Reborn to Break the Traitor

"Lottie, it's just us here. The tent's zipped up, totally safe." Russell Odom's voice was smooth and suggestive as he wrapped his arms around me, his fingers brushing at my clothes.I shivered, spinning to face him. The memory of my death burned in my mind, fueling a hatred stronger than my fear.In my past life, those same words had lured me into trusting him, believing the wilderness hid us from prying eyes. I gave in, only for two thugs to stumble upon us.Their knives gleamed with malicious intent as my half-open shirt caught their attention.Out of options, I played along with their demands to protect Russell, buying him time to slip away. To cover his escape, I leaned into their cruelty, enduring horrors that left me broken.By the time he returned with the police, I was barely alive.Someone spread the news, and it blew up online. Russell was hailed as a courageous hero who risked everything to save me. I, however, was branded a reckless, immoral woman, spat on by stranger

This wasn't a random attack. It was a premeditated betrayal.Without this evidence, I'd have been hunted down even if I escaped. I acted fast, texting Frida from Russell's phone.[Have you met those guys? What do they look like?][Nope, too much trouble. I just told them to handle the girl you're with.]This was perfect, meaning they wouldn't tell Frida from me.[Babe, where are you? I miss you.][Close by. Once this is over, you're all mine.][Why wait? Come now. I'll tie Lottie up while she's out and meet you.][Hell yeah, I'm on my way!]I smirked at the screen. They'd face the consequences for trying to ruin me.I set up Russell's recording gear in the tent's corner, linked to his phone for remote monitoring. He slept soundly under the pills' effect, and I looked at his peaceful face, the one that once charmed everyone, making people envy me for being his girlfriend.No one saw the rot inside, how he'd plotted to destroy me for Frida's wealth and connections.I kicked h

Joakim didn't flinch. "We get paid tomorrow and vanish. Who is gonna care way out here? You're practically begging for it. Never seen a guy so eager."Russell's face twisted in horror. "It's not me. Lottie set me up!"Through the screen, I watched him scream, a dark satisfaction rising."Lottie, you played me! I'll end you!" he shouted, then turned to Joakim. "Let me go, or you'll pay!"Too bad, his threat couldn't intimidate Joakim, a desperado who took kidnapping jobs for fun. Joakim only pushed further, torturing him even more brutally.Russell's curses turned to desperate sobs. "No, get away! Please, stop!"I shielded the screen. It was too graphic.Joakim untied Russell's legs for easier access, but Russell kicked him hard, enraging him."You're dead, boy!" Joakim roared, slapping Russell's face until it swelled.Out here, there were more bugs and weeds than anything else. He rebound Russell and grabbed a handful of weeds and bugs before forcing them into Russell.My sto

Russell's hospital room was stark and silent.His eyes blazed with fury when he saw me, but his damaged throat managed only a rasp. "You bitch, you did this!"I sat by his bed, set two oranges on the nightstand, and peeled one. "What are you talking about? I saved your life. You should be thanking me."He writhed, sweeping the orange off. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have ended up like this. You ran off on purpose!"I tilted my head, playing dumb. "I had no idea someone was after me. But you—care to explain why you cheated with Frida and set me up? The police told me you hired those men to hurt me."His voice dripped with venom. "So what? You're always buried in books. Hanging out with you embarrasses me. I told you to get a job, but you chose graduate school. Did you think I'd support you forever? I was done with you. If you weren't pretty, I'd have dumped you ages ago."His words stung, revealing his true thoughts. I didn't know that was how he saw me.I leaned closer, w

I thought that after his treatment, Russell would face legal consequences.But he found me again in a quiet alley, holding Frida hostage with a knife pressed to her throat. Blood trickled down.He looked crazed, with matted hair and bloodshot eyes. He muttered to himself. "I had a dream. You were the one ruined, hated by everyone. I saved you, and they called me a hero. Frida became my girlfriend. I climbed the ranks, married her, and took her company. Everything was perfect. You stole it from me!"My skin prickled with fear, but I kept my voice calm. "Russell, drop the knife."He pressed harder, his gaze darting between us. "You two ruined my life. You both deserve to die!""You're insane!" Frida snapped. "Don't drag me into your mess. Go after her!"I could feel my temples pounding, knowing he could snap and kill her. If that happened, I would be next.So, I shifted gears. "I had that dream, too. It was real."His eyes widened. "What?""Let Frida go, and I'll explain," I sai