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CHAPTER 18
~Zara's POV~
I woke up with a start, my heart pounding as the remnants of a nightmare clung to me—my death from my last life playing over and over in my mind.
Cold sweat trickled down my face, my chest heaving as I sat up, the heavy darkness in the room pressing down on me.
I slid out of bed, needing something—anything—to ground me in the present.
Padding quietly to the washroom, I splashed cold water on my face, the icy chill shocking me awake.
I took in deep breaths, slow and steady.
"They can't hurt you, Zar. He can't touch you, not in this life."
When I glanced at the mirror, my reflection startled me. I looked younger, freer, nothing like the worn-down version of myself from when I was Ivan's wife in my past life.
I stayed there for a moment, breathing deeply before deciding to head downstairs for some water.
