EPISODE 2- I Knew it!

The moment I opened the door, Luther's muscular and fierce figure was what greeted me. It was only now that I realized how handsome he was, and his eyes were full of some kind of intensity that I couldn't understand. Why hadn't I noticed him right away before?

He placed both of his hands on either side of the vanity table, completely consuming the space between the two of us. And he trapped me within his blazing presence.

"Are you out of your mind, Erin?" he whispered in a low, but firm tone. His warm breath brushed against my neck, sending a massive shiver down my spine. "You just married my brother an hour ago. And now, you're calling me to tell me that you'll just be mine? What kind of sick game is this?"

I looked him straight in the eyes. Back in my past life, I used to feel intimidated by his dark and dangerous aura, but now, I felt something different. All I could see now was the man who desperately tried to break down the iron door of the Mental Hospital just to try and save me from the fire consuming the building. He was the only one I knew who cried for me in my final moments.

"This is not a sick game, Luther," I replied seriously, without a single tremor in my voice. "I know everything. I know that Allen and Luisa are having an affair. They've been making a fool out of me for a long time, even before this wedding."

Luther froze. His eyes widened slightly as he searched my face, trying to see if I was lying or simply going mad. But he would find no fear in me; only anger and determination reflected in my eyes. The bitter tragedy of my first life had taught me how to be strong.

"If that's the case, why did you go through with the wedding?" he asked, his grip tightening even further on the edge of the table.

"Because if I didn't go through with it, I wouldn't have a chance to bring them down completely," I answered coldly. I raised my hand and gently placed it on his chest. I could feel the fast and heavy thumping of his heart beneath his black polo shirt. "I want to take back everything that belongs to me. And to do that, I need an ally. I need you, Luther."

"And what do I get out of this?" A bitter smile played on his lips, yet he didn't move my hand from his chest. "I'm just the black sheep of the family, remember? I don't care about the company, and I care even less about this family."

"I know," I whispered as I slowly moved my face closer to his. "But I know what you are capable of. If you make a deal with me, I promise... within a year, I will make sure you hold the entirety of H&B Enterprise. I will use my money and connections to fund your passion for music. I will make you the most powerful man in this country... concerts, billboards, contracts, everything will flow through you. In exchange, help me escape from him."

Luther stared at me, as if analyzing every single fiber of my being. The distance between our lips had almost vanished. The intense tension in the room grew heavy, filled with an inexplicable mixture of desire and revenge.

"The H&B Enterprise is your family's business, why would you give that to me?" he curiously asked.

"Because I know you're capable of being the head of it."

The H&B Enterprise is really mine, from the Sandiego family. It was passed down to me by my grandmother, as I am the only kin of the Sandiegos. No distant relatives, just me and my grandmother.

"You're dangerous, sister-in-law. I don't know what you're really planning. But fine, I'll indulge you," he whispered before completely closing the distance between us.

I couldn't stop myself anymore. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down into a passionate and fierce kiss.

This is my declaration of war against my dear husband. He's playing dirty, and I'll play dirtier. I won't allow the two of them, him and Luisa, to manipulate my life.

With every touch of Luther's lips, with every tight grip of his hands on my waist, I felt my white wedding gown being shed piece by piece.

Tonight, inside the guestroom while my guests were still celebrating downstairs—I gave my entire self to Luther Hendricks, my brother-in-law.

...

It was almost three in the morning when I woke up from a short nap. The entire room was dark except for a bit of moonlight filtering through the large window. The white sheet was wrapped around my body as I leaned against the headboard of the bed.

Luther was standing by the window. His torso was still bare as he slowly pulled on his pants and fastened his belt. His back was covered with scratch marks from my intense passion. He picked up his black polo shirt from the floor and put it on without buttoning it up.

"Aren't you afraid Allen might suddenly knock?" he asked without turning to look at me, but I knew he could feel my gaze.

