Chapter 17
Samuel’s POV
I froze. I couldn’t believe what Felicia had just said.
She didn’t love me anymore?
That was impossible.
In our past life, she loved me so much she was willing to stay alone for the rest of her life after I died. And now, just because of one small mistake, she said she didn’t love me? That couldn’t be true. That couldn’t be her heart speaking.
I wanted to say something–anything–but Kevin stepped right in front of me with that damn cocky grin I always hated.
1/7
Chapter 17
+ 5 Points
“Didn’t you hear her, Samuel? Felicia is my mate now. You should learn to respect that.”
Kevin had been raised in the combat rings. The guy was all brute and muscle–definitely not someone I could overpower, especially not with my father breathing down my neck already. No matter how much I wanted to run after her, I had no choice but to let Larissa drag me back to the room.
Back to a room that used to be filled with stolen glances and secret heat.
In our past life, Larissa and I had hidden everything from Felicia. After faking our deaths, we ran away together, eloping far down south. We exchanged vows in the dark, and spent what felt like endless nights wrapped in each other’s arms. I remembered every breathless moment–hell, I used to live
2/7
Chapter 17
+ 5 Points
for those memories.
But now that we were married for real, standing in the light with the world watching, all I could think about was Felicia.
Her voice, her face–I saw it everywhere. Even the blurry figure I used to dream about suddenly wore her features, as if fate had been pointing me to her all along.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to see her again. There was no way she’d really let go of me that easily.
Just as I turned to leave, Larissa grabbed me from behind, holding me like she was about to shatter. Her voice broke as she sobbed against my back.
“Samuel… I know you hate me right now. But today is our wedding day. If you go to Felicia
3/7
Chapter 17
+ 5 Points
now, what will everyone say about me? They’ll laugh at me, scorn me… Please, I’m your fated mate. Just this once, can you help me save face?”
Tears clung to her lashes, her cheeks stained and eyes red. She looked pitiful–fragile, like a trembling little rabbit. Disgust curled in my gut, but I couldn’t stop the memory of how she used to be in our past life. Gentle. Obedient. Always begging for more beneath
- me.
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t move.
She must’ve taken that as a sign.
Larissa leaned in boldly and pressed her lips to mine, soft and needy, her breath catching in that way she knew would get to me.
“Samuel,” she whispered against my lips.
4/7
Chapter 17
+ 5 Points
“Just tonight. Please? After tonight, you can go find Felicia if you want… Just don’t leave me now.”
She knew exactly how to bait me. My throat tightened. Even though I loathed the lies she’d fed me, even though every part of me screamed to push her away, the atmosphere -the heat–started to stir something primal in me.
I growled low in my throat, then shoved her beneath me, anger tightening every word.
“Just this once. Tomorrow, I’m going to find Felicia and get the truth from her. After that, whether we separate or not–you don’t get to say a damn thing.”
Larissa nodded eagerly, her fingers already fumbling with the clasp of her red bra, drawing my hand to help. My breath hitched
5/7
Chapter 17
+ 5 Points
as soft skin met my touch, and all rational thought fled.
Shadows danced across the walls. Her moans filled the night and refused to fade.
It wasn’t until dawn broke across the sky that I finally stopped.
Larissa lay in my arms, breath shallow, her body still clinging to mine. She pressed her face against my chest and murmured in that sweet, delicate voice of hers:
“Samuel… Isn’t this good enough? Maybe I lied about knowing how to shoot, but if you want me to learn, I will. You don’t love me just because I can fire a gun, right? You love me because we’re fated mates. Don’t you?”
Her voice–sugary, coaxing–made my whole body stiffen. Just like that, all desire
6/7
Chapter 17
+ 5 Points
vanished.
I pulled away, cold and blunt, and started putting on my clothes.
“The woman I love would never lie to me like you have,” I said, buttoning my shirt without looking back. “I told you–last night was a one–time thing. Today, I’m going to find Felicia.”
And with that, I walked out.
Leaving Larissa alone, tangled in the sheets.
7/7
