SARAH

"Ahhhh!!!" I shouted, jerking myself from the unknown force that kept pulling me deeper into my slumber. The bulb glowed softly above me. I blinked, trying to understand what had just happened. Why wasn't I in the water?

My eyes scanned the room. There were two chairs, two other beds, and a shelf beside each of them. While I was still trying to comprehend where I was, the sharp smell of drugs wafted into my nose and made my stomach churn.

If I could feel this... did that mean I was still alive? When my eyes lowered, I saw the hospital gown on me. That meant I was at the hospital.

Gasping, I sat up. How did I get here? Was I saved by the rescue team? But how was that possible? I remembered drowning until everything went black.

At the same time, the door opened, and my parents hurried in. When our eyes met, they rushed over, and my mother pulled me into a tight hug.

"My darling, you're finally awake," she said, breaking the hug and grinning in relief.

I was confused and shocked at the same time. My mind couldn't process anything. How did I end up here?

My father came closer and patted my head gently. "Thank you for surviving, my dear. Your mother and I wouldn't have been able to forgive ourselves if something bad had happened to you," he mumbled, nodding, a grateful smile hanging on his lips.

I stared at them. If they were talking about survival, did that mean I really survived...

"Did the excitement of your engagement make you lose your appetite? You kept straining yourself until your body couldn't take the workload anymore and collapsed," my mother stated. "Have you imagined how it would have felt if you had fainted at your engagement party tomorrow?" she added.

Wait. If she was talking about my engagement, that meant... This was years before I died.

But why? How? I was certain I got married to Gerald, and everything that happened afterward was real. So how did I find myself in the past? What was this supposed to mean? Was I given another chance? Gosh! I'm going crazy. I never thought rebirth was real.

"Sarah!" I was startled. "Sarah... are you okay?" My mother's voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me out.

I tilted my head and took her hands in mine. "I... I'm sorry, Mum. You know how much I love Gerald. So the thought of being his fiancée tomorrow made me skip meals unknowingly."

Thinking about this same scenario in the past, I would call myself a fool. I actually skipped meals because I was afraid I would gain weight before my engagement, and God forbid I looked bad beside Gerald in the engagement pictures.

The door opened, and my sister Amara appeared, and behind her was Gerald. The sight of Amara and Gerald sent memories rushing in like waves. Something twisted painfully in my chest. They even walked in together. I wouldn't be surprised if they came here right after a hot round of sex.

"Sister!" Amara rushed over and attempted to pull me into a hug, but I shifted to the side. Her arms hung when she saw my reaction, and her smile froze. "What, sister? Did something happen?" she asked.

Her voice made my blood boil. Gosh! Her fake smile and act of vulnerability churned my stomach with irritation. She was really good at her game; I shouldn't blame myself for not being able to see through both of them until I got killed in my previous life.

My gaze shifted to Gerald, who was staring at me with eyes full of smiles and relief. I cringed. How did I find that smile sexy and contagious in the past?

"Is there something wrong, Sarah? Why do you keep looking at everybody without talking? We were all worried about you. Your sister almost peed herself when she heard you fainted," he said. Every word sounded like a dog's bark and a cow's moo in my ears.

"No, Gerald. Nothing is wrong. I just don't think all that drama is needed. I only fainted. It isn't death," I muttered without sparing Roseline a glance.

Gerald chuckled. He sat beside me and held my hands. As soon as his hands touched mine, it felt like I was being pierced by thousands of needles, but I endured. I didn't want to raise suspicion. Not now.

"Your sister is just worried about you, Sarah. She cherishes you so much and always does things in your interest," he spoke softly. "So I don't want you to see anything she does as dramatic. She loves you so much, and being loud about you is the only way she can show how much you mean to her."

Oh! Of course, you'd defend her.

Being an advocate for your woman must be thrilling.

I stared at him for a few seconds, flashed a half-smile, and nodded, pulling my hands from his smoothly. "I heard you, Gerald." Then, I faced Amara. "I'm sorry for acting that way when you tried to touch me. I don't know why I suddenly feel like the affection isn't real, so I..."

