Second Life, Second Love: Married To My Savior

"As agreed, Mr. Marshall, the registration between Sabrina and Vernon will take place this Saturday, with the wedding arranged for early next month," someone said confidently.

Up in her room, Sabrina Foster's eyes snapped open, the glittering chandelier above her swimming into focus.

A phantom ache tore through her chest-the echo of her death at Vernon Marshall's hands in her past life. The memory clung to her skin like ice, but the scene before her left no room for doubt.

She had come back. Reborn on the very day when Theo Marshall, the head of the powerful family, arrived with a marriage proposal for his late brother's son.

Through the heavy doors, his commanding voice carried with ease. "These are the gifts to the Foster family. Ruben, announce them one by one."

Bodyguards in black filed forward in perfect formation, each tray they carried gleaming with excess: rare jewels, luxury watches, property deeds, and polished car keys. Ten extravagant offerings worth more than a hundred million.

The Fosters, a family of status themselves, could only gape in awe at such overwhelming generosity.

Joslyn Foster, Sabrina's stepmother, moved quickly, ready to accept the treasures with eager hands.

However, before she could touch a single gift, the doors burst open and Sabrina strode out, her voice cutting through the air. "Stop! I will not marry Vernon Marshall!"

Gasps rippled as every face turned toward her.

Her gaze locked, unbidden, on the tall figure of Theo.

Her heartbeat thundered wildly in her chest as she stared at him, breath catching at the weight of his presence.

His eyes locked on her, cold and unreadable, his striking features carved in stone without the faintest flicker of warmth.

Memories clawed at Sabrina's mind. In her last life, Vernon had forced her to deliver health supplements to Theo day after day, never knowing he had laced them with poison. Under the guise of her care, Theo's body had withered, and Vernon had stolen the empire Theo had built with his own hands.

The betrayal hadn't ended there. Vernon had staged her abduction, luring Theo to a remote warehouse. There, his limbs were broken, and he had been left to rot in unrelenting pain.

Why Theo had chosen to save her in that life, she never understood. But she could not escape the truth-she had been the unknowing instrument of his downfall.

Her spiraling thoughts shattered when Theo's deep voice cut through the silence. "Why refuse Vernon now? Weren't you the one who claimed to love him? If he upset you, say the word, and I'll discipline him."

Her father, Terry Foster, slammed his words down like a gavel. "Sabrina, you're on the verge of marriage. It's time you learned to bend a little instead of making trouble. A husband won't tolerate endless quarrels."

Joslyn's lips curled with mockery, her voice dripping with venom. "Wasn't all that drama and tears just one big act to get Vernon to marry you? Now that you've achieved it, what more do you want?"

From the corner, Lynda Foster, Sabrina's half-sister, shot her a knowing glance, a smirk twisting her features. "Don't tell me you're waiting for Vernon to kneel and propose properly. If that's your fantasy, wake up-it will never happen."

Sabrina's lips curled with a bitter sneer only she could feel. It wasn't just her family. Everyone in the glittering social circles knew she had once adored Vernon beyond reason-and it was true.

The day before Theo's visit, she had walked into Vernon's office carrying a lunch she had cooked herself, happiness bubbling in her chest. Instead, she had found him sprawled on the sofa with his secretary, Emeline Moss, locked in a heated kiss, her skirt hiked indecently around her waist.

The lunch box had flown from her hands, crashing to the floor as she choked out her fury through tears. But Vernon hadn't looked the slightest bit ashamed. Straightening his clothes, he trapped her against the wall with a smirk.

"If this gets out, you'll be the one humiliated," he had said coolly. "You want to be my wife? Then swallow this. Men with power don't stick to one woman for life. Learn that now."

She had stumbled home shattered, crying until she fainted more than once through the night.

By morning, Theo had appeared, announcing the proposal as if nothing had happened.

Never in her darkest dreams had she imagined she would be reborn to this very moment. But this time, she would not repeat her mistakes.

Turning her back on her family's shocked faces, she walked directly toward Theo.

He sat tall and commanding, his six-foot-three frame radiating an effortless authority that made the air around him heavy. Even seated, his presence was overwhelming.

Sabrina's hands balled tightly at her sides, but her voice came out steady. "The marriage pact between my grandpa and your family never stated who I had to wed, did it?"

Theo's brow creased slightly, his expression unreadable. Danger and magnetism seemed to linger in his gaze.

