The Bride of Endless Deaths novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes, I was met with Julian Blake’s anxious face, his eyes red and swollen.

“Evelyn, you’re finally awake!”

“You’ve been through so much staying with me. I never thought the backlash from my Arcane Pact would

get this bad. Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to save you.”

His words flowed so easily, as if they could somehow hide the truth of how he’d tormented me.

Before, every time I woke and saw him in tears, my heart would ache for him. Back then, I thought it was my

punishment for breaking the rules of the Contracted Realm by being with him.

Each death felt almost sweet, as though I deserved it.

Now, I saw it for what it was-a cruel joke.

When I didn’t offer the comfort I usually did, Julian’s anxiety was palpable.

“Evelyn, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I lay in the bed at the Metropolitan Medical Center, staring blankly at the ceiling. My voice came out as a

whisper. “Julian, I’m in so much pain…”

He touched my face, his voice thick with emotion. “Evelyn, I’ll never let you hurt again.”

Words that once melted my heart now made my stomach turn.

I wanted to ask him: When you killed me, were you grieving for me, or were you just worried about Sierra

Prescott?

But the words stuck in my throat. I didn’t want to ask

“Here, Evelyn, have some soup.”

anymore.

He picked up a bowl of chicken noodle soup from the bedside, ready to feed me. As I opened my mouth, his phone rang.

“She’s awake? I’m on my way.”

He hung up and gave me a half-hearted excuse. “Evelyn, one of my patients just woke up. I need to check on them.”

Before I could respond, he stood, knocking over the bowl. Scalding soup splashed across me, burning my skin.

Julian didn’t even glance back, his figure practically bouncing with excitement.

Chapter 2

Ex-Husband step aside

Lady Boss Returnc

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I knew he was rushing to fulfill Sierra’s hundredth wish.

Even knowing the truth, I couldn’t stop myself from following him.

My heart froze when I saw Julian at Sierra’s bedside, feeding her soup, one careful spoonful at a time.

“Sierra, I made this soup just for you. Try it.”

“Julian, you’re such a great cook. I’m so jealous of Evelyn-she gets to eat like this every day.”

Julian laughed, ruffling her hair. “Jealous of her? This was made just for you.

Outside the door, I clenched my fists so hard my palms stung.

Even the chicken noodle soup was for Sierra.

“Julian, I’ve decided,” Sierra said. “For my hundredth wish, I want Evelyn’s heart.”

“What?” Julian shot to his feet. “Sierra, I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” Sierra’s voice broke into sobs. “You said she’s the Lead Character, right? She won’t die. But I will, Julian. Can you really watch me die?”

Her tears fell like delicate rain, and Julian hesitated.

He called out to the Arcane Pact in his mind. “Arcane Pact, is it true the Lead Character can’t die, no matter

what?”

The Arcane Pact paused for a moment. [Theoretically, yes, but…]

Before it could finish, Julian took Sierra’s hand with a smile. “Don’t worry, Sierra. I’ll do it.”

The wall stood between us, and I sank into a chair outside, my heart so heavy it felt numb.

I knew what the Arcane Pact didn’t say.

I’d already applied to leave the Contracted Realm. Soon, I wouldn’t be the Lead Character anymore.

I forced myself to stand, leaning against the wall. Then Julian’s shocked voice came from behind me.

“Evelyn, what are you doing here?”