Next Day...
Elira sat quietly in her classroom, pretending to focus on her notebook. But today, the atmosphere was different—something was off.
Whispers filled the room. Everyone seemed to be gossiping about the same thing.
She didn't care.
She refused to listen.
She tried to block it all out, but her mind wandered back—back to her past life.
In her previous life, today was the day everything began to fall apart.
It was this very day when Zyan had proposed to her, right in front of the entire college. Bold, loud, and public—he made sure everyone knew she was his. Until that moment, most people believed Elira was just another girl blindly chasing after him.
But when Zyan dropped to one knee and confessed his love, everything changed.
Everyone's eyes shifted.
Their whispers turned into curiosity, envy... and judgment.
And Luna?
Luna changed too.
At first, Elira thought she was just overthinking it. Maybe Luna was just busy... distracted. But no. Luna didn't avoid her.
She began to hate her.
Rude remarks. Cold glares. A voice that once dripped with warmth now felt like sharp glass. Her attitude flipped like a switch, and every time Elira tried to reach out, she got pushed further away.
What hurt the most was not the silence—but the resentment.
Day by day, Luna grew distant. Bitter. Unrecognizable.
It was like the Luna she knew… had vanished. Replaced by someone darker. Harsher. Almost mad.
And then... the truth shattered everything.
Luna had been Zyan's ex.
And they both—together—planned to destroy her.
To kill her.
Even now, Elira could still feel the coldness of that moment.
The moment she discovered the betrayal.
The two people she trusted the most—her best friend and her husband—had stabbed her in the back.
Literally and emotionally.
They cheated. They lied. And in the end, they killed her.
But not this time.
Not in this life.
This time... she will remember. And they will pay.
Flashback…
That moment still haunts me—etched into every corner of my soul.
Back then, she stood over me, her eyes wild, her smile twisted… like a complete psychopath.
Luna (with a dark, deranged smile):
"You took my love from me... so I took yours from you."
"If my love can't be mine, then no one else deserves love either."
She laughed.
Like a lunatic.
That laughter still echoes in my ears—a sound I'll never forget.
I collapsed to the cold, hard floor. Blood—my blood—spread beneath me like a crimson sea, soaking into the tiles.
Everything hurt.
Every breath.
Every heartbeat.
And yet... I still begged.
Elira (with a cold, distant voice):
"I begged them… to save me. I cried. I screamed. I pleaded."
But they just stood there.
Staring.
Emotionless.
Like I was nothing.
And then... they left.
They left me to die.
Like I never mattered at all.
Present Time…
Even now… that moment still haunts me.
That pain wasn't physical at first.
It was mental.
Something deeper than any wound.
It shattered my heart into a thousand pieces.
In that moment, I realized…
My entire life had been a lie.
I married Zyan, going against my parents.
And in return?
He gifted me betrayal.
With a wistful smile,
I was really a fool in my past life, wasn't I?
I believed Zyan loved me.
But I was wrong.
So, so wrong.
He never loved me.
He just used me—for everything.
He wanted a personal servant. Someone to satisfy him physically, emotionally, and financially.
After marriage, he completely changed.
He used me like an unpaid maid during the day…
And at night…
He devoured my body like a starved beast.
Every night, he treated me like a toy—not a wife.
Elira (with pain and sobbing):
"Please Zyan… please, I can't take it anymore. Spare me tonight..."
But he would just grin—like a mad man.
Zyan (with a cruel smirk):
"Baby, this is love. It's a wife's duty to keep her husband happy... with her body."
I endured it.
Every night.
Every tear.
Every scream stuck in my throat.
I thought it was love.
But no—it wasn't.
It was torture.
He tore me apart, night after night, like a wild wolf.
Even a beast stops when it sees pain…
But he didn't.
He wasn't a man.
He was a brute.
During the day, I handled all the house chores. After that, I would run to work, trying to survive.
Meanwhile, Zyan and his mother stayed home—living off my hard-earned money.
They spent it shamelessly—on alcohol, branded clothes, and gambling.
And if I made the slightest mistake?
They treated me like an animal.
One tear rolled down Elira's cheek as her body trembled, remembering it all...
