Chapter 2

2.

According to the rules, those of us not chosen were supposed to pack our things and leave.

There was no downside for us; it was the deal we'd made when they first sponsored us.

I went back to my room with an excited heart and started packing my few belongings.

During my years with the Sterlings, I owned almost nothing.

I had a few outfits and some basic toiletries.

But when I tried to drag my suitcase out the door, two bodyguards in black suits blocked my path.

Killian stood there, watching me with cold, indifferent eyes.

"You will stay in this room until my wedding is over."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.

"What is that supposed to mean? You chose Melody, didn't you?"

Killian stepped closer, a cruel smirk dancing on his lips.

"You're still not leaving. Who knows if you'll try to sabotage the wedding."

My heart sank into my stomach.

"Let me go. I won't do anything to your wedding. I don't even want to be near you."

Killian let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

"You're back too, aren't you? In the last life, you set Melody up to die just to keep your spot as my wife."

"I don't trust a poisonous woman like you for a second."

He actually thought I was responsible for Melody's death.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I've never laid a hand on anyone."

"Stop acting so innocent."

Killian took another step forward, his eyes dripping with pure hatred.

"Melody sent me a text before she died saying it was all because of you!"

"It wasn't enough that you bullied her! You had to keep tormenting her even after you married me!"

My chest tightened with rage. This was absolutely ridiculous.

Melody and I grew up in the same run-down orphanage.

She was older and stronger than me, and she spent every day bullying me with her group of friends.

How could I have ever bullied her?

In my last life, after she died, I heard the truth from the servants who handled her body.

She had been heavily involved with illegal substances and died during a wild, drug-fueled party.

Mrs. Sterling had only claimed it was depression-related to protect the family's reputation.

Apparently, Killian had been kept completely in the dark.

And because of Melody's lies, he had been heartless enough to kill me and our babies.

I let out a cold laugh. "She said it, so it must be true?"

"I had no reason to do any of that! I'm not interested in you anymore. Let me leave."

Killian didn't buy it.

"Of course you had a reason! You put on that sweet, pathetic act just to get into this family."

"As for that mystic reading, Melody told me you paid someone to rig it, stealing her fate for yourself!"

That woman was a pathological liar, and Killian was stupid enough to believe her without checking.

"Melody is full of crap! I don't believe in that superstitious stuff, let alone rig it!"

Killian's face darkened instantly.

"Shut up! I won't let you slander her! She is an angel!"

"And you... you're just a gold-digger who would do anything to climb the social ladder. I won't believe a word you say."

"You'd better stay put. You're not stepping a foot out of this room until the wedding is over."

With that, he turned and walked away.

The two bodyguards stepped forward like a stone wall, sealing the exit.

I watched his retreating back as a chill ran down my spine.

He was completely brainwashed by Melody, and his hatred for me was deep-seated.

He trusted her more than his own eyes or logic.

I was trapped in this room, just like I had been trapped in that basement.