"That's not the way to speak, Sarah." My mother scolded me. I pursed my lips and nodded. I loved how my mother was always assisting me at the right time. I really didn't want to have a full-length conversation with Roseline, and she helped with that.

⸻

After another two hours, I was discharged. Gerald and Amara left thirty minutes after their visit. Their excuse was that they wanted to go back to the engagement venue to check the preparation and arrangements. Deep down, I knew they just wanted to spend more time together, and I didn't even bother to stop them. Their presence made me uneasy. It was better to have them out of my space.

The car was quiet as we drove back home. Resting my head against the window, I allowed my mind to run wild. My engagement to Gerald is tomorrow, and getting married to him would lead to my untimely death right after finding out I was pregnant.

My death in my previous life was pathetic. I was pathetic. I lived pathetically, but not anymore. Not in this life. Not when I've been given a second chance... a pen to rewrite my story and make things right. I would be a fool to let history repeat itself. Never.

"Can you drop me off at the subway?" I asked our chauffeur. My mum and dad stared at me for a few seconds. I didn't need to be told what those stares meant.

I giggled to ease the tension. "I... I just want to check on Gerald at home. I suddenly miss him," I lied with a smile.

"Gerald...? He should be at the event hall with Roseline. They both-"

"They already left. He texted me to let me know he had gotten home a few minutes ago," I lied, hoping they wouldn't probe further.

My mother wanted to say something, but my father touched her and squeezed her hand.

"Let us know if there's any trouble, huh?" my father said, and I nodded.

I was dropped off at the subway as requested, then I hailed a taxi and headed toward Gerald's uncle's house.

Once I got there, I scanned the driver's QR code, made the payment, and rushed in.

I hadn't gotten to the entrance door when my steps slowed and finally halted. The man I was looking for, the one who saved me from drowning two years ago and the one who could stop this engagement, stood a few steps away from the door, with one hand in his pocket and the other holding a phone to his ear.

Tears rushed to my eyelids. He should have been the man I married in the past. He loved me so much. I didn't know how, but I believed Gerald was my savior when this man was the one who always helped me out of every problem I encountered in my previous life. How did I never suspect Gerald? God... I was such a fool. How did I not see it? 

Wiping the tears from my face, I kept walking until I stopped in front of him. He was still on the phone, but his eyes didn't leave my body. They were dark, shining, and filled with possessiveness. That was how he had always looked at me. It didn't change-not even when I got married to his cousin in the past.

"Look who we have here. My nephew's little girlfriend who will turn fiancée tomorrow," he teased, expressionless.

My lips parted, but before I could say a word, he snatched my waist and pulled me to himself. My breath hitched, and my body tightened as his cologne drifted into my nose. My lashes quivered, and my eyes fell on his abs. Gosh! They were well-defined under the blue shirt.

"Are you here because you've had a change of mind? What? Will you marry me instead of my nephew?" he asked, a smirk hanging on his lips, piercing his gaze into mine, his jaw clenched.

I didn't respond. I stared unblinkingly and hiccupped softly.

Then his lips curled into a smile. The smile only lasted a second before it turned into a dark expression. He moved closer to my ear and whispered, "Do you know what you are doing, Sarah? Coming to my house alone when your engagement is tomorrow... You've got some courage, I must confess." He pulled back afterward.

Tightening my jaw, I pursed my lips and let out a deep breath. "Let me show you how much courage I've gathered." Before he could blink, I rose on my toes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and captured his lips with mine.

SARAH

I felt his body tense against mine, but it only took him a second before he grabbed me tighter and returned the kiss. Heat crawled to my neck and face.

After a few seconds that stretched endlessly, I pulled back, breaking the kiss. I took steps backward. His dark eyes glittered with hunger and lust. At that moment, regret and fear filled me. Maybe I shouldn't have kissed him. What if he decided to take things further than I wanted?

"I... you...," I stuttered. The situation was awkward. What was I supposed to say after kissing him like that? I just suddenly kissed a man I've hated for years. Wouldn't he be suspicious?

His lips tugged into a grimace as he gazed at me, his eyes glittering with mischief. "My nephew's little girlfriend has really got some nerves." He started coming closer, erasing the space between us.

