I continue to sit there seething with rage. A dark aura surrounds me, pulsating with the intensity of my fury. My life was a joke, a cruel lie. The people I thought loved me didn't; they just used me.
She ran off with my boyfriend and was with him for years but when that relationship didn't work, she ran back to Roan.
When I called her to tell her I was pregnant, she was afraid Roan wouldn't let go of me. So she plotted to get rid of the baby. But instead, I ended up dead.
Infuriated, I clutch at my hair, my spirit boiling with resentment. Suddenly, the floor I stand on shudders, and a low rumble reverberates through my body. Piece by piece, the surface beneath me begins to crack, splintering like glass under the weight of my fury.
I stare at the crumbling edges and feel time warp around me, each second stretching out into eternity as I watch the pieces fall into the dark void.
And then, with a sudden jolt, the ground shatters, and I am falling. The darkness below spreads wide, an abyss that yawns open, ready to devour me whole. My hand reaches out instinctively, grasping at the fading light which was a futile gesture.
I wasn't afraid before, but now, with the last wisps of brightness receding, I feel a twinge of something... regret, maybe? Or perhaps just the sorrow of having no chance to get revenge on all those who wronged me.
As I tumble deeper, I can feel the cold grasp of despair clawing at me from the void. But then something shifts.
As the darkness envelops me, I embrace the rage. It wraps around me, and with it, I summon the fury of the wronged.
***
"Selene,"
"Selene,"
A loud whisper twinged with annoyance cuts through the haze, calling my name. My brow furrows in confusion as I try to make sense of the situation.
I turn to see my father mouthing something angrily, his expression a mix of urgency and exasperation. "Say I do."
I blink in bewilderment thinking, "I do what?" His hand moves animatedly, urging me to say it. In my dizzying state, I just said, "I do," in a hesitant voice without fully comprehending what was going on.
Then it happens. The sound of a man saying, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," echoes in my ear. The words reverberate through me like thunderclaps on a still night. "You may now kiss the bride."
Suddenly, I realise where I am, and my blood runs cold. The guests' claps become a distant echo as I meet Roan's cold and lifeless eyes.
"No, no, no, fuck no," I scream internally, trying to back away. I have the strong urge to pick up the hem of my dress and make a run for it. It is like a primal urge coursing through every fibre of my being to flee for my life but the universe seems to have beef with me.
I trip over something unseen beneath the layers of fabric at my feet and tumble backwards. I cross my fingers, hoping my head would hit a rock and bash my skull in so I would die and not relive this miserable life.
But not even death shows me mercy. Like a hero ready to save a damsel, Roan reaches out. His hand, strong and unyielding catches me effortlessly by the waist, pulling me upright against him with an intensity that sends shivers racing down my spine despite myself. Every nerve ending ignites under his touch. It's so terrifying that I can't breathe.
His face draws nearer until our breaths mingle in an intoxicating haze filled with tension so thick it feels almost tangible. He whispers into my ear, hot breath curling around each word like smoke rising from embers ready to ignite: "You want me to kiss you, don't you?"
The challenge hangs heavy between us and something dark flickers behind those piercing eyes. "Don't even think about it," he warns softly yet firmly as if sensing every tumultuous emotion swirling within me.
Before panic can take hold again or reason could return, Roan positions our bodies at such an angle that it creates an illusion. To the wedding guests, we were symbolising our love and commitment, but our lips never meet.
I recall this moment in the past. In the past, I was so nervous and scared with guilt gnawing at me. Unlike in my last life, my lips quirk into a sneer, and I push myself away from him. Roan's brows furrow slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.
I look impassive, but internally, I am freaking out. Why am I here? Pardon my language but why must I relive this shit?
I had died and finally found peace, only to be thrust back into this chaos right after making the biggest mistake of my life—marrying Roan. Why couldn't I come back before then? I have never wanted to strangle someone so badly. My eyes glow, almost bleeding with rage. Which brat in the heavens is messing with me?
I go through the rest of the ceremony with a bland face. My mother gestures from across the aisle, her fingers twitching like tendrils demanding that I smile. She wants me to be a perfect bride for her perfect vision of our family's future. But my anger flashes in my eyes. I don't even bother giving her a second glance.
When the guests come to congratulate us, my mother approaches me with fake tears glistening on her cheeks. She envelops me in a suffocating hug that grates against every nerve ending. Now I understand where Sunny got her hypocritical mask; she learnt from the best.
"Smile," she whispers sharply against my ear while gripping tightly onto my gown's fabric until I am certain she will leave bruises beneath layers of soft silk and lace. "Our family needs this so you better smile like you mean it."
Her words ignite another wave of defiance within me; how dare she? "You are the one who messed this up so behave," she continues bitterly under her breath, but those words only fuel my anger.
With calculated calmness, I grab her hand and remove it from its vice-like grip on my waist, offering her what can only be described as a sweet façade.
"Mm, I know how much you want this." The whisper escapes between clenched teeth while maintaining an innocent smile designed solely for show. My grip tightens just enough for her discomfort to seep through those carefully curated tears until they fade into shock-stunned silence. "Too bad this marriage won't last."
Her face freezes mid-sob, cheeks flush crimson with indignation as though I have slapped her across both worlds, past and present alike.
She looks like she wants to say something else but restrains herself, especially when someone else comes to congratulate me. I smile and wave at her sweetly, but the condescension in my eyes is hard to miss.
I feel a gaze burrowing through my skin and glance over, meeting Roan's eyes. I glare at him, my eyes saying, What are you looking at? Before looking away with a bright smile, greeting the aunt who came to congratulate me.