All Chapters of This Time, I Married "the Freak": Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

When I said I'd marry Blake Baillieu in Dana's place, my parents swapped one of those quiet, relieved looks."You sure? No take-backs," Dad said.The memory of suffocating still burned around my mouth. I nodded. "Yeah. I'm sure."They didn't argue. Just nodded, all silent approval.I let out a bitter laugh. 'Knew it.'Last time, same setup. They called rock-paper-scissors the "fairest" way to decide.Please. Like they didn't notice I always lost to Dana.They never stopped to think I was losing on purpose.But for Michael? I played for real.When I finally beat her, they freaked. Tried to make it a best-of-three.Didn't matter—I won ten rounds straight. They had no choice but to suck it up.And now? Even though I won, I'm choosing Blake.My parents were all in. Probably scared I'd flip again.Dad locked it down fast. "Then it's settled. Claire marries Blake Baillieu. Dana gets the family business."Just then, someone blew into the room like a freaking hurricane and yanked

Chapter 2

"Dana, we can finally be together!"Michael grabbed her hand and bolted, probably off to broadcast their love story.I watched them go, eyes ice cold, then turned to my parents.Funny. Last time I told them about Michael and me, they acted like I'd committed a crime.We were "siblings," remember? So it was suddenly some twisted, incest scandal.They called me shameless. Disgusting. Immoral.But now that it was Dana? Suddenly, it was a love story worth celebrating.Realizing how loud their bias was, Dad cleared his throat."Claire, don't worry. We'll prepare a generous wedding gift. We won't let anyone look down on you."I let out a soft laugh. "Alright."I didn't expect anything from them anymore.Might as well take whatever scraps they offered.***I went to a bridal fashion show to pick out a dress—and guess who was sitting in the same row?Michael and Dana. All smiles, pointing at models and whispering about wedding styles.In my past life, I'd wanted the same. A real

Chapter 3

"Michael, Claire only acted that way because she likes you too much. Don't blame her. If it'll make things right, I'll marry into the Baillieu family instead."The second Dana mentioned the Baillieu family, Michael's face darkened. He remembered exactly how her last life ended.A cruel glint flashed in his eyes as he ground his heel down on my fingers.Pain ripped through my hand, sharp and hot, shooting straight to my chest."Claire Chevron," he hissed, "you'd better marry into the Baillieu family—or I'll let those freaks have another go at you."Then he walked off with Dana, leaving me on the floor, staring at my swollen fingers, the pain throbbing with every heartbeat."Michael... I get it now. I won't love you again. I can't."***I stumbled home in a daze and found my family casually eating dinner.The moment I walked in, my parents looked up—awkward, surprised."Claire, what are you doing back? Weren't you supposed to stay at the Baillieu estate today?"I glanced at th

Chapter 4

I was still caught in memories of my past life when Dana staggered toward me, eyes wild."Since you stole everything from me before, you can suffer for me this time," she hissed. "I'll take everything you care about."She kept moving closer—then suddenly hurled herself backward."Ah! Claire, why did you push me?!"Her forehead cracked against the floor, blood pouring instantly.I didn't even get the chance to react.A figure stormed into the room and slammed a kick into my side, sending me flying into the corner.My back crashed against the cabinet, pain exploding up my spine as I collapsed, gasping on the floor.Michael didn't even glance at me. He dropped to his knees beside Dana, scooped her up, and rushed to grab the first aid kit.I coughed hard, body shaking as I tried to stand—but every time, I crumpled back down.When he finally finished playing hero, Michael turned to me.He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my head up, forcing me to kneel in front of Dana."

