Chapter 2

Ethan' s eyes, usually sharp and commanding, were hazy, but they fixed on me with a disturbing intensity.

In my first life, that look would have melted me. Now, it just made my skin crawl.

"Chloe's on her way, Ethan," I said, keeping my voice flat.

I stepped back, putting distance between us.

"Sarah..." he mumbled, his hand still outstretched.

I ignored him and walked out of his private suite, the heavy door clicking shut behind me.

Chloe arrived minutes later, her designer dress perfect, not a hair out of place.

She swept into the suite, her eyes quickly scanning me from head to toe. I saw the flicker of suspicion, then relief when she noted I was fully clothed and composed.

"You can go," she said, her tone clipped and dismissive. "I'm here now. He doesn't need you."

I nodded once and retreated to my small, plain room at the other end of the sprawling penthouse.

The sounds from Ethan' s suite – hushed voices, then silence – eventually faded.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the memories of my first life playing like a horror film.

My pathetic, all-consuming love.

The cold, empty marriage.

Chloe' s death.

Ethan's calculated cruelty.

This time, I gave him Chloe. This time, I would escape.

The next morning, Chloe was at the breakfast table, radiant.

Ethan, nursing a massive hangover, looked pale but smug.

"Chloe is my girlfriend," he announced to the household staff, his gaze pointedly landing on me. "My future wife."

He turned to me, his voice laced with condescension. "Sarah, you will treat your future aunt-in-law with respect. The respect I taught you."

"Congratulations," I said, my voice bland.

Chloe, however, pouted. Tears welled in her eyes. "Ethan, darling," she whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I don't think Sarah is happy for us. She doesn't seem to welcome me."

Ethan' s face darkened. "Sarah, finish your oatmeal. Stop being rude."

I calmly pushed my bowl away. "I've had enough, thank you."

His jaw tightened. My composure clearly infuriated him.

Later that day, he cornered me in my room. The door slammed open.

"Are you sulking because of Chloe?" he demanded, his eyes narrowed.