Chapter 1
My brother, feeling sorry for my decade–long unrequited love, drugged his best friend and delivered him to my bed. I was forced to become the antidote, and when I awoke, Elijah Kensington agreed to marry me with a cold and distant demeanor. But not long after the wedding, he left the country. My daughter and I waited three long years for his return.M
The day we went to the airport to welcome him home, my little girl called out, “Daddy!“–and the woman on his arm, Juliette Lennox, couldn’t handle the betrayal. She ran off in tears, only to be struck by a drunk driver. She died on impact.”
From that moment on, Elijah’s face never bore a smile again. He stayed home, never traveling abroad, always by my and our daughter’s side. I thought our hardships were finally over.
But on our daughter’s third birthday, a fire broke out in our home. My first instinct was to save Elijah and our daughter. But he locked the door behind us, his eyes glacial with hatred.N
“If it weren’t for you two, Juliette would still be alive. Every day without her has been hell. I’ve waited years to make you pay.””
As flames swallowed us whole, I realized: He’d always hated us. Then, I opened my eyes, reborn to the day Elijah was drugged.”
Seeing his flushed face and dazed eyes as he stumbled toward me, I used all my strength to push him away and called his beloved, Juliette.&
The sound of labored breathing sent a shiver down my spine. I glanced over to find Elijah, drugged and feverish, his black shirt messily unbuttoned, teetering on the brink of losing control. “Anastasia, come here…” His voice was husky, eyes glazed as he called for me.”
In my past life, I would’ve rushed to his side out of concern, but now I backed away in fear. It was that night that doomed us both, leading Elijah to agree to a loveless marriage and then disappear for years, indifferent to me and our daughter’s fate. Later, I learned his time abroad was for Juliette, and his return was meant to offer her closure. But our daughter’s innocent call of “Daddy” had sent Juliette running, leading to her tragic accident, and Elijah’s ensuing hatred toward us.”
Now, I had a chance to prevent that mistake. As long as I wasn’t the one to save him tonight, my daughter and I wouldn’t face such a dire future. Without hesitation, I dialed Juliette’s number. “Juliette? You need to come to the Grand Hotel, room 32.” I held the door firmly shut, keeping the feverish Elijah at bay. Meanwhile, the heat began to spread through my own body.“]
I recalled how my brother, in his misguided concern for my unrequited love, drugged Elijah and sent him to my hotel room.
“Anastasia, you and Elijah are clearly into each other. You’re just dragging your feet. I’m doing you both a favor, getting Elijah to finally be my brother–in–law.”
Oh no. “Dominic, are you trying to ruin me? Let me out!” He chuckled as he pushed me into Elijah’s arms.
“You’ve got the same drug in your drink. Just enjoy it. By morning, you’ll thank me.” I could only muster a bitter smile. But Dominic, Elijah’s heart belongs to someone else.
After what felt like an eternity, Juliette arrived, her face pale with anxiety. She gave me a suspicious look. “Anastasia, everyone knows you’re into Eli. Why would you call me? Wasn’t he out drinking with your brother? How’d he end up drugged? What are you scheming?” Juliette expected some ploy, but when she saw Elijah inside, she frowned.
I pushed her toward the room, explaining hurriedly. “No time for that, Ms. Lennox. You and Elijah care for each other. You don’t want another woman taking advantage, do you? He needs you now.” The drug my brother procured was potent. In my past life, Elijah had tried to resist, biting his tongue until it bled and breaking several fingers in the process. But now, with Juliette here, he wouldn’t need to endure that.
A pained groan came from inside, Elijah’s veins visible on his forehead and neck, causing Juliette to pause. She blushed, squared her shoulders, and glanced back at me. “At least you know your place. Since I’m here, give it up. Wait, why’s your face so red?“}
I shook my head, urging her to hurry inside. As Elijah pulled Juliette in, I shut my eyes and closed the door.”
Soon, sounds from within pierced my heart, like knives slicing through my chest. Unable to bear it, I fled the hotel without looking back. The drug’s effects began to take hold. In my past life, part of why I couldn’t resist Elijah was because the drug clouded my mind. Clinging to the last shred of my sanity, I stumbled to an upscale club, pushing my way inside.}
Chapter 2
