The Rebirth of My Dead Billionaire Wife

Chapter 181

A Few Years Later

The grand ballroom of the Kane-Deveraux mansion gleamed under the light of crystal chandeliers, their shimmering reflections dancing across the gold-trimmed walls. The air was thick with the hum of conversations, the soft clinking of champagne glasses, and the occasional burst of polite laughter. Waiters in tailored black suits weaved through the crowd, offering trays of hors d’oeuvres to impeccably dressed guests. This was the annual Kane Enterprises gala—a spectacle of wealth, power, and perfection.

Avery Kane Deveraux lingered near the edge of the room, half-hidden behind a marble pillar. She tugged at the hem of her dark green satin gown, which clung uncomfortably to her curves. Her mother had insisted it was tailored to perfection, but to Avery, it felt like a costume. She glanced at her reflection in a nearby gilded mirror and winced. Her dark hair was pinned back into a sleek bun, exposing every angle of her face.

“You look stunning, darling,” her mother, Alessia Deveraux, had said earlier, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. “But stand up straight. A Deveraux never slouches.”

The words echoed in Avery’s mind as she straightened her back automatically, though her shoulders still curved inward in a subconscious attempt to disappear.

Across the room, her parents, Theo and Alessia, moved effortlessly through the crowd. Theo, tall and commanding in a bespoke navy suit, was the epitome of a self-made billionaire. Alessia, radiant in an ivory gown that hugged her athletic frame, was the picture of elegance and sophistication. Together, they were an untouchable force—a power couple that drew admiration and envy in equal measure.

Avery felt like a shadow in their orbit, an imperfect puzzle piece in their perfectly curated world.

“Why are you hiding?” A familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

Janice, her childhood best friend, appeared beside her, balancing two glasses of champagne. She offered one to Avery, who hesitated.

“Come on,” Janice said, nudging her. “If you’re going to survive this night, you might as well drink.”

Avery sighed and accepted the glass. “You know how my parents feel about me drinking in public. It’s not ‘ladylike.’”

“Your parents can relax. You’re not going to chug it or anything,” Janice said with a smirk, taking a sip from her own glass. Her voice dropped to a mockingly posh tone. “‘A Deveraux must always be poised.’ Did I get it right?”

Avery managed a weak smile. “Perfect impression.”

Janice studied her for a moment, her expression softening. “You look amazing, by the way. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”

Before Avery could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Avery!” Alessia’s tone was light, but there was a firmness to it that made Avery freeze. Her mother glided toward them, her smile as polished as the diamonds around her neck.

“Janice,” Alessia said with a nod, acknowledging her presence before turning her attention to Avery. Her gaze swept over her daughter, taking in every detail—the slightly crooked hem of her dress, the faint smudge of eyeliner beneath her eyes.

“You need to mingle, darling,” Alessia said, brushing an invisible speck off Avery’s shoulder. “You’re Theo Kane’s daughter. People notice when you linger in corners like… this.”

“I just… I’m not good at small talk,” Avery said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alessia sighed, her perfectly painted lips pressing into a thin line. “Then don’t make it about you. Ask questions. Listen. Smile.”

“Mom—”

“And for goodness’ sake, try harder to look like a Deveraux,” Alessia interrupted, her voice dropping low enough for only Avery and Janice to hear. “You have your father’s features, but you could at least carry yourself with some grace. You’re not a child anymore.”

Avery felt the blood drain from her face. The words stung more than she cared to admit, but she bit the inside of her cheek and nodded.

Janice stepped forward, her usual fiery spirit surfacing. “Mrs. Deveraux, with all due respect, Avery looks stunning. Everyone in this room can see it.”

Alessia’s eyes flicked to Janice, her expression unreadable. “You’re a good friend, Janice. Loyalty is a commendable trait. But appearances… they matter. Especially in this world.”

Without waiting for a response, Alessia turned and disappeared back into the crowd, her presence leaving an almost tangible pressure in the air.

“Wow,” Janice muttered. “She really knows how to suck the fun out of a room.”

Avery let out a shaky breath, her fingers tightening around the stem of her champagne glass. “She’s not wrong. I’m awkward, and I don’t fit in here. I never have.”

“Stop that,” Janice said firmly, placing a hand on Avery’s arm. “You are more than good enough, Avery. If your parents can’t see that, it’s their loss. And if anyone else here has a problem, I’ll personally handle them.”

A small laugh escaped Avery, though it was tinged with sadness. “Thanks, Janice. But you can’t fix this for me.”

“Maybe not,” Janice said, “but I’m not going to let you do this alone. Now, let’s find someone interesting to talk to, and if it gets too unbearable, we’ll sneak out the back door like old times.”

The thought of escaping made Avery smile, a genuine one this time. But before they could move, a voice crackled over the microphone at the front of the room.

“May I have everyone’s attention, please?” Theo Kane’s deep baritone silenced the crowd.

Avery’s heart sank. Her father was about to speak, and she knew he would call her out. He always did at these events, trying to remind everyone of her position in the family legacy.

“As you all know,” Theo continued, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on her, “my daughter, Avery Kane Deveraux, is the future of Kane Enterprises. She’s poised to take over this empire one day, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

The crowd erupted into polite applause, all eyes turning to her. Avery felt her stomach twist as she forced a smile, her cheeks burning under the weight of their stares.

“Smile wider,” Janice whispered. “And breathe.”

But Avery’s mind was spinning. Alessia’s words echoed in her head, louder than the applause around her: “You have to try harder to look like a Deveraux.”

As the applause died down, Alessia’s gaze found Avery from across the room, her expression unreadable. But her lips moved, forming the words Avery dreaded: “Try harder.”