Chapter 3

3

While I was packing, Lyra swanned into the room.

She looked around with a smug, condescending smirk.

"The grand suite isn't as impressive as I thought," she mocked.

I looked up at her, but my eyes caught the jade bracelet on her wrist.

My family used to be in the gemstone trade. I knew immediately that her bracelet came from the same stone as mine.

Mine was a low-quality piece with just a few streaks of green.

Hers was the top-tier Imperial Green, the heart of the stone.

I had followed that stone since it was mined. I never knew where the best piece went. Now I knew.

Garrett walked in and saw me staring at the bracelet.

He immediately stepped in front of Lyra, shielding her as if I were a monster.

I didn't care.

"Garrett, I heard Serena is the best seamstress in the state. I want her to embroider my wedding dress," Lyra said.

I didn't even think. "No."

The tears started instantly.

"I know you hate me. But I grew up poor after my father went to war. I just want to look beautiful for my big day."

Garrett scoffed, looking at me with pure annoyance.

"Serena, why are you being so difficult? Lyra has had a hard life. Helping her wouldn't kill you."

He patted Lyra's back as she sobbed. Then, he spoke in a tone that allowed no argument.

"It's settled. You'll do the embroidery for Lyra's dress."

I stared at him for a long time. Then I said, "Fine. But it's going to cost you."

I paused for effect. "My embroidery was praised by the Governor himself. If you want my work, it's ten thousand dollars."

Garrett froze. He looked at me like he didn't recognize me.

In the past, I never said no to him. I never bargained.

"Stop playing games, Serena," he frowned.

I shook my head. "I'm not playing, Garrett."

For some reason, seeing me so cold made Garrett feel uneasy.

He suppressed the feeling and took Lyra's hand.

"Forget it. I'll hire the best professional in the city for you."

The day before the wedding, Lyra stood before me in her crimson gown, looking triumphant.

"See? Garrett found a better tailor than you anyway."

When I didn't react, she got frustrated.

"Do you know what Garrett said about you? He said marrying a merchant's daughter was the best thing that ever happened to your family."

My grip tightened on my sleeve.

When he proposed, he promised my background didn't matter to him.

I just sneered.

Seeing my silence, a flash of anger crossed her face. But it was quickly replaced by a wicked grin.

"Let's see who Garrett chooses. You or me?"

Before I could react, she threw herself backward into the garden pond.

A second later, a force slammed into me, knocking me off balance. I fell into the water right after her.

The freezing winter water hit me like a thousand needles. I gasped, swallowing a mouthful of icy liquid.

Through the splashing, I saw a figure dive in.

Garrett.

He didn't even glance at me. He swam straight for Lyra.

He passed right by me, ignoring my frantic splashing.

In the water, I saw Lyra's eyes. She wasn't drowning. She was smiling.

Her lips moved. She was saying, "I won."

The weight of the water started to pull me down.

It felt exactly like the day I died in my previous life.

Garrett had already reached the shore with Lyra. He stood there, looking down at me.

Was I really going to die the same way again?

I don't know where I found the strength, but I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"Garrett! I'm pregnant! Save me!"

Garrett froze. But Lyra grabbed his hand, moaning. "Garrett, my stomach... it hurts so much."

He didn't hesitate. He picked her up and walked away without looking back.

Watching his retreating figure, I felt a despair deeper than the pond.

I wanted to live. I really wanted to live.

Maybe God finally heard me, because Clara heard my screams and pulled me out.

The next morning was the wedding.

Clara and I finished packing my things. I took my entire dowry and took one last look at the estate.

We boarded the boat to the coast.

As for that contract Garrett signed? I had already sent it to the high court.

The government loved any excuse to keep a powerful General trapped in one city.

This was the end of us.