Flashback...
Elira was cleaning the floor. Her hands ached, her back stiff.
Suddenly, a flower vase slipped from her hand and fell—only a slight touch, but enough to make it crash.
Zyan's mother stormed out of her room, eyes blazing with fury.
His mother (with venom in her voice):
"What have you done again?!"
She looked down at the broken vase.
His mother (screaming):
"You filthy b!tch! Always burning my son's money!"
Elira (nervously):
"But Mom… it was just an accident..."
Before she could even finish, a loud slap cracked across her face.
She fell to the floor, stunned.
Her cheek burned, her body froze.
Even her own parents had never raised a hand on her…
But here?
She was nothing.
She couldn't speak. She just sat there in disbelief.
A red handprint bloomed on her cheek, and her eyes filled with tears.
Elira (with broken sobs):
"Mo… Mom..."
But before she could finish again—
The woman grabbed her hair—violently.
A sharp yelp escaped Elira's lips from the pain.
His mother (spitting rage):
"Do you know how expensive that vase was? It's worth more than your entire existence!"
She twisted Elira's hair harder.
Elira (screaming softly):
"Mom... it hurts..."
Instead of stopping, she twisted Elira's arm with full force.
Elira gasped—her bones screaming with pain.
His mother (furious):
"I never accepted you as my son's wife. I wanted a rich daughter-in-law! But you? You seduced my son and tricked him into marrying you!"
"You're not even pretty! Below average at best!"
Elira (with pain and desperation):
"Mom... I swear… I never seduced Zyan. I… I really loved him."
His mother (mocking and harsh):
"Love? Don't make me laugh. You don't even know how to respect elders. Your parents clearly raised a worthless girl!"
"Today I'll teach you how to respect!"
She dragged Elira toward the kitchen—her grip merciless.
Elira (sobbing and screaming):
"Mom! No! Please!"
But Zyan's mother wasn't listening.
Elira's voice cracked as the slap mark on her face throbbed.
As she was dragged, her head slammed into a glass table.
The sharp edge struck her temple—blood immediately started pouring.
Her vision blurred. Everything turned dizzy.
Her limbs trembled uncontrollably.
The table bore the proof—her blood was smeared across it.
Still, even bleeding, Elira begged.
She cried out—her voice loud and helpless—but mercy never came.
That cruel woman…
She dragged her like a ragdoll into the kitchen.
Then she reached into the corner—and pulled out a steel rod.
Elira (shivering, voice trembling):
"Mom… sob… Mom… what are you doing?"
His mother (with a demonic smile):
"Just arranging a small lesson for your manners."
She turned on the gas burner and began heating the rod.
The room smelled of metal and fire.
Elira's soul froze. Her lips parted but no scream came out.
Her heart raced. Her whole body felt numb.
She couldn't even breathe.
As the rod glowed red, his mother stepped closer.
His mother (whispering like a devil):
"Let's see what happens when you disrespect your elders again."
She grabbed Elira's hand—
And in one horrifying second—pressed the burning rod onto her skin.
Elira (screaming):
"Aahh!! Mom! Please… PLEASE… it hurts!!"
Tears streamed down her face as she begged for mercy.
Elira (sobbing):
"Please stop… sob… I can't bear it... sob..."
His mother (snarling):
"Now you'll learn how to behave, you worthless girl!"
She pressed the rod harder.
Elira's body twisted in agony. Her soul felt like it was separating from the pain.
Her skin turned red and blistered. Her hands shook uncontrollably.
Her face—once filled with life—turned pale and dry.
Her hair clung to her tear-streaked cheeks, marked by that brutal slap.
She was no longer a bride.
She was a victim.
A slave in the name of love.
Present time...
Elira sat still—eyes lost in the distance.
Painful memories kept flooding her mind… like waves crashing again and again, refusing to let her breathe.
But just then…
A gentle tap on her shoulder snapped her back to reality.
She flinched.
She turned slightly—her expression frozen for a second.
Luna stood there, grinning widely, her face glowing with mischief.
Luna (with a playful tone and wide smile):
"Whenever I look at you, you're always lost in another world. Hmmm…"
She narrowed her eyes dramatically, lips curling into a naughty smile.
