Chapter 2

2.

I gently brushed a stray leaf off her shoulder.

"We all have our own fates. If this is mine, I believe I can survive on my own."

"I just worry about people who can't handle a little pressure and take their anger out on others. That's the definition of a loser, isn't it？"

Seraphina's pupils shrank. She grabbed my wrist with a death grip.

"Melody Sterling！You're reborn too, aren't you！"

She could see it in my eyes. A young girl shouldn't have a gaze so cold and detached.

"So what if you are！I'm the one marrying Mordecai now！You can just wait to wear black at your husband's funeral！"

She stormed off in a huff.

I watched her back, lost in thought.

Seraphina had a point about Silas Draken. If he died, what would I do？

Those Draconian uncles and cousins of his were like vultures. They would tear a lone woman to pieces to get his estate.

I sat by the window that night, brooding over my options. Suddenly, a soft whisper came from outside.

I pushed the window open and gasped.

Silas was there, leaning against the sill and drenched in sweat. The moonlight hit his face, highlighting his jawline and striking features.

His looks were so breathtaking that I actually forgot to breathe for a second.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not a stalker... I just heard you were going to be my wife, and I wanted to see you for myself..."

He was out of breath, but his eyes were sparkling like diamonds.

"Can I ask you something？"

He seemed nervous, hesitating as he looked at me.

"What is it？" I asked.

"Are you an angel？How can anyone be this beautiful？"

His face turned a deep shade of crimson the moment the words left his lips.

I couldn't help but laugh. Just then, heavy footsteps echoed behind me.

"I knew it, Melody！Not even married yet and you're already bringing men to your bedroom！Explain this！"

Seraphina shoved the door open and threw the window wide. She froze when she saw Silas.

"What are you doing here？"

Silas didn't hide his disgust.

"I'm visiting my fiancée to talk about our future. Is there a problem？And you... you should learn some manners, you classless brat."

Her face turned beet red. She turned her venom back toward me.

"Don't act so smug！So what if you like each other now？He's on borrowed time, and you know it！"

Silas scoffed, his eyes flashing with disdain.

"Our marriage is none of your business. All I know is that I will treat Melody like a queen."

Seraphina looked like she was about to explode.

"I'll be waiting for the day you become a widow, Melody！"

She was obsessed with that word.

In our last life, being a widow had been her ultimate trauma. It was burned into her soul.

Now, she was just happy as long as Mordecai was alive. Her standards were incredibly low.

"Maybe you should spend more time learning how to cook and clean, sister. Mordecai doesn't have a staff of servants. You'll be doing it all yourself."

I hit her right where it hurt. She hated manual labor more than anything. She turned and stomped away.

Soon, I heard her downstairs, crying to Mother for more money.

Silas went back to his puppy-dog demeanor, tilting his head as he watched me.

"Melody, trust me. As long as I'm drawing breath, I won't let a single tear fall from your eyes."

Hearing him talk about staying alive made my heart ache.

I instinctively reached out and covered his lips with my hand.

The heat of his skin sent a jolt through me. My heart started racing against my ribs.

It was strange. I had been a wife before, but this man made me feel like a nervous teenager.

I coughed to hide my blushing face.

"Silas, I don't care about being rich. I just want you to stay alive."

"Do you understand？Nothing matters more than you coming home to me."

He looked at me for a long time before flashing a determined smile.

"I promise."