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.

GENERAL

Both families and guests froze at the sight of a different groom when Sarah and Knox walked into the hall. Everyone halted their actions and stared at them with mixed expressions.

Gerald, who was just getting up to walk forward, stopped in his tracks when he saw his girlfriend and uncle.

"What!" he spurted, staggering slightly. He sank back into his seat, his jaw hanging open.

His mother and aunt rushed to him.

"What's happening, Gerald? Why is that girl with your devilish uncle? Isn't she your girlfriend?" his mother asked, her voice sharp with anger, matching her expression.

Beads of sweat covered Gerald's forehead. Their voices barely reached him. He was shocked beyond words. He was still trying to comprehend what was happening and why it was happening.

"We can't keep waiting, sister. Gerald is too shocked to talk," his aunt said exasperatedly. "Do you know what? Let's stop the engagement before it happens. We can't let Knox steal his nephew's woman," the aunt suggested, and the mother nodded in agreement.

The duo rushed forward and intercepted them before they got to the ring.

"I didn't think the mighty Knox would bring his cruelty into his family," Gerald's mother blurted out, her eyes scanning the couple with disgust. "She's your nephew's girlfriend, and this engagement party is for them," she added with an eye roll.

Knox's lips stretched into something that didn't feel like a smile. A chill ran down Gerald's mother's spine. She knew the smile wasn't as real as it looked. It was a warning.

But she couldn't stop. This concerned her reputation. A lot of her friends from the elite group were present. She wasn't ready to lose her respect and ego.

"Even if she's a shameless two-timer, I didn't think you would go ahead with her to ruin your own nephew's engagement party. Have you lost all respect for this family?" The aunt shouted; the veins in her neck popped out.

Again, Knox smiled widely, increasing their fury.

"This engagement cannot hold between you two. She belongs to your nephew," Gerald's mom asserted.

At that moment, Sarah couldn't hold her anger anymore. The way they spoke about her as if she were some sort of product that could only be claimed by her son infuriated her. However, before she could react, Knox let out a low laugh.

It wasn't exactly laughter-it sent goosebumps across their skin. They bit their lower lips to suppress the trepidation gripping them. They couldn't show their weakness yet-not until they fought for their son.

Then he leaned forward.

Their breath caught in their throats.

He faced Gerald's mother. "Only my dead parents can stop this engagement from happening today, Auntie." His eyes darkened. "But they are no more because you killed them," he added in a whisper, low enough for only her to hear.

Gerald's mother and his aunt's bodies tightened at the statement. They stared for a few seconds, then held hands and pulled aside.

"It's time for our engagement, little girl," Knox informed Sarah, who nodded.

She didn't hear what he said to them, but their reactions were enough to tell her that whatever they heard would haunt them for days.

When they got to where the Mossanaites' ring was placed, Knox pushed it aside and brought out an almond-shaped diamond ring.

Everyone in the hall gasped at it, slowly getting to their feet to get a full glimpse. Since everyone in the hall was well-to-do, it wasn't surprising that they knew the worth of the ring.

Sarah wasn't left out.

She nearly gasped in shock when she saw it. It was beyond surprising to her because she knew the brand of the ring wasn't even located in the country. How did he get it within twenty-four hours?

"When did you prepare this?" she asked, her eyes fixed on it.

"Midnight," he responded. "It was sent over by private jet," he added, making Sarah go through another round of shock.

"I didn't know you were that rich," she mumbled in a low tone, but it didn't escape Knox's ears.

"Well, I'm verrrrrryyyy rich. I don't think we can ever spend it all," he joked.

She had more questions to ask, but the host didn't give her the chance.

Knox was asked to put the ring on her finger, and he did. Afterward, they waited for the guests to congratulate them one after the other.

Then Sarah's sister, Amara, appeared. As soon as Sarah saw her, her smile faded and her mood turned sour. She rolled her eyes and let out a breath.

"The mood spoiler is here," she murmured.

And just as Amara got there, she seized Sarah's hand and dragged her out of the hall. Knox tried to intervene, but Sarah gestured, "I can handle it," to him.

"What are you doing, Amara? I can work, you know," Sarah muttered as they got outside.

Amara didn't stop dragging her until they got to the garden. It was dimly lit, silent, and peaceful.

"Why did you pull-?"

"Shut your filthy mouth, Sarah," Amara snapped, causing Sarah to swallow her words. Her eyes reddened, and her veins throbbed with anger. From her shaky hands, Sarah could tell that Amara was extremely exasperated, and that only excited her. She wanted more-more frustration, more anger, more hate.

"Amara, what did I do? Why are you angry?" she feigned ignorance.

"Today is my engagement, sister. Aren't you supposed to be happy for me? Or are you angry that I might get married before you?" Sarah felt the urge to laugh after saying that, but she suppressed it by digging her nails into her skin.

"Stop acting all innocent, Sarah. Yes, today is your engagement, but it's supposed to be with Gerald, not his uncle," she flared, pointing toward the entrance. "You fucking cheated on Gerald. Choosing his uncle over him?" She scoffed. "That's the highest form of betrayal I've ever come across," she shouted.

Sarah rolled her eyes, her patience thinning.

SARAH

I almost puked at Amara's pretense.

This was the highest form of betrayal she had seen?

I snorted.

I had seen worse. They were making out while I was drowning-moaning while I was dying.

What did she even know about betrayal? Anyone who saw Amara overreacting would think she truly cared about me, when it was all about her own interests. Their plans must have been ruined by me tonight. Yeah... they were supposed to make out after the engagement party, but I thought that wouldn't be able to happen because of Gerald's affected mood.

