Chapter 2

Mia’s POV

“Eliana, are you even listening to me?!” A sharp voice called out, nudging me violently. 

I flinched, blinking, only for something harsh to land on my back. My eyes widened as pain exploded through my spine.

I turned around immediately to see a man holding a bloodstained whip, raising it again. My nose flared up in anger.

“I swear, if that shit touches me one more time, I’m chopping your balls off!” I yelled out, and the man froze.

I glared at him, wincing, then faced front to stare at an empty room. What the fuck does dude thinks he’s doing?

And how the fuck did I even get here?

I glanced back at the man. “How did I get here?”

He only dropped the whip and went down on his knees. “I’m sorry, my lady. You were the one who said to take the punishment for My Lord,” he muttered.

“Excuse me?” I frowned hard.

I got beaten for some stupid My Lord? What My Lord? And why is he calling me my lady? What in hell name is going on here?

“Where am I? And who the fuck is My Lord? Just tell me what’s going on here!” I snapped.

He glanced up, his eyes widening and his mouth hanging open. My eyes finally raked over him, he looked like a butcher. 

His clothes seemed like something straight out of the old days, and his beard was long. I glanced back at his face, and he immediately looked down at the floor.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” he whispered, his voice dripping with dread.

“You—”

The doors swung open, cutting me off, and I looked back to see a familiar face walking in. 

Xavier.

And why is he even dressed like that?

“Oh my god, Ana. Are you okay?” He rushed over, reaching for my arm, his hand gently stroking my hair.

A small, confused smile tugged at my lips at his handsome face. When did we even get this close?

Why… wait a minute. 

Did he just call me Ana?

A deep frown settled on my features, and I shifted away from him. “Ana? Are you calling me another woman’s name?” I scoffed.

“You forgot your own name? Eliana, what’s wrong with you? And I’m so sorry. I’m really sorry you had to take the lashes for me. Grandfather really should stop with all this. It’s sick,” he said, his voice cracking as if he were about to cry.

Memories flashed into my mind.

Memories that didn’t feel like mine at all.

Memories of me at a banquet with Xavier sitting beside me. We looked like a married couple, until a man I called grandfather entered and ordered lashes for Xavier who was referred to as Angelo. 

I had accepted to be the one beaten, and then I was brought here. Wait, how the fuck do I know all of this? 

Why was he referred to as Angelo?

“Eliana?” A hand nudged me, and I blinked, staring blankly back at him.

“I’m really sorry. I told Lily to get you medicine, and she’s already here. Let’s go,” he said sweetly.

Different memories slammed into me all at once. I shut my eyes sharply as unfamiliar voices whispered, cried, and shouted names inside my head. 

*Grandfather, please?!*

*Uncle Archer, please help, beg Grandfather?!*

*Please don’t do this to Angelo?!*

*I’ll marry him. Yes!*

*Lily, why were you kissing Angelo?!*

*Eliana, get back here?!*

The voices kept coming, alongside flashing images of me crying, of me watching two people kiss, of me walking down the aisle. 

Images of me dying in a car crash.

And finally, a single phrase written in blood across a mirror: Life Ain’t Roses

I breathed out, snapping my eyes open. Hot tears rushed down my cheeks as my gaze locked onto Xavier, frantically searching his features.

This can’t be…

“Angelo…?” I breathed out, desperately hoping he wouldn't reply, hoping he’d shout and ask who the hell I was talking about.

“Yes, it’s me, baby. Are you okay?” He stepped closer, his face warm.

All the blood drained from my face. My gaze drifted down to the dress I was wearing, then to my skin, which looked completely normal.

My hair wasn't even my normal hair color. I couldn't possibly be inside Life Ain’t Roses, right?

It couldn't be…

“Eliana, are you okay?” Angelo asked, his voice sharp.

I tore my arm out of his grip and made a break for the door, running as fast as I could. This can’t be. This can’t fucking happen.

It just can’t…

My foot slipped, and just as I started to fall, a hand grabbed onto mine, holding me in place before yanking me backward. 

My body slammed hard against a solid surface, a human-like wall. I raised my head slowly. “Brandon?” I mumbled, my eyes soaked with tears.

“Brandon?” he repeated slowly, as if testing the word on his tongue.

“Four…?” I swallowed hard. He didn’t say a word, just locked his dark gaze with mine.

“Eliana, why are you in the arms of your Grandfather's adopted son?!” A loud voice rang out from behind us. I pulled away, looking back to see an older woman's face twisted in fury.

“Gianna?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Her expression darkened even more. “How dare you call me by my name! I’m your aunt!” she yelled, before breaking into a sharp cough.

Of course. The asthmatic aunt.

I’m Eliana? Xavier is Angelo? Brandon is Four? And Lily, my alleged best friend? And Grandfather? Uncle Arthur? Aunt Gianna?

Aren’t these people characters in Life Ain’t Roses?! What the fuck is going on here???

“You speak when I’m talking to you!” a voice boomed, followed by a hand swinging toward my face.

Instinctively, I caught her wrist mid-swing, glaring daggers straight at the owner of the hand. “Raise that hand one more fucking time!” I spat, throwing her arm away.

She staggered backward, absolute shock written all over her face.

I scanned the faces before me, Brandon neutral face, Aunt Gianna shocked face, Xavier confused face standing afar off. 

The look they had on just presses my button more. Just what the fuck is going on? What..?!

“Would someone in the fucking universe tell me if this is a fucking show?!” I yelled out, my chest heaving.

Is the transmigration shits I read about in novels actually happening to me right now?