Chapter 2 THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Annabel froze. Couldn't move.

His lips were on hers. Warm. Demanding. Familiar in the strangest way. The kiss wasn't soft like a stranger's. It was sure-like he owned her.

She should've pulled away. Screamed. Slapped him.

But she didn't.

She knew she shouldn't be feeling this was but she could help it. Her heart thundered in her chest, confused, betraying her and loving the moment. She was confused. Dazed. And drawn in.

Then-slam!

Nathan's hand hit the table hard. The sound made her jump. He stood up so fast the chair fell over.

"You..." His voice cracked with rage. "Are you crazy?!"

He clenched his fist tightly, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

His eyes were locked on her, then on the stranger. They were filled with disbelief and fury.

"You called me here to see this?" he shouted. "You let some man touch you in front of me?!"

Annabel stumbled back. Her lips still tingled. Her mind raced. She couldn't find her voice.

"I-Nathan-I didn't..."

She stammered, searching for the right words. Just then, the stranger held her softly on her shoulders. He turned her gently, making her face him again. His eyes locked with hers.

"Don't be afraid," he said softly. "I won't hurt you."

His voice was calm. But his presence was dangerous.

He wasn't like Nathan. He didn't scream or threaten.

He just stood there, dark and tall and confident as if he owned everything.

As if she belonged to him.

"You're alive," he whispered, brushing a thumb across her cheek. A tiny smile curved on his lips.

Nathan roared. He lunged forward with a fist.

But the stranger didn't flinch.

He caught Nathan's punch in the air like it was nothing. His hand tightened around Nathan's, slowly, mercilessly. A cracking sound filled the room.

Nathan screamed in pain.

"Let him go!" Annabel shouted, heart pounding.

The man dropped Nathan's hand as if releasing garbage. He didn't even look at him. His eyes stayed on Annabel.

She swallowed. Her whole body trembled. What was happening?

"I came here to end this," she said to Nathan. "I don't love you. My sister was wrong about you. Don't call me again."

Then she turned and walked away, trying to ignore the fire still burning inside her.

"Carie!" the man called out.

She froze.

That name again.

Nathan rushed forward to block the man's path. "Who the hell are you?!" he growled. "What do you want with her?"

The stranger's voice was ice. "Her name is Carie. And she's my wife."

He shoved Nathan aside with one powerful move and stormed outside.

When he turned back she had already left but hadn't gone far yet.

He ran outside immediately and then saw her standing alone on the sidewalk.

She crossed her arms over her chest. She smirked in disbelief.

"Who the hell is Carrie?"

Just then, she saw him coming, her heart thundered. She took slow steps backward.

"Don't come near me," she said quickly. "I don't know who Carie is. That's not me."

His eyes darkened. "I know you. I know that face. That voice. That mouth."

"You're insane," she whispered. "You have the wrong girl."

He stepped closer, his gaze burning into her. "Then prove it."

"What?"

"Spend the day with me," he said. "Let me show you something. And if you still believe you're not her, I'll let you go."

Annabel blinked, then let out a short, cold laugh. "You want me to spend the day with a madman who thinks I'm his wife? No. Absolutely not."

She turned to leave, her heart was racing.

But then she saw it- a black suv parked in front of the restaurant.

Annabel recognized immediately. Her heart thundered.

Samantha stepped out.

And beside her, Caroline.

Of course. Nathan must have called them.

Annabel froze. Her pulse quickened with dread. She wasn't ready to face them. Not today. Not like this.

The stranger was still behind her, waiting. Watching.

She didn't turn to look at him. She just spoke.

"Yes," she said, almost breathless. "I'll spend the day with you. Just-get me out of here."

The drive was silent. He didn't ask her questions. But he kept stealing glances at her.

Except from the facial looked, she had changed so much from the Carie he remembered. She looked more beautiful, composed and soft.

Soon after, he drove into a beach house.

Annabel instantly regretted her decision to go with a stranger.

The beach house was beautiful. But extremely quiet.

He stepped out and opened the car door for Annabel.

Her heart thundered as she stepped out but the soft smile in his face, eased her tension a little bit.

He held her hand softly and then took her into the beach house.

The wide glass and white curtains flowing with breeze gave Annabel so much peace. The air smelled like salt and water.

She walked inside slowly. Everything was decorated with taste-soft colors, candles, flowers, framed photos. It didn't look like a random house.

It looked like home.

"Do you remember anything?" he asked from behind her.

"No," she said. Her voice was barely a whisper.

He walked over to an old record player and placed a vinyl on it. Soft jazz music filled the room. It was soothing and warm.

Then he came closer. Placed his hands gently on her waist.

She froze.

"What are you doing?"

He didn't answer. He just moved her slowly, leading her into a slow, smooth dance.

Her arms were stiff at first. But her body followed his, like muscle memory she didn't even know she had.

"Does this feel familiar?" he asked quietly.

She shook her head.

He leaned in closer. His breath was warm against her ear.

"Let me remind you."

Then he kissed her.

This time, deeper. Slower. Fuller.

She didn't stop him.

His hand pressed into her lower back. He kissed her like he could never stop. His hand caressed her neck softly.

Something told her this wouldn't end with just a kiss.

He pulled her closer, chest to chest, body to body.

Annabel's heart thudded wildly. She couldn't think. Couldn't breathe.

Everything about him felt wrong.

But also perfect.

And before she could process what she was doing-

She was in his bed.