Chapter 5

Mr. Chevron didn't clock the shift in Michael's expression. Just let out a tired sigh."Claire left two days ago—the same day Dana killed her lamb. I told her not to mess with Claire's stuff..."Michael's ears rang like a thunderclap just cracked open inside his skull.Claire. The girl who'd loved him so much in their last life. The one who begged him to save her while she bled out—was now married. To someone else.He'd been so sure there'd be no one after him. Thought if she flinched, he'd just show up, guilt her, and shut the whole Baillieu deal down.It never even crossed his mind she'd rather marry Blake than stay with him.Memories hit him: her fingers crushed under his shoe at the bridal show, the way she was forced to kneel, her head slammed into the ground, her last-life cries as blood pooled between her legs.And her voice. 'Michael, I don't love you anymore.'The thought blew apart in his head. He just stood there, frozen.Dana slipped her cold hand into his, all wor

Chapter 6

After marrying into the Baillieu family, I figured out real quick—Dana was lying.Blake wasn't a freak. He just had autism, but that didn't stop him from being kind to me.And his family? They also valued me. If anything went down, they would tell me instantly.Sometimes I'd catch Blake staring, those eyes all intense, and I'd think, 'Does he truly have autism like they said?'Didn't really matter though. I was finally free. I could breathe. Do whatever I wanted.Then came the day Blake and I hit the mall for some clothes.His mom said he hadn't been out in forever and asked me to drag him along.Of course, fate just had to throw Michael and Dana in our path—clinging to each other.The second Michael saw me, he lit up."Claire, they said you married that freak from the Baillieu family. I didn't believe it!"I took a sharp step back."Yeah, I did. So back off. My husband wouldn't be cool with this."His face dropped. Like actually glitched. Just stood there, stunned.Dana,

Chapter 7

He growled, "I'm taking Claire with me. No matter what."I didn't wait. Yanked myself free and ran straight into Blake's arms.He stiffened for half a beat, then pulled me close like it was the most natural thing in the world.Michael's and Dana's faces? Total meltdown. Clearly, they hadn't updated their Blake files.Dana was the first to short-circuit.What I didn't know—at the time—was maybe she'd figured something out in our past life. Maybe she'd realized Blake had only pretended to be slow. Maybe she'd even tried to seduce him and got shut down hard.Now she was trembling, finger aimed right at him."You accepted HER? Why? Why is it okay for her but not for me?" Her voice cracked, sliding into full-blown hysteria, face twisted in disbelief. "You were supposed to push her away!"You should've had her thrown into a dog cage and buried alive—just like before! Why is it different this time? This isn't right! It can't be!"I arched a brow. So that's what happened to her in my

Chapter 8

I tried to stay calm—But Dana slapped me hard."Bitch! We both married into the Baillieu family—so why does Blake treat you like gold while I got tossed in a dog cage? Go on, look up. See who I brought for you."Before I could move, a fat man shuffled up beside me, grinning with drool on his chin.My blood ran cold. I thrashed against the ropes, heart pounding.That face—the deputy chief's slow son—was straight out of my worst nightmares."Heh... wifey, you're my wifey..."He stepped closer.I screamed, "Help! Somebody help me!"Another slap."Help you? Dream on. I want you to feel what it's like—humiliation, disgust, everything I went through." Dana's voice was poison. "You've always wanted to know what I texted Michael, right?"Fine. I told him we played rock-paper-scissors and I won. But since you refused to marry Blake, our parents forced me instead.""You're lying! I won!"She laughed, wild and unhinged. "Of course I lied—but he bought it. He still doesn't know I tri

Chapter 9

Blake carried me all the way home.I was still shaking a little, but the panic was finally wearing off."How come you can talk..." I started.Blake cut in. "I was in the car when you guys were talking. Figured something was off, so I followed you. Michael did too, for whatever reason."I wanted to step in earlier, but he stopped me. Wouldn't let me go 'til Dana spilled everything."He paused, then added, "I've always been able to talk. Just didn't see the point before."I let out a short laugh, but it didn't stick. My mind circled back to my family."Do you think my family's a total mess? I mean, a brother and sister—adopted or not—in that kind of relationship... If you don't wanna be with me—"Blake pulled me in, tight. His voice was low but firm. "Don't go there. We're married. Your family's mine now too. Whatever happens, we face it together."I nodded and melted into his arms.***The next morning, a jogger found Dana's body in the woods—Patrick was right there, fast asl

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