Chapter 2: This Time, I Choose You

Believed him… trusted him… followed him.

And in the end?

He led her straight to death.

Her eyes turned cold.

“Shut up.”

Ethan froze.

“What?”

Roselyn lifted her head slowly, her gaze sharp and unfamiliar.

“I said shut up.”

Her voice was calm, but there was something dangerous hidden beneath it.

“Dominic Vale is not a pervert.”

“He just…”

Her voice softened slightly.

“…loved the wrong way.”

Ethan frowned, clearly confused.

“Roselyn, what are you talking about?”

Before she could respond—

Footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Steady. Slow.

And familiar.

Roselyn’s heart skipped.

She turned—

And there he was.

Dominic Vale.

Tall. Cold. Intimidating.

His sharp eyes locked onto her instantly.

Dark. Possessive. Dangerous.

Ethan reacted first.

“Damn it—he’s here!”

Without hesitation, he turned and ran.

Coward.

Just like always.

But Roselyn didn’t move.

She stood there, staring at Dominic as if the world had gone silent.

In her previous life—

This was the moment everything went wrong.

She ran with Ethan.

Ignored Dominic.

Watched him fall down the stairs…

Watched him break his leg…

And still walked away.

Her chest tightened painfully.

Not this time.

“Roselyn.”

Dominic’s voice was low.

Dangerously calm.

“Come here.”

In the past, she would have resisted.

Argued. Fought him.

But now—

She ran straight into his arms.

Dominic froze.

His body stiffened instantly.

As if he couldn’t believe what was happening.

Roselyn wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

“I won’t go with him.”

Her voice was soft but firm.

“Not anymore.”

For a moment—

There was silence.

Dominic slowly placed his hands on her waist, as if afraid she would disappear.

“Roselyn…”

His voice dropped.

“…what are you playing at?”

She pulled back slightly, looking straight into his eyes.

“I’m not playing.”

His gaze darkened.

“You think I’ll believe that?”

“I told you before—Ethan Blake doesn’t care about you.”

“He’ll only hurt you.”

Roselyn’s eyes softened.

“I know.”

That answer shocked him.

Before he could react, she leaned closer—

Too close.

Close enough to feel his breath.

“This time…” she whispered,

“I’m choosing you.”

Dominic’s pupils shrank.

His grip on her tightened slightly.

“Roselyn…”

His voice was hoarse now.

“…do you even understand what you’re saying?”

“I do.”

For a second, something dangerous flickered in his eyes.

Something he had been suppressing for far too long.

Without warning—

He grabbed her wrist.

Pulled her inside the room.

And shut the door.

“Then don’t regret it.”

Before she could react—

He pushed her gently onto the bed.

Not rough.

But firm enough to show control.

Roselyn’s heart pounded.

But she didn’t resist.

Dominic loosened his tie slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.

“You always run.”

“So this time…”

He picked up a silk tie.

And tied her wrists to the bed.

“…I’ll make sure you stay.”

Roselyn blinked.

Then—

She smiled.

In her past life, she hated this.

Thought it was control.

Thought it was obsession.

But now?

She understood.

“You’re afraid…” she said softly.

“That I’ll run back to Ethan.”

Dominic’s expression hardened.

“I don’t trust you.”

Fair enough.

She didn’t deserve his trust.

Not after everything she did in her past life.

“It hurts…” she whispered.

His expression changed instantly.

Concern flashed across his face.

He moved closer.

“I’ll untie you.”

“No.”

She stopped him.

Dominic frowned.

“I won’t run.”

She looked straight into his eyes.

“Even if you don’t tie me… I won’t go back to him.”

Silence filled the room again.

Dominic stared at her for a long moment.

As if trying to see through her soul.

Then he spoke—slowly, dangerously:

“If you lie to me again…”

His hand tightened slightly around hers.

“Even if you run to the ends of the earth…”

His voice dropped to a whisper.

“I will drag you back.”

Roselyn smiled faintly.

Good.

Because this time—

She had no intention of leaving.