The Princess Reclaimed Everything

Ellen Saunders woke up reborn, finding herself back at twenty-five.

At that time, she had a pair of twins and was married to Samuel Howard, a man whose wealth rivaled nations, a figure so feared that countless factions trembled at his name, the formidable boss of the underground world.

Everyone called her the ultimate winner in life.

But the first thing she did after her rebirth was to take divorce papers to meet Samuel's mistress.

...

"What does Mrs. Howard want with me? I'm busy training with Samuel and the kids at the shooting range. Unlike you, I don't have time to sit around," Rosalyn Morris said, sipping her coffee, her eyes never once landing on Ellen's face.

Clearly, Rosalyn looked down on Ellen, despite her being Samuel's wife.

"Miss Morris, as Samuel's assistant, you should ease his burdens," Ellen replied, accustomed to such disdain. She calmly slid the divorce papers across the table. "Like fixing his less-than-respectable marriage."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rosalyn smirked mockingly. "Trying to get Samuel's attention? I don't have time for your games."

Ellen's expression remained steady. "Wouldn't you make a better mother to the twins? They already prefer you. Get Samuel to sign, and I'll leave immediately."

Rosalyn stared at Ellen in shock, unable to believe she would willingly give up her place by Samuel's side.

Her brows furrowed. "Ellen, you know every woman in the country is after your spot. What game are you playing?"

Ellen met Rosalyn's skeptical gaze, her voice calm. "I know. But I'm not playing any games. I'm just done putting up with it."

In this life, she refused to be a bird in a gilded cage or the humiliated Mrs. Howard any longer.

"You're serious about this?" Rosalyn's eyes dripped with contempt.

"Absolutely," Ellen shot back, her gaze locking onto Rosalyn's challenging stare. "Don't you want it?"

Rosalyn hesitated for a moment before snatching the divorce papers. "Don't come crying to me when you regret this."

Regret?

Impossible.

Ellen alone knew the taste of despair hidden beneath last life's glamorous facade.

Once was enough for that kind of life.

Rosalyn's phone rang, and she answered with a smug smile. "Samuel, no need to pick me up. I'm not that delicate."

A man's low voice came through, mixed with the chaotic chatter of children in the background.

Ellen's face remained composed, but her hand tightened under the table.

For years after their marriage, she was warned never to call Samuel by his name, only addressing him as Mr. Howard.

Every call she made was answered by Rosalyn, claiming Samuel was too busy.

Yet now, the ever-busy Samuel, who rarely came home, appeared at the café in just ten minutes, holding hands with their twins.

Their daughter, Belen, rushed into Rosalyn's arms, clutching a bouquet of flowers. "Rosalyn, I missed you so much! I picked these from the garden just for you. Do you like them?"

"They're my favorite daisies. Thank you, sweetheart," Rosalyn said, accepting the flowers with a pleased smile.

Ellen's heart ached, but she took a deep breath to steady herself.

Three days earlier, she had passed the garden and tried to pick a few daisies to decorate her room.

Belen had charged at her, shoving her away and kicking her out of the garden. "You thief, get out! I hate you!"

So the daisies in the Howard family's castle garden were grown for Rosalyn, and Ellen, the lady of the house, had no right to touch them.

"The kids can't wait for you to teach them shooting. Let's go," Samuel said, his usually stern face softening with a rare smile.

Rosalyn nodded and handed him the divorce papers. "I'm taking over the western business. I need your signature for authorization."

Without even glancing at the document, Samuel signed it. "I trust your abilities."

Belen clapped her hands excitedly. "Rosalyn is amazing! Are you going to Westland? Dad, can we go too? I don't want to stay with my useless mom all day!"

Samuel thought for a moment before replying, "Sure, I'll take you both to Westland for a few months."

"I want Rosalyn to teach me shooting, riding, and fighting so I can be the coolest woman ever," Belen said, bouncing with excitement as she hugged Rosalyn's neck and kissed her cheek. "All Mom does is cook. I wish Rosalyn was my mom instead. Dad, don't you agree?"

Samuel and the twins shared the same gentle smile, silently agreeing.

Ellen felt her throat tighten, the pressure making it hard to breathe.

She saw the faint curve of Samuel's lips, a tenderness he had never shown her in all their years together.

Unable to endure the scene any longer, Ellen grabbed her bag and walked out.

Images from her past life flooded her mind as she left.

She and Samuel had married by accident, resulting in their twins.

After the marriage, Samuel found her dull, and their children despised her for her perceived incompetence.

Ellen had watched Samuel and Rosalyn grow closer while she slaved to care for their family, only to be met with cold indifference from him and the kids.

In her past life, Samuel's enemies had stormed in, kidnapping both her and Rosalyn.

When negotiating with the kidnappers, Samuel and the twins chose to save Rosalyn without hesitation.

Ellen had died in an explosion, her final glimpse catching Belen's relieved words. "Thank goodness we saved Rosalyn first."

Samuel's eyes had mirrored that relief.

In that moment, Ellen gave up on them completely. She didn't want them anymore.

Back at the house, Ellen packed her things.

She tossed her wedding ring, took down their marriage photos, and stuffed her clothes into a suitcase.

"What are you doing packing? The kids are waiting for you to cook," Samuel's questioning voice rang out as he pushed open the door.

Ellen turned and met his displeased gaze. "Nothing. Just getting rid of things that have gone rotten."

Samuel frowned, his tone icy. "Are you still upset about the kids being close to Rosalyn? It's not their fault. You don't have the skills to teach them anything, so it's natural they don't bond with you."

His brow furrowed again, his gaze tinged with reproach. "Can't you stop picking fights with the kids?"

He glanced at his watch, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I'm extremely busy and don't have time for your nonsense. If you don't want to cook, we'll get the staff to do it. No one's counting on you anyway."

Ellen said nothing, her face expressionless as she turned and left, closing the bedroom door behind her.

She dialed her mother, whom she hadn't contacted in years. "Mother, I'm getting a divorce. As you suggested, I'm coming back to take over the queen's position."

The line went silent for three seconds before her mother let out a cold huff. "I told you. Samuel's a cold-hearted wolf. You could never warm him up."

Ellen gave a bitter smile. "Yes, I was wrong."

"Come home," her mother said, her voice softening with pity. "I've got plenty of fine young men here, all better than Samuel. He doesn't know how to value my gentle, capable daughter. Let him regret it later."

"Alright. Send someone to pick me up in seven days," Ellen said, her lips curling slightly, her voice laced with icy resolve. "Before I go, I have a big gift for them."