He replied evenly, "My late brother left behind only one son-Vernon. He's about your age, and there's no one else-"

Sabrina interjected, her words striking like a blade, "But you're unmarried too, aren't you? Then I choose you. I'll marry you!"

Sabrina's interruption landed like a strike of lightning, her voice firm and unshaken.

The room froze instantly, silence thick enough to choke.

Every face turned toward her in disbelief, stunned into stillness by her words.

Terry's rage snapped like a whip. He hurled his coffee mug to the floor, shards scattering. "Shut up! Do you even hear yourself? Mr. Marshall is Vernon's uncle. Have you completely lost your mind?"

Panic flickered across Joslyn's face. Afraid Theo might take offense and rescind the lavish gifts, she scrambled to her feet and rushed to pull Sabrina back. "You must still be half-asleep! Talking nonsense in front of Mr. Marshall like this. Come-wash your face and clear your head," she scolded, yanking hard at Sabrina's arm.

Sabrina couldn't wrench herself free.

She knew her father too well-if the engagement wasn't destroyed here and now, he would stop at nothing to tie her to Vernon.

By nightfall, he would drag her into signing marriage papers, and if she resisted, he'd shove her straight into Vernon's bed to seal the deal, all for his family's alliance with the Marshalls.

In her past life, that was exactly how she had been tricked into a sham of a marriage.

Once she had outlived her usefulness, Vernon had tossed her aside-pushed her down the stairs, her body skewered on a jagged wooden stake, ending her life in agony.

Her past life clung to her like a brand, every scar etched with anguish she could never erase. In this lifetime, standing with Theo was the only path left to her.

As Joslyn tugged at her arm, Sabrina was anxious, her mind racing for a way to break free.

Then, cutting through the tension, Theo finally spoke. His deep voice carried no anger, only weight. "You'd better be certain."

No dismissal. No outrage. Just a measured warning after thought.

Sabrina's family sat stunned, disbelief flickering across their faces.

Hope flared in Sabrina's chest-she had gambled right.

Using Joslyn's moment of hesitation, she slipped free and slid onto the narrow single-seater sofa beside Theo. Her slight frame brushed against his arm, the closeness deliberate. She tilted her face up, her skin flushed and her features soft yet striking. Though her eyes were swollen from holding back tears, they still sparkled with determination.

"I've already made up my mind. This isn't impulsive," she declared firmly.

Theo's brows drew together, suspicion shadowing his gaze. "Why?"

Her heart steadied. She knew this man wasn't someone who could be deceived with shallow words.

Her sudden defiance was bound to raise his suspicion, but hesitation would only weaken her stance. So she lifted her chin and remarked, her voice firm, "Because marrying you is far more beneficial than marrying Vernon. Besides, he's never once thought I was worthy of him, so I'll make him choke on it when I become his aunt-in-law."

The audacity in her tone matched the reputation she had always carried-headstrong, willful, unyielding.

Terry's face flushed crimson, his whole body shaking. "Shameless! You've dragged our family's honor straight through the mud."

But Theo's voice cut across his fury, cool and sharp. "Are you saying marriage to me is a disgrace?"

The retort silenced Terry instantly, his mouth opening and closing without words.

Seizing her chance, Sabrina wrapped both arms around Theo's, her eyes sparkling with delight. "So you'll accept me?"

She leaned closer, her silken nightgown brushing against him, the soft curves of her body pressing against his arm as if by accident.

From where Theo sat, the sight was disarmingly provocative. His response came in a low murmur, almost reluctant. He gently but firmly slid his arm free, as though the nearness of her body was something he refused to indulge any further.

He rose to his full height, the sharp lines of his tailored black suit emphasizing the power in his frame. His presence filled the room, restrained yet commanding.

Whatever flicker of emotion had surfaced in his eyes was quickly buried as he looked down at Sabrina. "Do you come with me now, or will you wait until after we're married?"

For a heartbeat, Sabrina faltered. Technically, she and Theo barely knew each other at this point. But the dangerous glare from her father burned at the edge of her vision, and she lifted her chin, masking her nerves with a playful curve of her lips. "Afraid they'll make things difficult for me if I stay?" she asked, her tone light but pointed.

Theo's ears reddened at the accuracy of her jab, though he gave no reply, his hand slipping casually into his pocket.

Satisfied with his silence, Sabrina let the moment go. She clasped her hands behind her back and replied with composure, "We'll wait until we register our marriage. I'll need time to prepare as well."

