Chapter Three: The House That Wants Me Dead
The moment I closed my bedroom door, the smile slid off my face.
My hands were shaking.
I leaned my back against the door and closed my eyes, breathing slowly, forcing my heart to calm down. The dinner replayed in my head—my father's tight smile, my stepmother's calculating gaze, my stepsister's wide-eyed shock.
They hadn't expected me to choose Andre.
And that terrified them.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
"Sarah?" a gentle voice called. "It's me."
My jaw clenched.
Of course it was her.
I opened the door halfway.
My stepsister stood there in a silk nightgown, her long blonde hair loose, her face filled with concern so perfect it deserved an award.
"I just wanted to check on you," she said softly. "Tonight was… a lot." She said as she let out a deep breath
I stared at her.
In my past life, this was the part where I would've broken down. Where I would've leaned on her shoulder and listened to her advice.
Now, all I saw was a snake wearing my sister's face.
"I'm fine," I replied calmly.
She stepped closer anyway. "I'm worried about you. Andre is dangerous, Sarah. Everyone knows that. He's not someone you marry lightly."
I crossed my arms. "Funny. You didn't seem worried when Father paraded me in front of strangers."
Her lips twitched.
"I just don't understand why you didn't choose Raymond," she continued quickly. "You've always loved him. This sudden change—it feels unlike you."
I met her eyes directly.
"I don't owe you an explanation."
Her expression stiffened for a second before softening again. "I'm just trying to protect you."
I smiled.
A cold one.
"You should protect yourself," I said. "And leave my room. I want to rest."
Silence fell between us.
She searched my face, clearly trying to find the weak girl she used to control.
She didn't find her.
"…Alright," she said finally. "Goodnight, big sis"
The door closed behind her.
I locked it.
Then I slid down to the floor and pressed my hand over my mouth as tears spilled freely.
Not from weakness.
From rage.
They were already planning.
I knew it.
I wiped my face and stood up, pacing the room.
I had six months before the poison in my last life—but now? They were scared. And scared people acted fast.
I couldn't stay in this house.
I wasn't safe.
A faint sound drifted up from downstairs.
Voices.
I froze.
Slowly, carefully, I opened my door and stepped into the hallway. I moved silently, every instinct screaming at me to be careful.
Their voices grew clearer as I reached the stairs.
"…she's slipping out of our hands," my stepmother said sharply.
My heart slammed.
"We can still push her toward Raymond," my father replied. "She's confused. This Andre nonsense will pass."
"And if it doesn't?" my stepsister asked.
There was a pause.
"Then we move the plan forward," my stepmother said coldly. "We can't afford to wait."
My breath hitched.
"She's changing," my stepsister added. "I don't like it."
My vision blurred as tears rolled down my cheeks.
They were going to kill me again.
Sooner.
A floorboard creaked beneath my foot.
My blood turned to ice.
"Did you hear that?" my father snapped.
I clapped my hand over my mouth and stumbled backward, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure they could hear it.
Footsteps approached.
I ran.
I slipped into my room just as the hallway light flicked on. I dove inside, shut the door silently, and leaned against it, shaking.
After a moment, the footsteps retreated.
I slid to the floor, sobbing silently.
No more.
I wouldn't wait.
I grabbed my bag, threw on a coat, and slipped out of the house through the back door.
⸻
The bar was loud, dim, and smelled of alcohol.
Perfect.
I ordered one drink.
Then another.
And another.
The burn in my throat helped quiet the noise in my head.
The memories.
The fear.
The betrayal.
"You look lonely," a man slurred beside me.
I ignored him.
He moved closer.
I could keep you company, he said while trying to hold me
"I said—"
I turned and slapped him hard across the face.
"Don't you fucking touch me."
The bar went quiet for a second.
His eyes darkened. "You Bitch" You think you're special?"
He raised his hand—
But it never came down.
A strong grip caught his wrist midair.
A sharp crack echoed, he broke his arm…
The man screamed in pain.
"Touch her again," a cold voice said, "and you'll lose the other arm."
Andre.
My heart skipped.
He stood between us, eyes lethal, his grip unyielding. He shoved the man away and nodded to his men.
"Take care of him."
They dragged the man out.
Andre turned to me.
"I don't like other men touching what's mine," he said quietly.
I laughed, dizzy and fearless. "Then you have my permission to break their arms."
A rare smile curved his lips.
Before I could react, he scooped me up effortlessly.
"Hey—"
"Be quiet," he murmured. "You're drunk."
He carried me to his car.
Inside, the world felt too warm. I shrugged out of my coat, fanning myself.
"It's hot," I muttered.
His gaze darkened.
He looked at me like a man starving—but holding back….i was about to draw the hands of my gown down when he stopped me, Sarah please stop, he said..
I smiled, didn't know that I was teasing him too much, I reached up, grabbed his face, and kissed him. He was in shock at first then he kissed back Hard and intense, his hands on my red cheeks,as he kissed me passionately like something he has wanted for the longest time, I climbed on his body, looking down on him, I lowered my head and continued kissing him, I moved towards his neck…
Sarah…. You're drunk, he said while he moaned lightly,
Don't you like me drunk, I added
You don't know how much I'm holding back right now, I'm as hard as a rod, he whispered
Chills ran through my spine,then don't hold back, I said while belching
He let out a little giggle…
Did you just laugh, I said
No, he said almost immediately
Look As tempting as you are right now, I'll hold back, i don't want you to regret or forget this moment, he added
I want our first to stick, he said smirking
Alright then,I said as I pulled away
I stopped, but only on one condition,I said…
Anything, he replied
"Let's get married," I whispered…. Before he could reply I drifted off on his body..
Then everything went soft and dark.
⸻
I woke up briefly in a bed that wasn't mine.
Cool sheets.
Safe arms. He was about to tuck me in and leave….
"Don't leave me," I mumbled, clutching his hand.
"I'm here," he whispered.
I drifted back to sleep.
Andre watched me for a long time.
Then he left the room.
In a hidden chamber, he punished himself for wanting too much, for believing too fast, for hoping. He flogged his back mercilessly inflicting wounds on himself…and then went to take a bath…
Cold water followed.
Silence.
When he finally lay down on the couch, one thought haunted him—
What game was I playing?
And why did he hope it wasn't one at all?
He needed to get to the bottom of it…this thoughts went through his head as he drifted off…