Chapter 1

Elena's POV

The servants watched me with a mix of pity and numb.

My suitcase was practically empty — not even half full.

I was almost through the front door when Vicky called out behind me.

"Elena, it's great that you've come to your senses. But that necklace around your neck — shouldn't you give it back to Jason?"

She draped herself against Jason, her voice sweet and coaxing.

"You promised, Jason. You said you'd make me your vampire bride. That necklace would be mine too, wouldn't it?"

I stopped. My eyes burned.

That necklace wasn't just a symbol of the vampire bride.

It was the medal that Jason's grandfather — the patriarch of the Vanderloom clan — had given my parents.

Ten years ago, Jason was targeted by vampire hunters.

My parents had spent their lives working for the Vanderlooms, managing their financial ventures in the human world.

They were the ones who threw themselves in front of those silver bullets to save him.

After that day, I was taken into the estate.

Before all of it, Jason and I had practically been childhood sweethearts. I'd always believed he loved me.

I never imagined everything would change after my parents died.

He didn't love me. He'd been forced into the engagement, bound to me for life — and he resented me for it.

I was trapped in a loveless marriage for ten long years.

The necklace held a blood-red gemstone, and behind it, engraved on the metal setting, were my parents' names alongside the Vanderloom family crest.

Jason's grandfather had placed it around my neck himself.

He'd said, "From today on, this is your home. You are the lady of the Vanderloom house."

Jason knew exactly what that necklace meant to me.

But he just lounged on the sofa with his arm around the visibly pregnant vampire, not sparing me so much as a glance.

Vicky's voice was soft and light.

"Elena, you're not going to miss it, are you?"

She tilted her head with a look of wide-eyed innocence.

"You're leaving anyway. It's not yours anymore."

I touched the necklace at my chest, then lifted my head. A tear slipped down before I could stop it.

Jason's expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly looked away.

"Why aren't you taking it off?"

Vicky's voice carried a hint of amusement.

"Or do you still want to be Jason's wife?"

I said nothing. My fingers traced the engraving of my parents' names.

Jason watched from the sidelines, cold and unmoved. No matter how anyone treated me, he never once intervened.

I used to imagine he'd reach out like he used to — like when my parents were still alive. That he'd be gentle, or at the very least, show me basic respect.

But he never did. Not once.

Just as he said — I was only a human. A human with no family to fall back on, no parents to protect her.

Vicky kept taunting me. I just stood there, knowing with absolute clarity that no one in this house would save me.

Jason's face grew darker and darker, but it wasn't until he watched me unclasp the necklace that something in his expression finally cracked. He let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

"Take it if you want it. I just want to leave."

I was exhausted. I'd had enough. Besides, I knew what happened when you defied Vicky in front of Jason.

It wasn't just Vicky. Even before she got pregnant, any blood thrall he took a liking to could bully me freely. My title as lady of the house meant nothing.

I didn't want to have my meals rationed anymore. I didn't want my last pathetic pieces of jewelry treated as things anyone could take.

And I didn't want to hold on to those ridiculous fantasies about Jason anymore.

I was done.

I placed the necklace carefully into Vicky's palm.

The moment the necklace left my neck, every vampire servant in the room caught the scent of my blood.

Seeing their crimson eyes, the image of my parents' death flashed through my mind.

I lowered my head, forced myself to stay calm, and gripped the handle of my suitcase.

I finally reached the estate's front gates.

The iron gates creaked open.

Night air drifted in, carrying a chill. I could already see the white Maybach waiting at the corner of the street.

I was about to step through.

"Wait."

Vicky's voice stopped me.

I didn't turn around. I could feel the weight of countless vampire gazes on my back. Without the necklace's protection, a cold dread crawled over my skin.

"What now?"

She laughed softly.

"Oh, it's nothing really. I just… feel a little dizzy."

The words had barely left her lips when her body swayed.

She collapsed into Jason's arms.

"Jason…"

Her voice was faint.

"I think I'm… hungry."

The air in the hall turned tense in an instant.

When a vampire said "hungry," it only ever meant one thing.

Jason's hand steadied her waist.

But his gaze drifted slowly toward me.

Those red eyes, deep as blood.

Then I heard his voice.

"Bring her back."

The moment he spoke, two shadows materialized behind me.

I didn't even have time to react before my wrists were seized.

My suitcase crashed to the floor.

I was dragged back into the hall.