"Don't tell me you were daydreaming about your crush again?"
She leaned in closer, her voice dipping into a soft, teasing tone.
Luna (with a dramatic whisper):
"Let me guess... you were imagining his muscles—those sculpted arms pulling you close… pressing you against him..."
Elira's eyes twitched, but Luna went on—completely unaware of the growing storm inside her.
Luna (smirking):
"And then… your eyes meet. You see it, don't you? That deep, intense look in his eyes—the kind of love no one ever gave you before. His gaze melts into yours, only you exist for him..."
"Then he leans in, his eyes lingering on your lips. Slowly... slowly... inch by inch... he comes closer… closer…"
"And then… finally, your lips meet—"
Her voice dropped to a sultry whisper.
"A burst of hormones explodes inside you. He starts kissing you, slow… soft… then deeper… and deeper… passionately taking your lips, devouring them with hunger..."
Luna giggled, her voice dripping with flirtatious fun.
But Elira?
Elira sat still—her fists clenched under the desk.
The only thing she could feel… was rage.
Not the innocent kind.
The burning, consuming, vengeful kind.
How dare she?
The same Luna who once betrayed her.
The same Luna who smiled while she bled.
Now standing before her… teasing like everything was normal.
Her jaw tightened.
Her entire body was burning.
All she could think about was revenge.
Slow.
Painful.
Cruel revenge.
She wanted them to suffer—all of them.
She wanted to rip that fake smile from Luna's face, piece by piece.
But instead...
She smiled.
Fake.
Perfect.
Elira (with forced calm and a fake grin):
"Don't tease me, Luna," she said sweetly, tapping Luna lightly on the arm with pretend shyness.
Luna giggled again.
Luna (teasing):
"Aww look at you—your face turned red like a rose!"
She grinned wider, completely fooled.
Elira clenched her jaw behind the smile.
Elira (with a fake playful tone, pointing her index finger):
"You're going too far now…"
Like a warning—playful on the surface, deadly beneath.
Luna (laughing, grabbing Elira's earlobe):
"Sorry, my baby!"
She hugged her tightly, wrapping her arms around her like nothing was wrong.
Elira smiled again.
A smile that could freeze hell.
Inside?
Every fiber of her body screamed.
Her blood boiled—like lava flowing through her veins.
Even Luna's touch felt like poison on her skin.
She clenched her jaw so tightly her teeth ached.
In her head, there was only one voice, one command—repeating again and again:
"Kill her."
"Elira, kill Luna. She's your murderer."
"She betrayed you. She destroyed you. Kill her."
Her hands trembled, but not from fear—from rage.
Unforgiving.
Unrelenting.
Uncontrollable.
She wanted to rip Luna apart.
Right here.
Right now.
To end her smile.
To silence her laugh.
To pay her back for the blood, the tears, the screams.
But…
She swallowed her emotions—forced them down like venom.
Not now.
Not yet.
Revenge was a dish best served slowly.
She tightened her fists under the table, her nails digging into her own palm.
But her face?
Her face wore a perfect smile.
She was just imagining the day Luna would scream.
And Elira would smile for real.
Elira (with a fake, sweet smile and a calm voice hiding a storm):
"Okay… this time, I forgive you."
She tilted her head slightly, her lips curling with false warmth.
"But next time… don't tease me like that again."
Her tone was soft—but her eyes?
They were sharp.
Deadly.
Like a dagger dipped in honey.
And Luna?
Still clueless.
Still laughing.
But not for long.
Elira would make sure of that.
As Elira sat quietly in her seat, she noticed a buzz running through the classroom.
Whispers.
Excitement.
Shock.
Everyone seemed to be talking about something big.
Just then, one girl leaned closer to her friend and whispered, loud enough for others to hear.
Girl 1 (with excitement):
"Did you hear? The Vale Group and the Hart Group just announced their official collaboration!"
Girl 2 (with wide eyes):
"Wait… does that mean Professor Lucian and Miss Hart might actually get married in the future?"
Girl 1 (with a dramatic sigh):
"Ugh! We missed our chance to marry him!"
