Chapter 18
I died.
There was no doubt about it. The cold steel against my wrists, the searing pain in my chest, the blinding fear in my mind–all of it had been real. I remembered the van, the masked men, and the betrayal. Most of all, I remembered him. Mikael Salvatore. The man I’d loved for five years, the man I thought would protect me, had ordered my death.”
And yet, here I was.
The shrill screech of my alarm clock jolted me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, silencing the noise with trembling fingers. My eyes darted to the calendar on the nightstand.”
A month earlier.}
The date stared back at me, mocking me. A full month before the night I died. Before the night I learned Mikael wasn’t just cheating on me with my best friend–he had decided I wasn’t worth keeping alive.
I sat up, my heart hammering. The sunlight streaming through the curtains felt wrong. The air was too warm. This couldn’t be real.
“Sofia?” His voice cut through my thoughts like a knife.}
Everything felt too alive.
The bedroom door opened, and Mikael stepped in. He looked the same as always–immaculate in a tailored suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. For a brief moment, I froze. He smiled, that easy, practiced smile that used to make me feel safe.
“You’re awake,” he said, walking toward me. “Good. You’ve been tossing and turning all night. Bad dreams?“}
He leaned down, brushing his lips against my forehead, and I felt the bile rise in my throat.
I forced myself to nod. “Something like that.“}
His hand lingered on my cheek. “Get some rest. I’ll handle things today. I’ll be back later.“}
The door closed behind him, and I finally exhaled, my body trembling. Everything about him–the concern in his voice, the warmth in his touch–felt like a cruel joke. I know the truth now. That same man had stood by while I was dragged to my death.”
And Sarah… My best friend. She had been in his bed while I was being hunted.}
I clenched my fists. My chest burned with fury. I wasn’t here just to relive my death. This was a chance–a chance to change everything. A chance to get revenge.}
I wouldn’t be naive again. If Mikael wanted me gone, I’d make sure I took him down first.)
But I couldn’t do it alone.”
I needed someone powerful enough to counter Mikael. Someone with resources, intelligence, and a reason to hate him as much as I did. The answer came to me instantly: Rafael Salvatore.
Mikael’s older brother. His rival for the Jack of Trades throne. Exiled and dangerous. The man Mikael feared most.
***
The bar was everything I expected it to be: dark, smoky, and buzzing with tension. It wasn’t just any bar–it was his bar. Rafael Salvatore’s domain, a place where the rules didn’t matter, as long as you had enough power to back it up.
I spotted him immediately.”
He was lounging on a leather couch in the back, a drink in his hand and two women draped over him like trophies. I took a deep breath and walked toward him.}
His eyes flicked up as I approached, and for a moment, I saw confusion flash across his face. Then, a slow, dangerous smirk spread across his lips.!
“Well, well,” he drawled. “If it isn’t Sofia Garcia. My brother’s precious girlfriend. To what do I owe this… unexpected visit?“}
The women on either side of him glanced at me curiously, but I ignored them. My focus was solely on Rafael.}
“I need to talk to you,” I said.”
Rafael raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of his drink. “Interesting. And here I thought you were Mikael’s loyal little lamb. Does he know you’re here?”
I stepped closer, locking eyes with him. “I don’t care what Mikael knows.“}
That seemed to catch his attention. He leaned forward slightly, dismissing the women with a wave of his hand. They left reluctantly, throwing curious glances over their shoulders as they disappeared into the crowd.
Rafael gestured to the seat across from him. “Alright, you’ve got my attention. What do you want, Sofia?“}
I didn’t sit. I held his gaze, my heart pounding as I said the words that had been burning in my mind since I walked in.§
“I want you to marry
