CHAPTER 2: SIGNATURE

ETHAN

My body suddenly fell backward. Fast. Sudden.

A loud crack sounded within my body, and my eyes abruptly parted.

I exhaled shakily. Shock and fear palpable in my silver orbs.

Unable to control my emotions, I sat up and looked around even more curiously. I was in bed.

If I hadn't remember wrong. This should be where I spent my wedding night with Vesper...

The HIGHLIGHT HOTEL.

It was indeed my wedding night, and checking the time on the golden walls, it seemed to be immediately after we got into the room after the night party.

The last time, I remember I was really exhausted and fell limply into bed when we got into the room.

Vesper hugged me for a while before he carried me toward the bathroom for a bath.

Right now, my suit was still on me, and I could also feel the fatigue in my bones.

However, the memories of everything that happened earlier were fresher in my mind.

Leander's warning. Vesper and Nick plan to take everything away from me. The fall. The despair that came with death.

Everything was crystal clear.

It wasn't a dream.

Tears formed in my eyes as I glanced at my belly.

My baby... It died.

The doctors weren't able to save us.

Vesper didn't only kill me. He also killed our first child.

The man I trusted the most in my life was the one who brought me death.

My child and I... he left us for dead.

Tears rolled down my face.

The fear and shock returned in waves, and my heart felt immensely heavy.

Why hadn't I listened to the advice from everyone?

My father advised me. Leander also did. But I was stubborn.

Vesper...

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"Why are you crying?"

Vesper's panicked voice entered my ears as he hugged my waist from behind.

I glanced at the familiar arms, and the pain in my heart increased a millionfold.

My body trembled inexplicably, and I stood up from the bed.

"Don't touch me, Vesper," I mumbled, wiping off my tears.

"I hate your hands on me,"

I had no idea what happened or why I returned here. But this was a chance I needed.

The chance to make things right and give myself a better life.

A chance to protect my child this time around..

Vesper frowned. He stood up from the bed and approached me.

"What's wrong? What have I done wrong?" He looked confused and wronged.

Seeing that pure expression on his face, my anger blazed.

Tears appeared in my eyes again.

He had no memories of the things he did. The betrayal and the death.

But wouldn't he have started his plan by now?

That scum lover of his, Nick, must have enjoyed mocking me inwardly at the wedding earlier.

The two must have looked at me like I was the most foolish person on earth.

How they must have laughed at me at my back. How they must have called me names when I confessed my love to Vesper.

Thinking to this point, a broken laugh escaped my lips. I couldn’t even tell if I was crying or laughing anymore.

My stomach ached, and so did my cheeks.

Tears rolled down my face.

How silly I was.

"Baby..." Vesper called. His fingers reached out to hold me.

I stepped back and shook my head. "No, Vesper. Don't make me kill you." I murmured in a low voice.

His brows furrowed, but his eyes darkened.

"Ethan… watch your tone."

My gaze sharpened. But I relented.

I wouldn't kill him. Death would be too kind for Vesper.

I would make him pay for everything he did to us... my child and I.

I swept my hair back as I picked up my car key from the cabinet and left the room.

Vesper's frantic call rang behind me, but I slammed the door shut, separating us from each other.

My legs wobbled incessantly as I walked out of the hotel.

I hurried toward my car and got into it.

My chest heaved dangerously.

Tears streamed down my face as my body trembled violently.

My breathing was ragged. My head ached, and my heart wasn't feeling any better.

I wanted to be away from Vesper. I needed to understand what exactly was going on with me.

What had happened exactly? Was this a dream or reality?

I pulled on my tie, and with a long exhale, I removed it and threw it aside.

I also removed my suit and pulled up the sleeves of my shirt. Only after these did I feel a little better.

I wiped my tears off, clearing my view as I started the car and drove away from the hotel compound.

The tall and flashy Los Angeles buildings clouded the night in a beautiful haze, and my mind slowly regained a bit of calm with it.

Right then, a sharp pain stung from my wrist.

Lowering my eyes, I stiffened when I saw the rows of numbers and words on it___

*3 years, 21 hours, 52 seconds."

The words were written boldly in black. A stark contrast to my pale skin.

And... they were moving.

My brows creased.

Could this be a countdown to the day I died?

I shook my head.

This couldn't be.

My chest tightened. I couldn't breathe.

I abruptly parked my car to the side and released the seatbelt.

My eyes lingered on the numbers on my wrist as my face paled.

Would I die on the same day three years later?

Would it be the same death?

I closed my eyes forcefully as my temples pulsed painfully.

My fingers slowly clenched as my gaze sharpened.

This life, I wouldn't die the same way.

Even if I were to die in another three years, I would make better choices and bring my enemies down with me no matter what.

I sucked in a deep breath and opened my eyes.

Glancing around, I realized I was standing before a night bar. My eyes twitched.

I needed noise. Something loud enough to drown my thoughts.

I locked my car and made a decision.

Maybe this place could help clear my head.

The dimly lit party colors in the bar stunned me for a moment as I stepped into the place.

Cheers filled the air, and the noise was deafening.

I stood at the entrance, rethinking my decision to step in or not.

However, my eyes flashed with irritation as the tobacco smell wafted into my nose.

"I didn't expect you to like this place, Ethan."

A familiar voice entered my ears.

My body tensed up.

My jaw clenched as I turned around, and my eyes settled on a handsome older man standing with a tobacco held between his fingers.

His gaze held a calculating smile. "Running away already?"

His gaze flicked over me. "On your wedding night." He sniffled the tobacco.

He looked at me. Unsurprised. Like he'd knew I would be here.

My heart raced loudly... loud enough to drown the noise in the background.

My eyes lingered on the man standing before me as my lips slowly parted___ "Leander," I called hoarsely.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

He tapped the ash off his cigarette slowly, his gaze never leaving mine.

Right then, I felt a burning sensation in my wrist. Glancing at it, my eyes widened.

The countdown... It had stopped.

Shock showed in my eyes as I stared at Leander again.

Leander?