Before I could say anything, he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. His eyes probed mine as though searching for clues about what was happening.

"Tell me," he mumbled. "What's with this trick of yours? Did my nephew send you here?" There was distrust and disappointment in his eyes.

I stared at him for a few seconds and said, "Marry me, Knox. Let's have our engagement party tomorrow."

His brows creased, and confusion briefly crossed his face before it turned into his usual cold and sinister expression. A smile formed on his lips. "Don't joke with me, little girl." He released his grip on my waist and tucked his hands into his pockets. "Tell me... who sent you here? Gerald or his family? What do they want you to get from me?"

The more he emphasized Gerald and his family, the more I suspected that there was something between them. Maybe the relationship between them wasn't as smooth as I thought. Gerald also never liked speaking about his brother, even in my previous life. Well, that explained why Gerald lied to me that he was my savior so he could marry the same woman his uncle had always loved.

Chuckling, I walked to him and ran my fingers across his chest. "For a man who chased me for years, I didn't expect this reaction after hearing my proposal. Why do you think I would be your family's tool against you?" I raised my gaze at him and flashed a flirtatious smile. "I'm going to ask you again, Knox. Do you want to marry me? If yes, let's get engaged tomorrow."

His eyes grew colder, and his aura exuded danger. Goosebumps rose on my skin. I almost reacted out of fear, but I held back. He wouldn't kill me. He loved me so much in the past that he didn't dare marry somebody else because he was afraid of being entangled with someone else by the time I decided to choose him. 

"Do you realize the mess you're walking into?" He grabbed my chin and tilted my head up. His eyes were a mixture of coldness and something almost like intoxication. His fingers grazed my face as he whispered, "Do you also know what will happen to you if I find out you are lying?"

Of course. Who wouldn't know that? Everybody knew he was a heartless and wicked bastard. He was nicknamed "Demon" all over town. There was also a rumor that he killed his business partner because of betrayal. In the past, I didn't believe any of that, yet I couldn't stop myself from running from him. That was one of the reasons I hated him. 

Sighing deeply, I held the hand he placed on my face and smiled. "I know, Knox, and you are free to do whatever you like with me if this turns out to be a deception."

Releasing my face, he nodded. "Does Gerald know about this?"

"No, he doesn't. I have free will, and I'm using it freely," I responded, staring into his eyes.

He snickered. "Your free will might get you into trouble, little girl."

"That's why I have you to protect me. You won't watch people castigate and judge me harshly for choosing you, will you?" I leaned forward.

He stared at me for a few seconds, chuckled, and poked my nose. "I see what you're doing. You want to break the engagement, and you think I'll be the right person to use, huh? Don't you feel indebted to him anymore? He saved you from drowning two years ago." Something shifted in his eyes when he said that, but it disappeared before I could name it.

My heart sank at the statement. I was such a fool. I've been running after the wrong man for years.

Shrugging off the thought, I grabbed his arms tightly. "Aww... you're so smart, Knox, but I'm not using you. I really want to be your bride," I mumbled, intentionally ignoring the 'savior' part. I was scared I might reveal my secret if I kept talking about it.

He encircled his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. He stared into my eyes as if I were some kind of treasure.

"You cannot leave after today, Sarah." His voice was soft for the first time since I had known him.

"I know."

"You will stay with me henceforth," he said.

"I don't mind," I responded.

I didn't care what his conditions were. I just wanted to find a capable ally and take my revenge on those who hurt me in the past.

• 

The next morning, the sound of my phone woke me up. When I opened my eyes, it was already morning, and the rays were filtering through the window.

Picking up my phone, I realized I'd missed countless calls. While I was still trying to check who had called, my father's text came in, asking why I didn't come home the previous night and where I was.

Then I remembered I hadn't texted to inform them I would be sleeping out. Knox wouldn't let me do anything. He took me into the bedroom and stayed with me until I fell asleep. It was as though he was afraid I might vanish if he let me out of his sight even once.

Immediately, I texted my father back and told him I would go directly to the engagement venue when it was time. Afterward, I flung my phone to the side and got out of bed, forgetting entirely about the calls.

