“Alright,” I said, cool and firm. “Then I hope you have a good day.”
I turned to leave. His hand shot out again, catching my arm.
I stopped and looked down at his fingers on my skin.
He let go instantly, like I burned him.
“Can we talk?” he asked, his voice low. “Just for old times‘ sake.
Old times? The old times where I gave him my heart, my loyalty, my life? The old times where he threw me away like I was convenient background noise?
“No,” I said flatly. “We can’t.”
I turned again, my heels clicking against the floor.
Then- “Selene,” he called out behind me, “I know you were reborn.”
My steps faltered.
Slowly, I turned just enough to glance over my shoulder.
New Life
+25 BONUS
What did he just say?
“I was reborn too,” he continued. “That’s why I chose Elara so easily this time. I wanted to compensate her… for what
happened before.”
So he was reborn. That explains everything. That explains the disdain in his eyes at the selection–how cold he looked at me
that day.
“Adrian,” I said, calm as ice, “you and I–we’re done. Whatever you think you owed me, or whatever I thought I owed you, it’s
over. We’re clear.”
I paused. Then added, “If you respect me at all–even just a little–for the fact that I died for you in our last life… leave me alone. Let me have the ending I deserve.”
And with that–I walked.
I stepped out of the casino and into my car. A text from Elias lit up my screen: Get home fast, sweetheart. I’ve got a surprise waiting.
My lips curved into a smile.
I pressed my foot on the gas. The world blurred past the windshield, clean and full of promise.
But then–Adrian. He rushed out, catching sight of me.
He ran to the side of the car, banging on the window, mouth forming words I couldn’t hear and didn’t care to.
I didn’t slow. Didn’t roll down the window or give him the satisfaction of acknowledgment.
I hit the accelerator harder.
In the rearview mirror, I watched him fade. Smaller… smaller… until there was nothing but the road.
Goodbye, Adrian.
Don’t tell me you regret it.
I don’t care why you regret. I don’t care how you want to make it right.
We are done.
And for the rest of my life- I only want you as far away from me as possible.
When I got back to the mansion, I found Elias in the kitchen–frosting smeared across his cheek, his dark hair tousled, and a smudge of flour on the bridge of his nose.
He looked up the second he saw me, eyes lighting up.
With a proud grin, he lifted a cake off the counter like it was a trophy. “I think I’ve cracked the flavor,” he said. “Try it. It’s a sample for our wedding cake. I designed it myself.”
That was his surprise.
Ever since he proposed, Elias had taken over every detail of our wedding. Planning Venues. Cakes Florals.
He said all I needed to do was show up, enjoy the celebration- And be the most breathtaking bride this world had ever seen.
Who would’ve thought the most feared mafia head in England would be here–wearing a pink apron, baking like it was his life’s calling, just to make me smile?
God, I loved him.
New Life
+25 BONUS
We had a fall wedding. Exactly what I’d always dreamed–only better.
Nearly a thousand guests came to celebrate with us. Every table glowed under candlelight. Every corner of the estate overflowed with warmth and champagne laughter.
My mother walked me down the aisle, her hand firm around mine.
Elias looked so strong. Unshakable. But when the vows began, he cried.
Tears slid down his cheeks–not from weakness, but from love so deep it had nowhere else to go.
I leaned close, wrapping him in my arms.
“Come on,” I whispered at his ear, “don’t cry, Mr. Knight.”
His hands tightened around mine. “Have I let you down?” he whispered back. “I promised I’d make you the happiest woman in the world… have I?”
I smiled through my own tears. “Of course not. I am the happiest woman. Because I’m marrying the best man on the planet.” He kissed me hard, fierce and full of promise. And just before we turned to face the cheering crowd, I leaned in close once
more.
“And congratulations, Mr. Knight,” I whispered, “you’re going to be a father.”
He stilled. Then his whole face lit up–eyes wide, breath hitched, lips parted in disbelief. Excitement. Shock. Wonder. Love. All of it passed over his expression like sunlight breaking through clouds.
“Selene…” His voice cracked. He reached for me like he was afraid I’d disappear. “Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Knight. I… I’m the happiest man alive right now.”
He pulled me into his arms as the guests erupted in applause.
And as we kissed again, beneath golden leaves and autumn skies, I knew one thing for sure–This was my happy ending. And I had never once–not for a second–regretted leaving the past behind.
