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. Everything felt too alive.

This couldn’t be real.

“Sofia?” His voice cut through my thoughts like a knife.

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 me.”

“Marry you?” Rafael choked, nearly spilling his drink as he stared at me. “Come again, my lady. I didn’t quite get that.”

“You heard me,” I said. “I need you to marry me."

Rafael leaned back on the leather couch, running a hand through his dark hair. The low light of the bar cast shadows across his sharp features, making the smirk that followed all the more dangerous. “You’re going to have to explain this one, sweetheart. Because last I checked, you were Mikael’s doting girlfriend. And now you’re here, asking his sworn enemy for a ring?”

“If you want to get revenge for everything Mikael has done to you, this is your chance,” I said bluntly.

His smirk faded, replaced by a look of genuine confusion. “And why exactly are you trying to get revenge? Aren’t you the one always hanging on his arm?”

“Not anymore,” I said, crossing my arms.

Rafael studied me, his dark eyes narrowing. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”

“In my past life—well, let’s just say, I learned something.”

His brow furrowed. “Like what? That he’s cheating on you?”

“How do you know that?” I snapped, my chest tightening.

His lips curled into a smug grin. “Because I’ve been watching you.”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Then you know why I’m here. Mikael isn’t the man I thought he was. He betrayed me in ways you can’t even imagine. So, are you in or not?”

Rafael tilted his head, intrigued but skeptical. “You’re not giving me much to work with. Marriage isn’t exactly my idea of fun, but… I’ll think about it.”

I leaned in, speaking softly enough that only he could hear. “You won’t regret it. But decide soon—this isn’t something I’m waiting on.”

With that, I turned and walked out of the bar, feeling Rafael’s gaze follow me the entire way.

Later that evening, I walked into Mikael’s apartment for our scheduled date so he wouldn’t be suspicious of my plan. Mikael stood in the kitchen, his sleeves rolled up and an apron tied around his waist. He looked up and smiled as if everything was perfect.

“There you are,” he said, setting down a plate of steaming pasta. “I was starting to think you weren’t coming home.”

I forced a smile. “Got caught up.”

“Sit,” he said, pulling out a chair for me. “I made your favorite.”

I sat down, my eyes scanning the table. The dishes were immaculate, the wine perfectly chilled, and the centerpiece—a velvet box—immediately caught my attention.

“What’s this?” I asked, pointing to the box.

Mikael grinned, reaching for it. “I missed our date last night because of work, so I stopped by the auction to make it up to you.”

He opened the box, revealing a dazzling pink diamond necklace.

My stomach twisted. This had happened before.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, lifting the necklace with trembling fingers.

“You deserve the best,” Mikael said, taking a seat beside me. “Now, let’s eat.”

Before I could respond, I noticed something odd. Three plates were set on the table.

“Mikael,” I said slowly, “why are there three plates?”

As if on cue, the door opened, and Sarah stepped in, beaming.

“I hope I’m not too late!” she said, her voice sickeningly sweet. She dropped her purse on the couch and walked over to the table, pulling out the third chair.

Mikael stood and kissed her cheek. “Of course not. I invited you. Sofia’s been saying how much she’s missed you.”

I gripped my fork, forcing myself to smile. “How thoughtful.”

Sarah sat down, flipping her hair over her shoulder. A gleaming gold diamond necklace caught the light, and my heart sank.

“That’s stunning,” I said, gesturing to the necklace. “A gift?”

She nodded, her cheeks flushing. “From my boyfriend.”

I tilted my head. “Boyfriend, huh? You’ve been talking about him for ages, but if we’re such good friends, why haven’t I met him?”

Sarah laughed nervously. “Oh, you know how it is. He’s busy with work.”

“Busy? Come on, if he loves you. He’ll make time. How about you bring him to my birthday party next week?”

Sarah smiled faintly as she glanced at Mikael. “Well, let’s see… but no promises.”

The rest of the meal was a blur. Mikael played the perfect boyfriend, pouring me wine and keeping the conversation light.

Sarah chimed in with stories, laughing too hard at Mikael’s jokes and brushing his arm too often.

But I knew better now.

That night, as Sarah suggested an overnight stay “just like old times,” I forced another smile and agreed. And I was right, when they thought I was already sleeping, they sneaked and started being intimate. I could only cry as I heard their moans.

“You’ll have everything once her father transfers the estate,” Sarah’s voice, soft and giddy, sliced through the quiet hallway. “It’s only a matter of days after your proposal.”

“And then we’re free of her,” Mikael replied, “If it weren’t for the reason that her family owns a lot of legal businesses in the city that I can use to strengthen our group, then I wouldn’t have her. Sofia is just a tool. Nothing more.”

I froze, the champagne flute in my hand trembling. My breath caught, and I pressed myself against the wall, hidden just around the corner.

“She has no idea,” Sarah continued, a smug laugh slipping from her lips. “Propose to her, pretend you’re marrying her, get everything, then... she’s gone.”

My heart clenched as Mikael chuckled lowly. “It’s already in motion. Days before the wedding, it’ll all be over. And then, you and I…”

I couldn’t listen anymore. Their voices faded as the words replayed in my mind. I had wondered why I’d been killed in my past life. Now I know. Mikael wanted my family’s fortune, and Sarah—my best friend—was his accomplice.

If I agree to the proposal, I’d die.

Not this time.

***

The ballroom sparkled with extravagance, filled with the elite of our city—politicians, business moguls, and mafia royalty. Tonight was my birthday, but it wasn’t a celebration for me. It was a display of power, a stage for Mikael to solidify his grip on my family’s empire.

I descended the grand staircase slowly, my eyes scanning the room. Mikael stood near the center, effortlessly charming as he laughed with my father. They both turned as I approached, their faces lighting up.

“Sofia,” my father said. “You look stunning.”

Mikael stepped forward, his hand outstretched. “More than stunning. Perfect, as always.”

I forced a smile and let him take my hand, but the warmth of his touch made my skin crawl.

“Everyone’s waiting for us,” he said, leading me toward the center of the room. The crowd parted as we walked, all eyes on us.

The orchestra softened, and Mikael turned to face me.

“Sofia,” he began. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were special. You’re strong, intelligent, and everything I could ever want by my side.”

Lies. All lies.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. The crowd held their breath as he dropped to one knee, opening the box to reveal a dazzling diamond ring.

“Sofia Garcia, will you marry me?”

Applause erupted around us. My father beamed. Mikael looked up at me, confident, certain of my answer.

But I wasn’t the same woman who’d said yes in my past life.

“No.”

The applause stopped abruptly, replaced by a stunned silence. Gasps rippled through the room, and every eye turned to me.

Mikael’s confident smile faltered. He rose slowly, his hand tightening around the ring box. “What did you say?”

“I said no.” My voice was calm, clear, and loud enough for everyone to hear.

Murmurs broke out among the guests. My father looked mortified, his face turning red as he stepped forward. “Sofia, what is the meaning of this?”

Before I could answer, the grand doors to the ballroom swung open.

Rafael strolled in. His sharp features shadowed under the soft glow of the chandeliers.

Mikael’s expression darkened. “What are you doing here? Who invited him?”

“I did,” I said, turning to face the room. “Because he’s the one I’m going to marry.”