"End it with him, Sarah. Now." Amara's authoritative voice wafted into my ears, pulling me out of my thoughts.

One of my brows rose. "Huh?" I blurted out.

"Yes, Sarah. You will break up with him and accept Gerald's engagement ring. Gerald loves you. Knox doesn't. That man is a devil."

The last strand holding my patience snapped the moment she called Knox a devil. My hand moved before my mind could catch up, and the slap echoed between us. She staggered and slumped onto the floor, clutching her reddened cheek.

"You slapped me, Sarah," she cried out. "Because of that bastard? What has he done to you?" she shouted.

"If you weren't on the floor, I would have slapped you one more time for calling him a bastard," I threatened, and she gasped, her eyes widening. "Watch your mouth when you speak about my man, Amara. I don't care what you have against him, but you don't get to disrespect him," I shouted, pointing a warning finger at her.

She couldn't believe her eyes.

I also couldn't believe my hand could be so quick to hit her. Well, I was glad it did, even though it was nothing compared to the pain she caused me in my past life.

She stood up and pointed a finger at me. "You are making the wrong decision, Sarah. You chose a man over your sister. You are going insane." She took steps backward as she spoke. I guessed she was scared of another slap.

"Let me make the wrong decision, sister," I responded. "If you want him so badly, Amara... then have him. Marry him. I'm sure you both suit each other," I shot back.

Something shifted in her eyes the moment I said that, but it disappeared before I could name it. With gritted teeth, she made a "fuck you" gesture and bolted off.

I erupted into hysterical laughter as I watched her run away. She was terrified. That was enough for me for the day. My engagement party was successful.

I was still laughing when I felt a familiar grip around my waist. Before I could see who it was, he dragged me closer, my back hitting his chest. His scent hit me instantly-sharp, familiar, and grounding-and my lips subconsciously curled into a smile.

"I shouldn't say this... but watching you slap her was satisfying. I wouldn't mind seeing that again," he murmured in a breathy whisper against my neck.

A mixture of warmth and cold spread through my body. Closing my eyes, I inhaled his scent and nodded. "You were watching?"

"You didn't think I'd stay back as you told me, did you?" he replied, still holding me in place. We moved gently to the soft music drifting from the hall.

"Why?" I asked in a low voice. "You still don't trust me?"

Silence followed my question. I felt his hands grow cold, and our movement briefly halted before resuming.

"The one I have a problem with is Amara. She has your loyalty. Who knows what she might be telling you?" he mumbled.

He neither said he trusted me nor denied it, which meant he didn't. It stung, but I didn't expect his trust so easily, barely twenty-four hours after I chose him as my fiancé. My actions were suspicious, so his feelings were valid.

Turning, I faced him and placed my hands on his shoulders. "You don't need to worry about Amara, Knox. Focus on me," I assured him.

Silence followed. We moved rhythmically to the soft music, listening to each other's gentle heartbeat. The breeze blew softly, slow but steady. Everything seemed perfect in that moment. Maybe that was the reassurance I needed to remind myself that I had made the right decision.

"Sarah," my mother's voice called from behind me.

Knox and I broke apart, and I turned.

There they were... my parents, and from their expressions, I knew it was time to explain myself.

I turned to Knox and muttered, "Excuse me, Knox. I'll join you after I speak with my parents."

He nodded and gave me a reassuring smile.

"What is happening?" my mother asked as soon as we settled in the car. It was the only quiet place we could talk, since everywhere else was noisy and filled with people. Reporters could be lurking around, and being trending news was not the kind of drama my family wanted to be involved in.

"Mum, Dad... do you trust me?" I asked, studying their faces to gauge their reaction.

As expected, they remained neutral. That was typical of them. The truth was, they actually liked Knox. In fact, he had been their first choice, but I had been blinded by love and deceit and kept choosing Gerald. Since they loved me so much, they had no choice but to accept him.

Now, it seemed everything had worked out for the best. I had ended up with the first man my parents chose.

"You know we do, damsel. Talk to us. What's the problem?" my father urged. "Why him, Sarah? Why Knox instead of Gerald?"

"I don't think the one I truly love is Gerald," I replied truthfully. Or maybe it was a lie, because I had loved him until twenty-four hours ago. "I think I love Knox."

"You think?" my mother cut in. "Do you think so, or do you truly love him? Do you know jumping between both men will only bring disrespect to the family when people find out?" she added, her voice growing harsher. I saw Father tap her gently, signaling her to calm down.

"I know what I want, Mother. I was just confused for a moment because I thought he was the one who saved me from drowning."

My mind froze when I realized I had almost revealed the truth. My parents stared at me suspiciously.

"I... I mean... I was just attracted to him because he saved me. The one I truly love is Knox," I said quickly, throwing out whatever explanation I could think of and silently praying they wouldn't probe further.

"Are you sure, damsel? What if you change your mind tomorrow?" my father asked softly.

"I won't, Father. Trust me. There's no reason for me to change my mind when Knox treats me better," I said firmly.

The two of them exchanged glances, then looked back at me and nodded in unison.

"We will trust you one more time, damsel. But you know there are consequences for every action."

"I know, Dad. And I promise there won't be any regret. Just trust my decision," I urged, holding their hands and pouting.

They smiled and nodded in approval.

And that was it.

I had no concerns anymore.

This time, I wouldn't be the victim. I would be the one who destroyed everything.