Chapter 4

I met Adrian's gaze without a trace of fear.

"You're right. If you don't bring Mrs. Quirrel over, I'll kill myself right here. I'll turn your wedding into a funeral."

Adrian's face darkened, and his hand shot out to clamp around my throat.

"How dare you!"

I stared at him fearlessly, with open contempt. In my past life, my fear of him and my desperate need for his approval led to that terrible end.

But now, I am no longer afraid. What was the worst Adrian could do? Kill me?

I instinctively struggled as Adrian's hand tightened around my throat. Just when I thought he was about to strangle me to death, a sharp voice rang out.

"Adrian, let her go this instant. What on earth are you doing?"

His grip on my neck loosened slightly, and I took the opportunity to gasp for air.

Lydia stood at the doorway with a stern expression. Beside her was Susan Keller from the villa next door.

Lydia glared at Adrian before forcing a strained smile toward her guest.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Gillan. Please excuse the commotion." Lydia smiled awkwardly, then grabbed my arm and helped me to my feet.

"She's the young woman I told you about. Her name is Claire Milton, the one the astrologer said has a healing presence."

The moment I saw Susan's face, memories from my past life surged back. Her only son, Charlie Gillan, apparently died of cancer the night before my wedding.

Her eyes were hollow with grief, but when she looked at me, a fragile spark of hope flickered within. She reached out and clasped my hand tightly.

"Ms. Milton, I know my request sounds inappropriate… But my son's critically ill. The doctors say there's nothing more they can do."

Tears silently rolled down Susan's cheeks as she continued, "I'm out of options. I've reached a point where I'm willing to try anything.

"Please marry my son. Your chart holds the kind of healing energy he needs to stay alive. Will you agree to do this? All I ask is that you help him stay alive."

A sudden insight flashed through my mind.

"I will," I said.

Charlie was a well-known gentleman in the community, known for his modesty. A man like him didn't deserve such a fate. Besides, marrying him would mean my freedom from Adrian.

As soon as I said that, Adrian, who had been standing nearby with a sullen expression, shouted, "What the hell are you talking about? I won't allow it."

He lunged toward me, but Lydia grabbed his arm. "Adrian! What are you doing?"

Adrian ignored his mother and stared at me intently. "Claire! How dare you agree to this?"

I smiled coldly. "Why wouldn't I?"

As though fearing I might change my mind, Susan quickly pulled out a marriage contract from her bag. I knew what the document was because I had signed one before in my past life.

"The astrologer said, as soon as you sign here, your stars will immediately align with Charlie's. You… You have to sign… Please."

I took the pen without hesitation and signed my name.

As I finished the final stroke and lifted my gaze, I met Adrian's venomous gaze. I could see it clearly now—the signs of his decline were written on his face, darker and more defined than ever before.

"Claire… Milton… You bitch, how dare you betray me!" he roared.

He was about to lunge at me when his body suddenly froze. He clutched his chest, and his face contorted in agony. Then, he coughed up a torrent of crimson blood.