Chapter 2

"I've discussed it with your father. We can't let Vivienne go through with it. As for everything else, I'll convince my father."

Adrian noticed the lash marks on my back, but only smiled slightly.

"Were you punished for asking your father to move up our marking ceremony again? You really are too impatient. Drop it for now — once Vivienne's situation is sorted, I'll mark you."

He seemed to think of something, and reached over to stroke my hair gently.

"I'm here. You don't have to worry about anything."

If I hadn't lived through my past life, I might have believed him. I might have thought he cared about me, even a little. That he really would mark me someday.

But I'd seen how that story ended. He had only ever loved Vivienne.

In his eyes, I was nothing but an obstacle between the two of them. Even if we ended up together, it would only be misery.

I lifted his hand off my head. My voice was cold.

"I didn't do it for you."

Adrian couldn't help but laugh. "Not for me? Then what for?"

It was true. From the moment I'd been told I was his future mate, my whole heart — my whole self — belonged to him.

After my mother died, that feeling only grew more desperate. I was terrified he'd leave me too.

But now, I was finally awake.

What was never mine could never be held.

I shook my head, my expression still distant. "Adrian, I'm not the Yara you knew. Relax — this time, I'll set you free."

Adrian frowned. "What are you talking about? We're fated mates."

I said nothing. I stared at the tiles in front of me.

This time, I'd step aside for him and Vivienne. And he wouldn't have to die in that attack.

I'd already lived through it once. So why did my heart still ache?

Ivory sighed.

[You loved him for so many years. You can't just let go overnight.]

So that was it.

The rain seeped into my wounds, and the pain grew unbearable. The world tilted, and everything went black.

The last thing I saw was Adrian's panicked face.

When I opened my eyes, I was in his arms. He was holding me tight.

His urgency almost looked like love. But his dying words in my past life pulled me back to reality.

This was all just wishful thinking.

When he saw I was awake, he let out a slow breath, though his voice carried an edge of frustration.

"Why are you so stubborn? Would it kill you to just apologize to your father?"

"Passing out from a beating — can't you take better care of yourself?"

I looked at his face and interrupted him softly.

"Adrian…"

"Will you take me to that place we used to go? One more time."

He frowned slightly. "The estate?"

Then he laughed dismissively. "That's your big request? Once we're mates, we can go whenever we want. Call it a vacation."

Ivory's voice was heavy.

[There won't be a 'once.']

A bitter taste spread through my chest. When he found out his mate was going to be Vivienne, he'd probably be thrilled.

My voice held a note of quiet pleading. "I want to go tomorrow."

Adrian agreed without hesitation. "Fine — but we can't stay long. I still need to deal with Vivienne's situation."

After they settled the plan, he left. He'd pick me up in the morning.

I got up and packed my things — including every gift Adrian had ever given me.

We'd known each other since childhood. Every year, he'd made me something by hand: dolls, wooden carvings, hair clips, a ring.

But three years ago, when my father brought Vivienne into the family, Adrian stopped making things for me. I got whatever she didn't want — the scraps.

I packed all of it. The only thing I kept was a single item connected to him: ninety-nine gemstones inlaid with preserved flowers. My mother had sewn them onto my wedding dress, one by one.

The next morning, I stood on the street waiting for Adrian.

He never came.

I sent him a message, telling him I'd wait at the estate.

I waited there until long past midnight. He never showed. My message went unanswered.

The night was silent. I stood alone in that empty courtyard, the cold wind cutting through me until I couldn't stop shivering.

It reminded me of the kidnapping in my past life. That same suffocating darkness. That same cold.

I walked through the estate one last time — every path Adrian and I had once walked together — and finally let go.

Adrian. Goodbye. I hope you would get everything you wanted. I hope your life would be everything you dreamed of.

The moment I stepped outside the gate, several wolves seized me and dragged me into a vehicle.