Girl 2 (sadly, placing a hand over her heart):
"I know… it hurts. He was the dream."
Girl 1 (grinning like she's possessed):
"Seriously, I only come to class just to look at him! That man is pure perfection!"
"When he teaches, he looks even more handsome. That deep voice… that masculine body… his charming yet cute face…"
"It's like he possesses me with just a single look!"
Girl 2 (nodding):
"He's not just handsome… he's rich too."
Girl 1:
"Not rich—he's damn rich. Like, untouchable rich!"
Girl 2 (dramatic):
"And now, he's going to belong to someone else!"
Girl 1 (jealous):
"I swear, I'm already jealous of whoever that girl is. Just imagine being his bride!"
Girl 2 (groaning):
"What can we even do? We've got no chance. Let's just move on… with our broken hearts."
They both sighed in unison like heartbroken heroines from a tragic love story.
Just then, a boy joined in with an eager tone.
Boy:
"Did you guys hear more about Miss Hart?"
"They say she's not just rich—she's beautiful, smart, and mysterious. No one's ever seen her in public."
Girl 1 (surprised):
"Really? But I thought I saw her photo online once."
Boy (shaking his head):
"That wasn't her. That was Miss Bella—Miss Hart's stepsister. People thought she was the heir, but she's not."
Girl 1 (realization hitting):
"Oohhh… so that girl we saw wasn't the real Miss Hart?"
Boy (smirking):
"Nope. The real heir of the Hart family is still hidden. No public photos. No interviews. Total mystery."
On the other side of the room…
Luna sat frozen.
Her lips parted slightly. Her mind blank.
Mr. Lucian... and me?
Marriage?
She blinked.
What was all this?
What are they talking about?
Her heart skipped a beat.
Confusion clouded her face.
The voices around her blurred. Her chest tightened.
Luna (inwardly, stunned):
"No... this can't be. How... how is this possible? What are they even saying?"
She looked toward the group again, trying to make sense of the conversation.
Professor Lucian was always cold. Mysterious. Reserved.
Could it be true? Was something going on behind the scenes that no one knew?
Suddenly… an uncomfortable knot formed in her stomach.
She felt something unfamiliar.
Jealousy.
And for the first time in a long while…
Luna felt threatened.
As the whispers continued around the class…
Elira's sharp eyes didn't miss a thing.
She wasn't focused on the gossip about Professor Lucian or Miss Hart.
She was watching Luna.
The moment Luna heard the name "Miss Hart," something shifted.
Her smile faltered.
Her fingers stiffened.
And for just a second—her eyes widened with a flicker of panic.
Elira noticed it all.
Elira (with a fake polite smile):
"What happened, Luna? You look… surprised."
Luna (quickly, almost too quickly):
"Huh? Oh—n-no… nothing. It's nothing."
She laughed.
But it wasn't normal laughter.
It was the kind of laugh that tried too hard.
It was loud. Off-beat. Nervous.
Almost… mad.
Elira's suspicion deepened.
That laugh wasn't just awkward—it was guilt trying to escape through a smile.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her lips curling into an innocent expression.
But her mind?
Calculating.
Connecting.
Digging deeper.
She remembered something now…
Luna had never told anyone about her background. Not even Elira.
She was always vague—always secretive.
Like she was hiding behind a mask.
And now…
Miss Hart?
Heir to the Hart Group?
Elira tilted her head slightly, voice still sweet, but her eyes sharp like glass.
Elira (with a hint of playful curiosity):
"Hmm… your surname is also Hart, right?"
She paused, pretending to think.
"Do you… happen to have any connection with the Hart family?"
Her tone was light—casual.
But her gaze?
Unblinking. Watching every twitch, every flicker of emotion on Luna's face.
It was a casual question for the world.
But a silent warning for Luna.
I'm watching you.
I'm not a fool.
And you can't lie to me forever.
Luna's smile froze.
The classroom was still buzzing with gossip about Professor Lucian and Miss Hart's possible marriage. But Elira's attention wasn't on the rumor mill anymore.
She was staring at Luna.
And what she saw?
Made her raise an eyebrow.
The very second Luna heard "Miss Hart," her laughter died.
