited on the cold beach all night, full of hope.

Yet all I got was radio silence. He spent the entire night by Serena’s bedside because she had a mild fever—not even bothering to call me.

And now, what I had once begged for on my knees was handed to Chloe effortlessly.

Julian had even planned it himself.