CHAPTER 2

Edris wrapped his hand around the handle and pulled it out, then said to me,

“Finished? If that was enough to make you feel better, then do it again.”

Before I could try stabbing him again, something strong hit the back of my head, and I passed out on the floor.

The next morning, I woke up expecting police officers.

Instead, I was still in Edris’s master bedroom, not a jail cell. I was still in my enemy’s bedroom.

I checked my outfit and realized my wedding dress was gone. That meant someone had changed my clothes.

I quickly threw the blanket aside, climbed out of bed, and rushed downstairs in shock.

“What the hell is going on? Am I dreaming or something?” I said to myself while hurrying down.

Then I saw Edris was still alive, eating breakfast calmly as if nothing had happened.

A newspaper rested beside his plate, and a cup of coffee sat in front of him.

He looked like a man enjoying a peaceful morning, not a man who had been stabbed on his wedding night.

He lifted his eyes to me.

“Good morning, my wife.”

“What the hell?” I said to him.

Edris folded his newspaper.

“Good morning to you, too,” he said, smirking.

I marched toward him immediately.

“How are you alive?”

His gaze drifted over my face and then to the empty chair across from him, as if he was saying something I couldn’t understand, then he said,

“Sit down.”

“I asked you a question,” I said back, frowning.

“And I heard you,” he replied.

My hands clenched into fists.

“Edris!”

“The eggs are getting cold,” he said calmly.

I wanted to throw the plate at his head.

“Do you think this is a joke?” I shouted at him.

He didn’t reply, he just continued eating as if he was enjoying his meal.

I was so irritated that I felt like strangling him at that moment. Instead, I just stood there staring at him.

Then I noticed something.

He had no bandages, and there was no sign that he had been stabbed at all.

Then the memory flashed through my mind.

The knife entered his chest… but there was no blood.

The fact that he was so calm made my blood boil even more, and I said out loud,

“So you knew.”

Edris took a sip of coffee.

I hated how relaxed he looked.

“You knew I was going to stab you. That’s why you were prepared for it,” I said, not even caring that the maids could hear me.

There was silence. Then finally, he looked at me.

“Of course I knew,” he replied gently.

“How?” I asked.

His dark eyes held mine.

“Because you’ve wanted to kill me for three years now. If I’m wrong, correct me.”

The words hit harder than I expected because… he was right. I did want him dead.

I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t find the words.

Edris stood slowly, deliberately, then he unbuttoned the top of his shirt.

That was when I saw it — a thin black protective vest beneath the fabric.

This bastard had planned it all along. He expected me to stab him… and still married me.

Why?

Why would any sane man marry a woman who wanted him dead?

I narrowed my eyes.

“Do you think this is funny?” I said, pointing at him.

“No,” he replied calmly.

“You think I’m a joke to you?” I asked angrily.

“No,” he said again.

“Why do you keep saying no? You think I’m not a threat? I can slit your throat right here, right now,” I said, grabbing a butter knife from the dining table.

His mouth curved slightly.

That tiny smile only made me angrier.

Instead of answering, he pulled out the chair beside him.

“Sit,” he said.

“I’d rather die,” I snapped.

“You’re dramatic.”

I shot him a glare.

He ignored me completely.

“Eat breakfast.”

“I stabbed you.”

“I noticed.”

“You should be furious.”

“I’ll survive.”

“You should call security.”

“I don’t want security.”

“You should call the police.”

“I don’t want the police either.”

I stared at him.

Was he insane?

Because I was starting to think he was.

Then he casually asked,

“Where would you like to go for our honeymoon?”

I blinked.

“What?”

“Honeymoon.”

I felt completely thrown off balance.

“What?”

“Honeymoon,” he repeated.

I looked around the room as if someone might jump out and explain the joke, but nobody did.

“Are you insane?” I asked.

“Depends who you ask,” he said.

“Edris, I tried to kill you.”

“You failed.”

“I can try again,” I hissed.

“You can. That would be nice,” he replied.

I hated how calm he was. Every response made me more frustrated, more confused, and more aware of him.

Edris pushed his chair back and stood, then walked toward me.

He moved closer.

One step.

Closer.

Two steps.

Closer.

Three steps.

Until he was standing directly in front of me at close range.

My heart began beating faster.

Not from fear.

That was the problem.

I could feel the warmth radiating from him.

I could smell his cologne and see every detail of his face.

His gaze dropped briefly to my lips.

Then he reached around me. His hand settled on the chair behind me.

He pulled it out slowly. The movement brought him even closer.

It felt like he was about to kiss me.

My heart was pounding now. I stood frozen, completely unable to move.

His lips brushed near my ear — not touching, but almost.

“Have a nice meal, wife,” he whispered.

His voice was dangerously low.

Then he stepped back.

A smirk tugged at his mouth.

And just like that, he walked away, leaving me standing there — confused, angry, and completely unable to understand him.

What the hell was wrong with this man?