EPISODE 5

My eyes tracked the two figures stepping into the car as I stood by the window.

Did he really prioritize Luisa over coming up here to make things right with me? He’s truly beyond redemption. It means he’ll end up following the exact same path as on my first life, expecting my wealth to be his safety net again.

The Hendrick family is powerful bloodline from the Mondragon family. They have the means, the power, the money, and a family that will back them up. But they need my family's assets and influence in their business, too.

Yet aside from that reality, I knew Allen's love for me was genuine back in our college days. That is, until the accident he mentioned earlier happened.

He became completely obsessed with protecting and helping Luisa. He didn't care that I was the one suffering because of his devoted debt of gratitude to the woman who saved his life.

He sacrificed my feelings for hers?

What an idiot!

He broke every single promise he made me. The protection and love he swore to give me vanished the moment he committed me to the asylum. I begged him every single day he visited, but he never listened. He was completely under Luisa's thumb, and he never even thought about letting me out.

"Fine. Do whatever you want. I'll just make sure you two never succeed in this lifetime."

I watched Allen's car finally pull out of the mansion's courtyard. Then, a sudden knock burst through the door. It could only be Luther.

I let him in.

In one hand, he held a bucket of ice; in the other, an ointment for burns. He had me sit on the edge of the bed and knelt in front of me.

Neither of us spoke.

I just watched as he gently pressed a cloth filled with ice against my palm.

The redness had already faded, but he insisted on treating it anyway.

"Thank you, Luther," I smiled.

He looked up at me, his eyes full of gentleness and care. "Are you really going to do this, Erin? This isn't like you," he said.

I didn't quite catch his meaning. How could he say this wasn't me? We weren't even close until last night.

"What are you talking about? Is this about earlier? Did you think I'd just sit back and not fight against something so wrong?" I smiled, shaking my head. "What I told Allen is true. I'm growing up, Luther. I've realized that being too kind will only put me to grave. So why wait for that to happen when I can stop it now?"

He just stared at me again. He licked his lips, biting his lower lip slightly before opening the cream and dabbing some onto the raw skin.

"Then that's good news, Erin. But does this maturity include having a secret affair with me? Your brother-in-law? If this gets out, your reputation will be ruined," he questioned, locking his eyes to mine.

It was my turn to be struck speechless. How was I supposed to explain it to him? If I told him the truth, would he even believe me? He’d probably just laugh it off and tell me I'd lost my mind.

I cupped his face in my hands. "Luther, just trust me. Whatever I'm doing right now, it's the right thing. Being with you instead of Allen is the best decision I’ve ever made. If only I’d realized it sooner, I never would have gone through with the wedding."

Yes. If only I had come back to the past sooner, I wouldn't have married Allen at all.

"Are you saying you regret marrying him?" Confusion was written all over his face. He lowered his voice, matching the quiet intensity of the room.

"Yes, Luther. If I were given a chance to annul it, I would. But can I really do that? This marriage was meant to secure our families. And breaking the rules is an unforgivable sin in your family."

The Hendricks had these bizarre rules. “Sin and you shall perish,” they said. They claimed those rules kept the family intact, but it seemed their pride was thicker than blood. They were perfectly willing to sacrifice a family member just to save face.

"Don't worry, I'll help you find a way out. We have a deal, Erin, remember? So if you have a plan, let me in on everything. Don't go making any reckless moves." Luther stood up.

Given his height, I actually had to look way up just to meet his gaze. He looked entirely certain and confident when he promised to help me.

"It will cost you your family name, Luther. I just need a secret pair of eyes and hands to set a few of my plans in motion. I'll handle the rest."

He fell silent for a few seconds, his gaze softening as he looked down at me. It felt like he was searching for something in my expression.

"Fine. If that's what you want, Erin. Just don't forget the price for the help you're getting. You swore to give me your body."

I didn't flinch under his stare, but a small part of my heart protested. Questions flooded my mind. Was that really the only thing that made him agree? Just my body?

I swallowed hard and stood up. Had I made a mistake choosing him? His actions back when I was on my deathbed—were they genuine, or just a web of lies?

Before I could think further, Luther pulled me in, pinning my chest against his rock-hard frame.

He brought his face close to mine, his breath ragged against my skin.

"You're mine now, Erin. I don't care if it's a secret or an affair. I'm holding you to that promise. I own your body, your mind... and soon, I want that heart, too."

I blinked in shock, instinctively pushing him back.

"M-my heart? What do you mean by that, Luther?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. This wasn't part of the plan.

His husky voice filled my ears as he leaned over me once more. "Erin, don't you know? You were supposed to be mine in the first place. Destiny just didn't play along. But this time, I'll make sure to have you."

Luther pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead before turning and leaving the room. My heart beat so wildly that I had to clutch my chest. What on earth just happened?

Why did he say that? What secret is he hiding?