Knox was nowhere in sight. With the way he acted last night, I thought he would stay in the same room with me, but it seemed that was just wishful thinking.

When I got downstairs, the workers were everywhere, engaging in different activities. I looked around but didn't see Knox. Just as I was about to head outside, my eyes caught a glimpse of the kitchen, and an idea surged in my mind.

How about I make something good for him to assure him that I was with him? Maybe that would help me gain some of his trust because, even with my explanation yesterday, I could still see doubt in his eyes. Don't get me wrong-I deserved it and wasn't complaining. After everything I did to him, it was only right if he built walls of defense around his heart.

I walked into the kitchen, and the maids gaped at me, surprise and admiration evident in their expressions.

"Hello, Ms. Sarah." A woman dressed differently from the others stepped forward with a smile tugging at her lips. From her demeanor, I could tell she was the head of the maids.

"Good morning, ma'am," I greeted.

"Please, call me Jane. I'm the head of the staff in this house," she introduced. "Mr. Knox told us to give you everything you want. Please kindly tell us what you would like to eat for breakfast," she added.

I looked around, still feeling awkward under so many eyes. I could sense envy in some and curiosity in others. I wouldn't be surprised if I were the first woman Knox had brought into this house.

"I want to cook," I announced, earning surprised glances from them.

Jane smiled. "You don't have to do anything yourself, Ms. Sarah. Just say the word, and we will make sure whatever we prepare suits your palate," she said.

"No, Jane. It's not about me. I want to surprise Knox with breakfast, and if I want it to be a real surprise, I have to make the food," I told her.

She exchanged glances with the others, and they smiled, their cheeks turning red. One after another, they left the kitchen, leaving only Jane and me.

"I'll stay with you in case you need any assistance," she said, bowing slightly, and I went straight to work.

I was about to plate the food when I heard a maid scream, followed by Knox's voice. Fear gripped me.

When I rushed out of the kitchen, I froze the moment I reached the living room.

Knox was strangling a man.

SARAH

The man shuddered violently in his grip.

My lungs constricted as I stepped into the scene, my eyes widening.

"How did you let her walk out of this house?" His voice was the coldest I had ever heard. His eyes were shadowed... deeper than last night. Even though I was steps away from him, I could feel the dangerous and frightening aura oozing from him.

"Knox, do you want to kill a man?" I inquired, still unable to shake off the shock.

I was rethinking whether the rumor about him was actually true. The thought of its possibility sent a cold rush over me.

The moment our eyes met, he flung the man aside and rushed to my side. With uneven breaths, he pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me.

My body tightened at the sudden action.

What is he doing? Why was the whole mansion weirdly quiet? He didn't lose control just because I wasn't in sight... right?

I chuckled.

No fucking way on earth. That was impossible. What was I even thinking?

He broke the hug and placed both hands on my shoulders. "Why aren't you in your room? I looked for you everywhere but couldn't find you." His breathing was erratic.

"Well, you didn't look in the kitchen," I responded, shrugging. "I was in the kitchen... making breakfast for you," I added with a smile.

His gaze shifted above my shoulders, and Jane's voice reverberated almost immediately.

"I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen to-"

He didn't let her finish. He lifted me off the ground into his arms and started walking toward the stairs.

I was stunned. Our proximity made his fury more evident and his presence more terrifying. I couldn't utter a word.

When we got into the bedroom, he put me on the bed and towered over me. Our gazes clashed, searching for something neither of us could name. In my case, I thought I could understand Knox for a second, but it turned out to be a dream.

He was unreadable-cold and distant, yet I could feel that there was an inner conflict within him.

"You're not here to work, little girl," he deadpanned.

I chuckled. "I wasn't working." I grabbed his arm. "I was just trying to make breakfast for you..."

"That's it," he cut in sharply. "That's exactly what I'm telling you not to do. You don't need to lift a finger whenever you are in my house." His voice was high and laced with frustration. "You are my woman, not a maid." He took my hands. "You belong beside me, not in the kitchen."