"Let him knock," I replied coldly as I adjusted the blanket over my chest. "He's bound to be completely wasted by now, and Luisa is probably with him. Think about it—the party downstairs ended ages ago, yet he hasn't even looked for me once."

Luther turned to me. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He raised his hand and gently took hold of my chin, tilting my face up so our eyes could meet.

"How can you be so sure I won't betray you, Erin?" he asked, his voice laced with a testing tone. "I could just tell Allen about tonight, and you'll lose everything."

I smirked, flashing him a bold yet seductive smile. "Go ahead, Luther. I won't stop you—just make sure you're fully prepared to betray me. My offer is damn good. Don't you want my body?"

His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't release his grip on my chin. "You're acting so weird, Erin. You sound so sure of everything. Last I checked, you never wanted anything to do with me. Like I was a poison sucking you alive."

Huh? What is he talking about?

That was the past me, Luther—the other version of me that didn't know you aren't that hard to please. If I had only known you'd end up looking for me in my last life, I should have asked for your help, I said to myself. But I stopped myself. No one would believe me if I told the truth.

"Let's just say I have my ways of knowing things," I simply said.

"I'm the monster they made me out to be, Luther," I whispered, leaning my forehead against his chest. "And I'll make sure they are the first ones this monster devours."

Luther placed his large hands on my back, pulling me into a tight embrace one last time. "Fine. If this is your game, I'll join you. I'll play the part of your secret lover and your weapon. Let's burn them down together, sister-in-law."

He put on his leather jacket and fixed his messy hair in front of the mirror. He glanced back at me as I sat there, just staring at his every move.

"I'll leave through the balcony," he said, opening the glass door leading outside. The morning light was approaching, and he needed to leave before anyone saw him coming out of my room.

I walked up to him and held his hand. "Okay, I hope we've sealed a deal today, Luther. Don't fail me like your brother did."

He nodded and swiftly pulled me in for a quick but firm kiss on my lips. "See you tomorrow, Erin. Don't let my brother touch you today. I'm telling you, I won't like it if anyone touches what's mine."

Before I could answer, he nimbly crossed over to the other room. It was as if he was completely used to doing this.

For a moment, I savored the cold breeze; it was so freezing, especially since the only thing covering my body was the white sheet.

And just as I was about to close the glass door, loud, sudden thuds echoed from my bedroom door. The violent twisting of the doorknob shattered the morning silence.

"Erin, open the door!"

"Allen?" I whispered.

But he wasn't supposed to be looking for me, just like last time. I quickly fixed myself up, wiping away any trace that would give him a reason to think something was wrong.

But when I looked at the sheet covering my body, I recoiled. What about this?

I sighed heavily, my hand trembling slightly as I reached for the doorknob. Will I not be able to execute the plans I've thought of? Why is this so different from the past?

He just ignored me when it was supposed to be our honeymoon before!

But just as I was about to open the door, I heard a woman's voice speaking from outside. I pressed my ear even closer against the door.

"Allen, baby... why are you looking for her? I'm here, come on. For sure, Erin is already asleep. Earlier, after I escorted her upstairs, I brought her something to drink and I put some sleeping pills in it. She won't wake up until tomorrow, so let's go. I'll take care of you."

It was Luisa, my best friend—a total hypocrite.

I glanced back at the glass of juice on the nightstand. I was supposed to drink it, but because I traveled back in time, I dropped it earlier from the sheer shock.

I didn't react, remaining quiet as I listened to Luisa seducing him. Until a heavy thud shook the door. I didn't even know why anymore.

"C-come on, Allen. L-let's go inside. Ahhh..."

I stepped back. Shit! They're doing it. I shook my head, clutching my chest which was pounding frantically.

Go ahead, do whatever you want. Knock yourselves out, but I'll make sure I get the last laugh.

I won't let you succeed in any of your evil plans. I will survive, and you will suffer everything you put me through.

I took a deep breath, turning away from my plan to open the door, and headed straight to bed. Tomorrow, my revenge plan begins.