Gone.
Just like that.
No sparkle in her eyes. No mischief. No teasing.
Just… silence.
Then came panic.
"And also, your dress and bags always look expensive," Elira said, narrowing her eyes with suspicion.
Luna's smile froze. A flicker of fear and shock flashed across her face.
"No! No, no!" she stammered, violently shaking her head and quickly crossing her arms in denial.
"How can I possibly have any connection with people like them? If I was even a little rich, I would've arrived in a limited-edition luxury car with bodyguards trailing me. I'd wear branded, exclusive dresses, designer shoes, and those limited-run bags that go out of stock in minutes!"
She paused—eyes wide, breath shaky—and suddenly burst out, "But look at me! I have none of those! Not a single one!"
Her voice cracked, and she waved her arms like a mad woman, her frustration unraveling.
"I'm just a normal girl who gets lucky at seasonal clearance sales!"
Elira raised a single brow, doubt still dancing in her eyes.
"Hmm… but still, your dress—it does look like a limited piece," she said slowly, scanning Luna from head to toe.
The amusement drained from Luna's face instantly.
Her laugh? Gone.
Her posture? Rigid.
She leaned forward, almost desperately, and began speaking rapidly—
"No, no, it's not! I swear! It just looks premium, but it's not. I found it during an end-of-season sale—70% off! I even bargained on top of that. I always buy my dresses, shoes, even accessories from those massive sale racks. They just look expensive, that's all."
Then, almost childishly, she added with a crazed smile,
"Ok, ok! I'll bring you some next time, you'll see! You'll love the prices too!"
She fanned herself dramatically.
"Ugh... today's so hot, na?" she said, clearly trying to change the topic, her voice shaky and eyes darting—like someone trying to outrun their truth.
Elira (frowning slightly):
She's acting like someone just caught her stealing.
Luna wiped her forehead—there was barely any sweat, but she was still acting like she'd just walked out of a fire.
Then she suddenly sat down, grabbed her water bottle, and started chugging like she hadn't drunk in days.
Glug. Glug. Glug.
Everyone in class turned for a second—watching her gulp water like she'd been stranded in the desert.
Elira blinked.
Elira (thinking):
What is wrong with her?
When Luna finally finished, she slammed the bottle on the desk and took a deep breath—as if she just escaped death.
Luna (in her mind):
"She almost caught me just now. That Elira… she's too sharp."
"I need to be careful. From now on, extra careful."
"This time I escaped... but next time?"
She shivered at the thought.
Luna (in her mind, repeating like a chant):
"Be careful, Luna… be careful.
Careful-careful-careful…"
She sat still but kept whispering the words under her breath like a holy mantra, her lips barely moving.
Meanwhile…
Elira (thinking, puzzled):
What is going on with this girl?
She watched Luna—sitting straight, whispering to herself, sweating for no reason, still holding her empty bottle like it was her last hope.
Elira (confused):
"Is she okay? Or has she lost her mind?"
Just then, Luna looked up with a sudden, weird grin.
Luna (grinning like nothing happened):
"So! Elira! Want to eat something after class?"
Elira just stared at her.
Elira (with narrowed eyes, sweet smile hiding her thoughts):
"Sure. But first… I'll wait for those sale dresses, remember?"
Luna (almost chokes):
"Yes! Yes! Of course!"
She nodded so much it looked like her head would fall off.
The bell rang.
Luna jumped like someone shot a gun.
Luna (standing up quickly):
"Class over! Let's go!"
She grabbed her bag and water bottle and started walking toward the door—way too fast.
Elira slowly followed, her eyes still fixed on her.
Outside the Classroom
Elira kept a small smile on her face, but her thoughts were spinning.
This wasn't normal behavior.
Not from Luna.
She had seen that panic before.
In liars.
In manipulators.
In people hiding big secrets.
And now, Luna was acting exactly like that.
Elira (thinking):
She changed the topic too fast.
Laughed like a crazy person.
Started fanning herself like she's on fire.
Drank water like her life depended on it.
And now she's chanting "be careful" under her breath like a lunatic…
"Suspicious" wasn't a strong enough word.