Two

Chapter Two: The Man Who Had Everything

Camile's POV

Seven days later.

I opened my eyes slowly.

My head hurt, and my entire body felt weak.

For a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was. The last thing I remembered was Asher holding Fiona while the system sentenced me to death.

I sat up abruptly. “Ah!”

Pain shot through my body.

I looked around, this  wasn’t my room, the  walls were cracked, the floor was covered in dust, and a broken window allowed cold air to enter. Nothing about the place looked familiar.

Where was I?

Hadn’t I died?

Before I could make sense of anything, a strange voice sounded in my head.

[SECOND CHANCE ACTIVATED.]

[HOST: Camile ASHFORD.]

[WARNING: DO NOT FALL IN LOVE.]

I stared into the empty room. “What?”

Another message appeared.

[As long as you abide to the warning, you can obtain everything you desire: a safe settlement, food, clean water, and power.]

[FIRST OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE.]

I swallowed. A second chance?

Did that mean I was alive again?

I touched my face, then my chest. There was no wound, and I could still feel my heartbeat but this wasn’t my home. I wasn’t even sure I was still in the same world.

I struggled to my feet and walked toward the broken window.

The sight outside made my blood run cold.

Buildings stood damaged along the street. Several cars had been abandoned, and strange creatures moved between the ruins.

What had happened to this place?

Suddenly, shouting came from outside. “Run!”

I turned toward the sound, several  people were running down the street, looking behind them in terror.

I didn’t understand what was happening, but I knew one thing,I didn’t want to stay here alone.

I hurried toward the door, but my legs nearly gave way beneath me. I grabbed the wall to keep myself from falling.

I was still too weak, by  the time I reached the street, the people were already far ahead.

Then I heard heavy footsteps behind me.

I turned, sebr  men in dark clothes were approaching. They carried weapons, and their expressions made my stomach tighten.

One of them pointed at me. “There’s another one.”

I stumbled backward. “W-Wait!”

He raised his weapon.

“Please!” I cried, lifting my hands. “Don’t kill me! I haven’t done anything!”

“Orders are orders.”

My heart pounded.

I had escaped death once. Was I going to die again before I even understood what was happening?

“Please, help me!”

“Touch her, and you answer to me.” The deep voice cut through the chaos.

Every man froze.

“Lower your weapons,” the voice commanded.

They obeyed at once, one of the men hesitated, his eyes shifting toward the others.

“Do you want me to repeat myself?” the man asked coldly.

“No, sir.” The response came immediately. Every weapon was lowered, and the men stepped aside.

I stared in disbelief.

Who was this man that even armed men feared him?

“Get back to work,” he ordered. “Find the others. I want every last one of them brought to me. No one leaves this area without my permission.”

“Yes, sir!”

They scattered without another word, then  he began walking toward me, no one dared to stop him. No one even looked him in the eye as he passed.

My breath caught as he drew closer.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Expensive black clothes. A cold expression that made it clear he wasn’t a man anyone dared to challenge.

Then I saw his face, my  heart nearly stopped.

I knew that face, I could never forget it. “Lucien?”

He stopped directly in front of me, his dark eyes settling on my face.

For several seconds, I could only stare at him.

The man my family had rejected because he was poor.

The man I had loved in my previous life, the  man I had thought I would never see again.

What had happened to him?

“What are you doing here?” I asked weakly.

He glanced at my trembling legs.

Before I could say another word, he bent down and lifted me into his arms.

I gasped and grabbed his shoulder. “Lucien! Put me down!”

He ignored me and looked at his men. “She’s not to be harmed. Go find those who escaped. I want every one of them brought back.”

“Yes, sir!” The men immediately rushed away.

I stared at him in disbelief, he was giving orders, and they were obeying him without question.

Who had he become?

“Lucien, I’m talking to you!”

He finally looked down at me.

“You can ask your questions later. Right now, you can barely stand.”

His voice was cold.

There was no warmth in his eyes, no trace of the man who used to look at me as though I were the most important person in his world.

He carried me through a large gate and into an impressive mansion surrounded by high walls.

I stared at the building in shock.

This place was more luxurious than some of the homes I had seen in my old world.

Lucien had barely stepped inside when a beautiful woman appeared at the entrance.

She wore an elegant dress and looked completely at home there.

The moment she saw him carrying me, her expression changed.

She walked toward us, her eyes fixed on me.

Then she looked at Lucien.

“Lucien,” she said slowly. “Who is she?”

I looked at her, then at the man holding me.

For some reason, I suddenly felt afraid of hearing his answer.