Chapter 1 Death Is Back

Gemma Elliott barely had time to react before Brendan Edwards tightened his grip on her wrist and snapped, "Gemma, how could you do something like this? You actually wanted to Sallie's reputation?! You are beyond redemption! No matter what happened between the two of you, she is still family. How could you be this cruel?"

Gemma trembled without control. "Brendan, I didn't do it," she said weakly. "I swear I didn't."

Brendan wrapped an arm around Sallie Elliott and pulled her close. He glanced toward Gemma. "What? Are you going to claim Sallie framed you? Apologize to her right now."

With great effort, Gemma lifted her head. Tears clouded her vision as she looked at Brendan, the man she once insisted on marrying no matter the cost.

For six years she had loved him in silence. Three more years passed after that as his wife.

Even though she knew she had only taken the place meant for her older sister, she still held onto the foolish hope that someday he might treat her with a little warmth.

Yet now, because of Sallie's accusation, he treated her like garbage.

The coldness in his eyes crushed the last piece of hope she carried.

Tears slipped from her lashes.

She spoke slowly, each word trembling but clear. "I didn't do it. I won't admit to something I never did."

"Brendan, please don't blame Gemma. This is all because of me." Sallie's voice trembled as she leaned closer into Brendan's arms. "When we were children, I accidentally lost her and she suffered outside because of that. Later, I went abroad for treatment, and she ended up marrying you in my place. I shouldn't have returned. I'm to blame for the strain on your marriage. This is all my fault."

Her crying turned uneven as she struggled to finish her words. "If she resents me, then I deserve it."

The moment those words left her mouth, Brendan's anger flared.

For years, he had searched everywhere for Sallie without stopping. The woman he loved had finally returned, so how could he allow her to suffer even the smallest grievance?

His arm wrapped around her as he held her close. When his gaze shifted back toward Gemma, every trace of warmth disappeared, leaving only hatred.

"People answer for what they do." His voice carried a cold edge. "You will stay here until you realize your own mistake."

Without waiting for any answer, Brendan lifted Sallie into his arms and headed straight for the exit.

"No! Brendan! Please!" Gemma pleaded. But he didn't look back once.

No one answered Gemma, and the darkness swallowed the room whole. The despair in her chest seemed to crack something open in her mind.

In that moment, the memories she had lost for six years rushed back all at once.

A chill spread across Gemma's eyes. In the next second, she kicked the door open forcefully.

Whenever she once looked at Brendan, her eyes had been full of love. Now only fury remained.

A hoarse laugh escaped her throat.

"Pathetic," she muttered. "I abandoned the highest rank I held in the Dominion. I did it for my family. I did it for the man I loved. And this is the result."

Memories surged back like a flood.

"Death, are you certain about this? If you want to return to the Elliott family, we will have to implant a chip in your brain. Every memory connected to the Dominion will disappear. Without those memories, you will live as an ordinary woman," a voice said within the memory.

"I have decided," Gemma answered calmly. "I will give up everything. I want to go back to my family."

"In that case, the Dominion will grant your wish."

Six years earlier, she had been the most feared warrior in Eighwell and the ace commander of the Dominion.

Because of family. Because of love. She chose to seal away every memory tied to Death and live as an ordinary person.

What did she receive in return? Contempt from her own family. Cruelty from the man she loved.

Gemma slowly closed her eyes. When they opened again, cold light filled them.

"Sallie. Brendan. Every member of the Elliott family," she said quietly. "Don't complain when I destroy everything you have."

The moment she stepped outside, the night wind pulled at her thin clothes. Neon lights from behind cast a cold glow across half of her face.

"Death is back."