Chapter 3

"I don't understand what you're talking about."

I backed away in pain, but I couldn't break free from his grip.

"In our last life, you kept Miriam and me apart until death. In this one, you’re going to compensate her," Julian said.

"The blood of the Old Bloodline is the purest there is. Miriam’s pregnancy is at risk because she had to bow to you. You’re going to slit your wrists and give her your blood to stabilize the baby.

"Do as you're told, and I'll let you go in a month. If you don't, that familiar won't live to see another day."

Without another word, he had his men tie me up and lock me in the guest room next to his.

Not only was I forced to bleed for her three times a day, but he lit incense which causes insomnia every night, chaining me to the foot of the bed to watch them together.

Julian would kiss Miriam passionately, and the room filled with a lingering, suffocating intimacy.

In my past life, Julian only touched me when he was drunk, treating it like a rough, obligatory task. It turned out his tenderness was reserved solely for Miriam.

"Cece... I can finally be with you," he murmured.

I shuddered.

Every time we had been together in the past, Julian had whispered "Cece". It made me believe that perhaps, in some corner of his heart, there was a place for me.

But Miriam’s middle name was Macy. Cece was her nickname.

He had only been able to touch me by chanting her name.

Tears fell silently, mocking the pathetic self-delusion of my previous life. I didn't love Julian anymore, yet my heart still radiated a dull, fragmented ache.

A month passed, and I was barely clinging to life.

Even though I had fed Haze every remaining elixir I had, the fox was weak and exhausted from the shared agony of my daily bloodletting.

I held Haze and knelt before Julian’s door for three days and three nights.

Finally, he returned with Miriam by his side.

"The month is up. Unchain me and let me leave," I said.

Julian’s face darkened instantly, his voice dripping with displeasure. "You knelt here all this time just to get away from me?"

I let out a harsh laugh, my eyes cold and resolute. "What else? I’ve already stepped aside for you and Miriam. What more do you want?"

A sudden, sharp irritation flared in Julian’s chest.

"Is staying with the Thornes not good enough? I can't marry you, but since you've helped Miriam with the pregnancy, I can ensure you never want for anything again".

Miriam's internal alarms blared. She put on a sweet, compliant smile.

"Since sis is so desperate to go, just let her leave," Miriam said.

"But I heard familiar meat is incredibly nourishing for pregnant women. Why don't you let me have a taste before she goes? Consider it a parting gift for me, Jules..."

He hesitated, but Miriam gave a sharp look to the side.

A servant lunged forward and snatched Haze from my arms.

"No! It'll die! Haze has been with me for eighteen years. It’s the only family I have left in this world! You can't be this cruel!"

Miriam crossed her arms and looked down at me, a sadistic smile playing on her lips.

"Am I not family to you, Sis?"

I threw myself forward, grabbing Julian's leather shoes.

"That fox is half my life... I'll give you as much blood as you want! Just let Haze go!"

"I'm begging you!"

It was the first time in two lifetimes I had ever been so small, so desperate before him.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Julian's eyes, his knuckles turning white.

"Forget it—"

Before he could finish, Miriam threw herself into his arms, weeping uncontrollably.

"Sis, you’re being so hurtful! I’m only trying to save Julian. I thought the meat would help the baby!"

Suddenly, she clutched her stomach. "It hurts! Jules, help me..."

"Miriam! What are you all standing around for? Slaughter the fox!" Julian screamed, frantically catching her as she collapsed.

The servants pinned Haze down and raised the blade.

In an instant, pain like a thousand steel needles pierced every single nerve in my body.