Reine Cedric Elyna Novel Guess Who's Not Coming Back

I came back to life the day Cedric Gramont got drugged. This time? I didn't offer my body to him. I called his so-called soulmate instead.

In my last life, I stupidly fell for the uncle who wasn't blood-related.

When I found out he'd been hit with something strong, I ignored his plea to call Elyna Humbertand "helped" him myself.

A month later, I was pregnant.

He had to marry me. On our wedding day, Elyna, who'd gone abroad to "clear her head," got kidnapped and killed.

Before she died, she called Cedric 199 times, begging for help.

He didn't pick up once. Too busy sealing the deal with me.

Later, he just stared at those missed calls, not saying a word.

Then the day I went into labor, he locked me in the basement.

I begged him to take me to the hospital. He just smiled, cold and empty, and watched me die screaming, the baby still inside me.

Last thing I heard? "If you hadn't gotten pregnant, I wouldn't have married you. I wouldn't have missed Elyna's calls. You deserved to die."

When I opened my eyes again, it was that same dayCedric was drugged, but this time, I knew better.
Chapter 1
Saintvelle, Lurevia.
"Reine, call Elyna. Now!"
That line hit like a jolt. I was reborn.
I grabbed my phone and dialed without blinking.
Cedric was flushed, eyes hazy and burning.
That look had wrecked me last time.
Not again.
I avoided his gaze and dipped out fast.
"She'll be here in ten," I said, already halfway out the door.
Behind me, he growled somethingsounded like my name.
I pretended not to hear and closed the door hard, planting myself outside like a wall.
Ten minutes later, Elyna showed up, all flustered.
She gave me a lookhalf relief, half something elsewhen she saw my clothes were still in place.
Right before stepping in, she said, "You can go. You're not needed."
Cool.
I turned and headed upstairs to my room.
Downstairs didn't go quiet till way past midnight.
I let out a slow breath. Last time, I loved Cedric too much. Like a moth to a flame, I gave myself to himand ended up pregnant.
He married me because he had to. Then on our wedding day, Elyna died out of nowhere. He lost the one he actually loved.
After that, he went silentuntil I was about to give birth.
Then he locked me in the basement.
I begged him to save our baby, even said he could take my life instead.
It was his kid too. But he just stood there, watched us both die like that made things right.
This time? I did what he wanted. Brought Elyna to patch him up.
And soon, I'd be out of this place for good.
***
Next morning, Elyna showed up at the Gramont mansion's dining hall.
Cedric took a bite of brioche bread and potage soup, then dropped it casual: "Elyna's my girlfriend now. I'm marrying her. Be nice."
Then he pointed his fork straight at me. "Especially you. Don't cause problems for my fiance."
I just nodded. Elyna flashed a smug little smile.
I pretended not to notice, pushed my plate aside, and stood to leave. Thats when I heard Elyna start to sob.
"Cedric," she sniffled, "does Reine not want me here? I know she's important to you. If she hates me, maybe I should just go..."
Tears, soft voice, full pity mode.
Cedric's jaw tightened. "Reine, sit down and finish your breakfast."
"I'm done."
His tone snapped. "Reine Rouvroy, I told you to sit down! Don't you understand plain language? Have you forgotten basic manners? I raised youis this what I taught you?"
I didn't want anything to do with either of them. But they just couldn't take a hint.
I turned and gave them both a polite, fake smile.
"Uncle Cedric. Miss Elyna. I've eaten. Enjoy your breakfast. I'm out."
Half an hour laterthere's a knock at my door.
I opened it and found Cedric standing there, eyes stormy.

Chapter 2
I moved to shut the door on instinctdidn't want to deal with him.
Cedric caught it, frowning. "You avoiding me? Why?"
He leaned in, scanning my face. "You mad? Is it about Elyna?"
I shook my head fast. "Nope. I'm happy for you. You two finally made it happen."
He didn't buy it. His eyes shifted, cold and sharp.
"That's really how you feel? Or just acting?" He let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Reine, don't tell me you're still clinging to me. You think I didn't notice that kiss on your eighteenth birthday? That fake drunk bit?"
He sneered. "All those love letters you wroteI read every single one. Thought you were being slick, but the way you looked at me? Obvious. Everyone in this house knew."
He leaned back, smug. "Not saying it out loud was the smartest move you ever made. Cause if you had? I would've laughed in your face. Laughed at you for ever thinking you stood a chance."
His laugh echoed as he shoved past me and went straight for the desk. He yanked open the bottom drawer, pulled out a thick stack of letters, and threw them across the floor.
Then he stepped on them.
"I raised you since you were seven. And this whole time, you had feelings like that?"
He looked disgusted.
"You knew my heart was with Elyna. And you still wrote that crap? You honestly make me sick."
He got in my face, voice dropping.
"Yesterday, when I was druggedI saw your eyes. You wanted to be my cure, didn't you? Good thing you didn't. If you had, I'd never stop feeling disgusted. You're not even worthy of touching me."
A sharp stab hit my chest.
I didn't love him anymorenot in this lifebut still, those words cut deep.
Cedric threw one last warning my way: stay out of his orbit so Elyna wouldn't get the wrong idea.
Then he slammed the door on his way out.
Fine by me. I didn't want to be anywhere near them anyway.
I had bigger things to handlelike getting my paperwork sorted for moving abroad.
Threw a few essentials in a bag and left the mansion.
***
I didn't get back till almost tenon purpose.
The second I stepped into my room, I knew. Someone had touched my bed.
Then I saw Elyna's new post: a smug little selfie of her sprawled across my mattress.
Caption: [A 3333-777700,000 mattress really makes a difference. Told him I wasn't sleeping well, and boom, he replaced one. That's what love looks like!]
He gave her my bed. The one he custom-ordered when my back was killing me. Six figures, easy.
He used to care like thatused to know what I needed before I said anything.
He raised me. Let me fall for him. Then played the saint and made me the sinner.
But now? Elyna whined once, and boomhe didn't even bother telling me. Just handed it over.
Cedric showed up at my door. "Elyna's a light sleeper, so I gave her your mattress. Your back's fine now, so any mattress should do."
I didn't look at him.
"Okay."
He frowned hard. "You've been way too obedient lately. What's your deal? You used to lose it when I was nice to anyone else. Now you're just... chill? Don't tell me you're plotting something. I'm seriousif you screw with Elyna, I won't hold back."
I looked up. "I'm not trying to screw with anyone. Honestly, I'd just like to be left alone. Isn't this what you always wanted? Me, acting grown? You should be thrilled."
His jaw tightened. "Good. Reine Rouvroy, you're really something."
He slammed the door and stomped downstairs.
That line? Always meant he was pissed.