RESTART

chapter 5

The sound of soft music filled the room as Jeevika sat in front of the mirror, surrounded by the shimmer of gold and crimson fabric. The reception was just hours away, and she was halfway through getting ready. Her lehenga sparkled under the lights, and her makeup artist was putting the final touches on her look. Everything seemed perfect, at least on the surface.

But inside, her heart was a storm.

As the stylist adjusted her dupatta, Jeevika’s eyes fell on her phone, which vibrated loudly against the vanity. She glanced at the screen and felt her blood run cold. It was **Jiya**.

Her former best friend. The girl who had once been like a sister to her.

The girl who had betrayed her in the cruelest way possible.

In her previous life, Jiya had been the smiling face she trusted, the one who had stood by her side in every moment of joy and sorrow. But behind that facade, Jiya had harbored envy and hate. She had been part of the conspiracy that ended Jeevika's life—alongside her stepmother and stepsister. Together, they had torn her world apart, leaving Jeevika to die, broken and alone.

But fate had granted Jeevika something rare: a second chance. She had been **reborn**, with all the memories of her past life intact. And now, as she looked at Jiya's name flashing on her phone screen, she knew that it wasn’t just a coincidence. This was the universe reminding her of the unfinished business she had to settle.

Her heart tightened, but her face remained calm. She let the call ring out, her finger hovering over the decline button before she pressed it with a cold, deliberate motion.

The phone buzzed again almost instantly—this time, a message.

Jiya: **“Jeevika! Why aren’t you answering? I heard today is your reception! I’m so happy for you. Please call me back, I need to talk to you!”**

Jeevika’s fingers curled into fists. The nerve of Jiya to act as if nothing had happened—as if she hadn’t been one of the reasons Jeevika had lost everything in her previous life—made her blood boil. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to breathe evenly. This was not the time for an emotional reaction. She couldn’t afford to act on impulse.

This was a game of patience, and she had the advantage now. Jiya didn’t know that she remembered everything. She didn’t know that Jeevika had been reborn, or that she was planning her revenge. And Jeevika intended to keep it that way—for now.

"Is everything alright, ma’am?" the stylist asked, noticing the sudden change in her expression.

Jeevika blinked, pushing the anger back beneath the surface. She smiled softly, shaking her head. "Yes, I’m fine. Just a message I wasn’t expecting."

The stylist nodded, satisfied with the answer, and continued adjusting her jewelry.

As soon as the stylist turned her attention elsewhere, Jeevika unlocked her phone and stared at Jiya’s message. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, the temptation to respond burning in her chest. But no. She wouldn’t give Jiya the satisfaction of knowing that she had her attention.

Jeevika deleted the message and placed the phone back on the table, her mind racing. She had spent the past few weeks adapting to this new life, this second chance she had been given. Her marriage to Abhiman had been part of that plan, though she had not yet figured out how deep a role he would play in her future. The reception tonight would be the first major public event of their new life together, and everyone would be watching. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions slip.

But revenge… revenge was something she couldn’t ignore. Not anymore.

She had come back for a reason, and now, with Jiya’s reappearance, everything was becoming clearer. She needed to take back what was stolen from her—and that meant making sure Jiya, her stepmother, and her stepsister paid for their betrayal. But this time, she wouldn’t make the mistake of trusting too easily. She would be smarter, more calculating.

She wasn’t the same naive girl from before. This version of Jeevika was sharper, stronger. **Dangerous**.

Her plan needed to be precise. She wouldn’t rush into it, but she also couldn’t afford to wait too long. The best revenge would be slow and subtle, unraveling the lives of her enemies piece by piece until they had nothing left.

Her stepmother and stepsister would be next. They had used her, treated her like she was disposable. But they, too, had no idea that the girl they had killed had returned for them. Jeevika smirked at the thought.

For now, she had to focus on the reception. She had to play the role of the perfect wife, the perfect bride. Abhiman was waiting for her downstairs, and the thought of him momentarily softened her resolve. His gentle nature, his patience—it had made the transition into this new life bearable. She still wasn’t sure if she could let him in, but she would play her part for now.

“Almost done,” the stylist said, stepping back to admire her work. “You look stunning, Jeevika.”

Jeevika glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her long hair was pinned up in an elegant style, adorned with jewels that sparkled like stars. Her eyes, lined with kohl, held a depth that hadn’t been there before—because this time, she was in control.

She stood up, smoothing down the folds of her lehenga. The weight of the fabric was nothing compared to the weight of her mission.

She picked up her phone once more, scrolling through her contacts until she found Jiya’s number. For a brief moment, she considered blocking it. But no, that wasn’t the right move.

Keeping her enemies close was important. She needed to know their every move. With a calm resolve, she left the number intact and set the phone down.

Tonight was for appearances. But soon—soon, the real game would begin.

With a final glance in the mirror, Jeevika turned and walked out of the room. It was time to face the world, to wear her mask, and to wait for the right moment to strike.

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