Regardless of Adrian hated me or not, this time, I wasn’t about to let myself walk that same path again.
“Mrs. Vale,” I said calmly, “I believe Elara is the better choice. She surpasses me in more ways than one. If we’re choosing the ideal partner for Adrian… it should be her.”
If I was right, Elara and Adrian were already entangled.
Adrian’s eyes flared, startled, but only for a heartbeat. Then his expression smoothed back into practiced indifference.
“I agree,” he said quietly and stood. “Father. Mother. If you’ll excuse me, I have something to attend to.”
He walked out. Never once looked back.
Maybe he was in a hurry to see Elara.
And I stood there, breath caught in my throat, as if that same bullet from my past life had found me again. I had promised myself I would be calm—but I’d clearly overestimated my heart. Because the moment he said he agreed, all I could see was the image of my past self—collapsing in front of him, bleeding out for a man who wouldn’t even bury me on Vale grounds.
…
After Adrian left, Mrs. Vale turned to me, her brows knitting with concern. “Selene,” she said gently, “you’ve trained with the Vale since you were four years old. I’ve never seen a girl more suited to become Mrs. Vale. And I’ve seen the way you look at Adrian. Why would you give up that chance?”
She had always been kind to me. In my past life, she had even helped me get close to Adrian. Arranged shared missions. Paired us for training. Whispered encouragements when I faltered.
“Mrs. Vale…” I hesitated, then forced a soft smile. “I don’t think Adrian likes me.”
“That’s nonsense,” she said with surprising fierceness. “He likes you. And you’re everything we hoped for—you trained harder than anyone, arrived first, left last, never once complained. You’ve proven your loyalty, your strength.”
I couldn’t tell her the truth. I couldn’t say: Because I gave him my life in my last one. I bled for him. Loved him. Buried myself in the shape he wanted—and he still never chose me. So this time, I’m choosing me.
Instead, I said, “If Adrian spends his life with someone he doesn’t love… that’s not a life either of them deserve. And Elara—she’s just as capable. Maybe more. I don’t want to stand between that.”
Mrs. Vale sighed and didn’t argue more.
Mr. Vale, quiet until now, added, “Let’s not rush this decision. But Selene—regardless of how things turn out, the Vale will always take care of you. We’ve seen your devotion. That won’t go ignored.”
…
I packed what few belongings I truly owned. The rest I left behind—clothes, jewelry, books. They had all been paid for by the Vale, and it felt wrong to take them with me now.
Life became… lighter, in a strange way. No more 5 a.m. combat drills. No more late-night surveillance shifts at the casino. For the first time, I was free from the shadow of trying to become Mrs. Vale.
I thought I was finally clearing away the remnants of my old life—until a single envelope shattered the illusion.
An engagement invitation. Adrian and Elara.
So soon. Had he convinced Mr. and Mrs. Vale that quickly? Or had they always been on his side?
The card featured a photo of Elara leaning into his chest, both of them smiling for the camera as if they hadn’t broken someone to get there.
And then came the calls. Friends asking if I’d really dropped out of the “run” for Mrs. Vale. Whispers, murmurs, all tinged with surprise. I realized Adrian must’ve sent the invitation to nearly everyone we knew.
…
The moment I stepped into the Vale casino, I could feel the shift in the air.
The glances. Sharp, sideways. Pitying. Judgmental. Curious. I knew those looks. I’d worn them on my skin for years in this world.
I took a steadying breath and made my way toward my office—only to pause at the sound of voices inside.
Adrian’s voice. And Mr. Vale’s.
“Father,” Adrian was saying, “it wouldn’t be fair to Elara if you keep Selene so close to our family’s business. She’s not my wife. She’s an outsider now. How can you still trust her with the core of the Vale?”