Theo tilted his head in agreement. "Ruben, leave the gifts for my fiancée."

The shift in how he addressed her drew every eye in the room.

But Sabrina only lifted her hand with an easy wave. "No need to leave them here. They're mine now, and I'll use them when I'm truly married."

Theo studied her carefully, his sharp gaze lingering long enough to catch the steadiness in her eyes. Finding no hint of resistance, he gave a low murmur in reply before turning on his heel and leading his entourage out.

The instant his tall figure disappeared through the doorway, Sabrina braced herself-she knew the storm was coming.

Right on cue, Terry's fury exploded. He lashed out with a vicious kick, shattering the ornate coffee table and sending the coffee pot and mugs scattering across the polished floor.

"Speak, Sabrina!" he yelled, his voice shaking the walls. "What the hell are you playing at?"

"Of course, I'll get married," said Sabrina. "Isn't that what you've been pushing for, that I hurry up and honor the marriage pact?"

She leaned back against the sofa, looking as calm as ever.

Terry's face burned with fury. "Everyone in the elite circle knew you were meant to be Vernon's wife. And now you want to marry his uncle? Do you even care that you're dragging our family's name through the mud?"

Sabrina gave a short laugh. "Why didn't you say that to Theo himself just a moment ago?"

His jaw tightened, but not a word came out. He could not admit that he lacked the courage.

She saw straight through him, every thought laid bare.

Back when her grandfather still lived, her family had stood on equal footing with the Marshall family.

That balance had long since disappeared.

Theo had risen early in his career, proving his sharp instincts in finance. He built the Marshall Group into the leading force in the city, and his personal fortune had already climbed beyond a trillion.

Without the engagement binding them, Sabrina-given her family's dwindling influence-would never have stood a chance at marrying into the Marshall family.

That was why Terry held his tongue. He would not risk provoking Theo.

From here on out, Sabrina had Theo at her side.

"Dad, Theo has already agreed to the marriage," Sabrina responded. "So stop wasting your breath. He prepared gifts worth almost a hundred million. You had better prepare something respectable, to avoid any unwanted gossip about your motives."

Joslyn shot up in protest. "What nonsense! Those so-called gifts were taken back. We never saw a single coin from them."

Sabrina let out a sharp laugh. "Those gifts were for me, not for you. And don't forget, before my mom died, she left me wedding gifts of her own. Or are you planning to steal those from me, too?"

Joslyn faltered, unable to answer.

Lynda snapped, "Raised you for nothing, did we? Every penny we ever gained from her was spent on you. We don't have anything left to give."

"Is that so?" Sabrina pushed herself to her feet and walked straight toward her. "Because I know what's in your jewelry box. The diamond necklace, the emerald bracelet, and the two antique porcelains sitting in your room-they were all my mom's. Whatever you took, you'll hand back."

Lynda's face twisted as she jabbed her finger at her. "How dare you sneak into my room! You're nothing but a motherless bitch, clinging to a man much older than you. Vernon was the match you should've wanted. Everyone whispers that Theo can't even perform as a man, and yet you're throwing yourself at him? Disgraceful."

The moment the words left her mouth, Sabrina's hand came down across her face with a resounding slap.

With Theo as her backer, she would no longer swallow her anger in silence. "You're the love child of a mistress. Don't you dare talk about my mom. If Vernon appeals to you so much, then chase after him yourself. Don't think I don't know about you slipping money to his secretary just so she can seduce him. And say what you like about Theo, even if he had flaws, he's still leagues above a filthy womanizer like Vernon. When Theo learns you guys have been scheming your way into the Marshall Group, you'll be the one to pay the price."

Lynda's hand covered her burning cheek as her eyes widened, stunned that Sabrina had struck her down so bluntly.

For years, she had plotted, throwing Emeline into Vernon's path just to ruin Sabrina's chances at happiness. But Theo's knowledge of it would destroy everything. That could never happen.

Joslyn suddenly gasped and pressed a hand to her chest. Tears welled up as she turned to Terry, her voice trembling. "After all this time, she still brands me a mistress. I can bear her cruelty, but if she twists things between us and the Marshalls, how will we ever face them once the marriage goes through?"

Her plea pierced straight into Terry's greatest fear. His jaw tightened, and the weight of it shadowed his features.

The union of Sabrina and Theo could not be allowed to happen!

"Guards!" Terry's voice boomed across the room. "Seize her. Lock her in her room, and no one opens that door until I say so."