The man was soaked, water dripping off his hair, landing hot against her collarbone like tiny sparks.
His bloodshot eyes burned with a wild, almost unhinged desire, like he was ready to consume her whole.
“Dominic…”
Ella could hardly believe what she was seeing.
She was sure Liam had hit her with the car—wasn’t she dead? So why was she suddenly back in this room she knew so well?
The chaos in her mind was interrupted by a flood of wet kisses crashing down on her.
Thinking about how distant Dominic had been in her past life made panic surge through her. Instinctively, she tried to fight back, but Dominic caught her wrists and pinned her down like it was nothing.
His kiss was fierce, almost savage, stealing the air right from her lungs. She couldn’t breathe…
Just when she was about to pass out, Dominic shoved her away.
Blood stained the edge of his lips. Calmly, he began to button his shirt back up, his long pale fingers fastening each one meticulously, all the way to the top button at his neck.
Just seconds ago, he’d looked like a man possessed. Now? Cold as ice. Like none of that heat had ever existed. It was chilling.
Dominic finished buttoning up, looked down at her with zero expression, and said flatly, “Ella, you actually thought I’d touch you?”
Dominic! Why? If he didn’t love her, why marry her? If he married her, then why treat her like dirt? Why had he never wanted her, not even once? Why had he only ever trampled on the love she gave him?
That scream of helplessness echoed in Ella’s mind suddenly, piercing and raw.
She gasped like she was waking from a nightmare.
And then it all rushed back.
Four years ago, she and Dominic had only been married for six months. But in all that time, he’d never laid a finger on her, no matter how hard she tried to win him over. Nothing worked.
In the end, pushed by her sister Clara, she threw away all self-respect and drugged his drink. She thought the dose was high enough that he wouldn't resist.
But he still did. He hadn’t touched her, not even then.
“If you try this again, you can get the hell out.”
With a loud slam, the door was shut in her face.
Ella sat frozen on the bed, bruises all over her, stunned and silent.
She… she had come back?
Back to four years ago? Back to the time when she loved Dominic so deeply she gave up all dignity?
Ella took a deep breath, staring at her own reflection—abandoned, hurt, but oddly… relieved.
“Thanks, Dominic. For not sleeping with me.”
In her last life, she spent four long years trying to win his love. Gave up her acting career, cut off all her friends, even ignored Granny who had raised her.
When Granny passed away and her calls to Dominic went unanswered, that's when it finally hit her—no matter how much love she poured into him, it would never be enough.
Their marriage was just a deal from the start. Dominic had only agreed to it to please his dying grandfather. All Ella had to do was play the dutiful wife as long as the old man lived.
Only she had foolishly believed kindness alone could change things.
Now that she’d let go of those feelings, Ella just wanted to start over—freely, and without him. If she could stay away from Dominic, maybe she’d finally get the fresh start she deserved.
This time around, she wouldn’t make the same mistakes.
Screw Dominic. Screw love.
She was done with both.