Chapter 1
My father adopted two orphan brothers as bodyguards for my sister and me.[]
The older one was tall and strong – fell for my sister at first sight.[]
That left me with his “autistic” little brother.[]
I didn’t want Ethan sent back to the orphanage to get bullied, so I just accepted it.[]
He wouldn’t talk, so I dragged him to the best psychiatrists in the country.[]
Spent two hours every day telling him jokes, even though he never responded.]
He couldn’t protect me, so I learned martial arts myself and begged Dad not to send him away.
I thought he was just traumatized. That with enough patience, he’d get better.]
Until the cruise ship capsized.[]
He ripped the last life jacket right off my body.[]
First words he ever said to me:[]
“Sorry, but Madison’s life jacket is broken.“[]
Madison – that’s my sister.[]
He watched me sink into the ocean, squeezing my hand one last time:]
“I failed you in this life. I’ll make it up to you in the next.”
Huh. Turns out his autism was just an act. Only around me.[]
When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day we chose our bodyguards.]
0
I froze in my father’s office, staring at the two brothers.[]
Madison glanced at me and bit her lip.” Actually, I’ll take Ethan. Ava should have Jason. She needs the stronger protector.” She stepped away from Jason’s hulking frame toward his younger brother.]
Jason’s face fell instantly.[]
1 stayed frozen, processing this twisted déjà vu
Last time around, I’d fallen hard for Madison’s Oscar worthy performance. []
When she’d offered to switch bodyguards, I actually thought she was being selfless trying to give me the “better” option []
Right until our yacht sank. []
Chapter 1
Madison had wept prettily as they strapped my life vest onto her–never mind that Jason was a certified lifeguard, or that there was a damn lifebuoy floating right beside her.
Classic Madison. All performative resistance, zero actual sacrifice.]
But this time, I shrugged. “Fine by me.“[]
Madison paled. She’d been so sure I’d say no.
Ethan stared at me too, his eyes filled with confusion and shock.
“Absolutely not!” Dad cut in.[]
“You’re the Blackwood heiress. Your safety is what matters most. This boy has severe autism–he can barely function, let alone protect you.”
I smiled. So he’d known about Ethan’s condition all along.
But he’d still brought the younger brother here for us to “choose” from. This whole selection process was just for show.
“But maybe-” Madison quietly exhaled in relief, dabbing at her eyes as she started to speak, but Ethan interrupted:
“I can talk.“]
My head jerked up in shock.]
Ethan–the guy who hadn’t said a word to me in seven years–was actually talking now?]
When our eyes met, I saw that calculating look–too mature for his age–and I finally knew for certain: []
He’d been reborn too.
So much for his dying promise to “make it right.”
Even with a second chance, he was still trying to ditch me, huh?
Little did he know–I’d already written him out of my story.[]
“My combat skills can be tested,” Ethan continued smoothly.[]
Oh, I bet he could.
After I died, my spirit had watched him fight off sharks with nothing but a broken spear, keeping Madison alive until rescue arrived.
How pathetic that I’d spent my past life learning martial arts, terrified Dad would send this “helpless” little bodyguard back to the orphanage.[]
Sure enough, once Ethan stopped pretending, it took him exactly three moves to put our nationally–ranked trainer flat on his ass.
Dad’s resolve began to crumble. [
The disappointed expression on Madison’s face completely vanished.]
Between the brothers, Ethan had always been the more handsome one. If not for the autism, Madison would’ve chosen him from the start
Chapter 1
“Fine then. Ethan will serve you, and Jason, I’m entrusting you with Ava.”
Hearing that, Jason shot
me a look, his gaze lingering on
the scar across my
cheek with obvious
disgust.
Then he dropped to his knees.[]
“Sir, I’d rather return to foster care!”