My brows raised, and my ears instantly turned crimson when he referred to me as his woman. If it were in my past life, I would have cursed him and rejected it, but hearing it in this life sounded weirdly good and addictive.

I almost begged him to repeat that statement.

But hell no. Where is my pride? My ego?

Stifling a laugh, I sat up straight and wrapped my arms around his lean neck. "You don't have to be so serious about this, Knox," I said, smiling. "It's just cooking. It's not like I lifted a truck," I added with a pout.

Despite my explanation, his expression didn't change. He stared at me like I was some sort of clown.

Oh God! Those stares almost made me vanish. I guess he was extremely angry, even though I had no idea why.

"Okay... okay," I raised my hands in defeat. "I'm not going to cook..." I mumbled. "For now," I added, flashing a quick smile before he responded, raising three fingers in a scout's honor.

He didn't react for several seconds. Later, he scoffed and stood straight.

"The engagement team will be here in a few minutes to get you ready for the day." His voice was soft, an indication that his anger had diminished. The air felt lighter-finally breathable, unlike minutes ago.

"Okay, Knox," I responded, nodding.

Still, he hadn't averted his gaze from me. He stared like I was some treasure he was guarding. After what seemed like forever, he exhaled and exited the room.

Although he didn't say a word, his silence spoke loudly. He didn't trust me. He thought I was playing him. He thought Gerald and his family sent me to him.

I knew gaining his trust wouldn't be easy, so I didn't let his reaction get to me. If I wanted sweet revenge, I needed to work hard for it.

Minutes later, the engagement team arrived with dresses, jewelry, shoes, bags, and a makeup artist. There was literally everything I needed and more in my room.

Standing, I scanned the room without blinking. They must be worth a fortune.

Soon, they got to work. While one person was fixing my nails, another was doing my hair, and another was working on my face. Despite having multiple people working on me at the same time, I didn't feel any discomfort because of their professionalism.

"Mr. Brown will surely be knocked off his feet tonight," the head of the team exclaimed as soon as I did my reveal after my final dressing.

My eyes caught my reflection in the vanity. For a second, I couldn't recognize who that woman was. I was different. I could see it clearly; I now had what I lacked in my previous life-confidence and self-love.

Afterward, the team packed up and left the room, leaving me alone. As the clock ticked, I moved nearer to the beginning of my fate. The engagement marked the beginning of my downfall in my previous life. Now, I was about to do the same thing, but with a different intention. Would that change my fate and make me win? Would that be enough to rewrite my story?

A knock on the door dragged me out of my thoughts. When I turned, I found Jane standing by the door. She was equally astounded, and a satisfied smile tugged at her lips.

"The boss said it is time," she finally said after swallowing her shock.

With a smile, I gave a sharp nod.

A loud breath escaped my lungs as I turned and headed outside.

When I got downstairs, Knox turned at the same time, and for a few seconds, he gaped. His Adam's apple stilled as though he found it hard to swallow. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, sparkling with admiration and a sense of pride.

"I didn't make a mistake choosing you, Sarah," he muttered, his eyes still on my dress, especially the slit. "You are damn beautiful, little girl," he complimented. "More than anyone in this world."

Heat crawled to my face.

I lowered my head and smiled shyly.

I knew I looked beautiful, but wasn't that a stretch? More beautiful than everyone in the whole wide world?

He walked to my side and stretched forth his hand. "Ready for our first step to forever?"

Peering into his gaze, I saw sincerity and excitement. Stifling a giggle, I pursed my lips and nodded. I took his hand, and we stepped outside.

The engagement had already started by the time we arrived. The host was saying something, but I couldn't grasp it because my mind was running wild. I didn't know what to expect.

I don't care about Gerald and Amara.

I'm more concerned about what my parents would think and whether they would give their approval.

"Let's welcome the couple as they come forward," the host announced.

My grip on Knox's arm tightened as we walked forward. He noticed how stiff I became and placed his other hand over mine, patting it softly. For someone who rarely smiled, he did it to ease my tension.

"Don't say a word. Let me handle things," he whispered, enough to calm me.

As my anxiety eased, I finally noticed the murmurs spreading across the hall.

And just like that... the real show began.