Chapter 2
The main hall was silent–only the Elder and I remained.
I looked at his grey hair and asked softly, “Elder, why didn’t you say anything?”
Even with Poseidon’s blessing, the Tidefolk had long been at the mercy of the ruling clans.
That’s why, generation after generation, Sea Nymphs were married into the Miller family—to gain
protection through their power and wealth.
Worry shadowed the deep lines on the Elder’s face.
“Serena, if you truly don’t want to marry into the Millers, no one can force you. Your happiness
matters most.”
My eyes filled with tears.
In my past life, I hadn’t known the truth until the very end–that the Elder hadn’t died of old age. Adrian had sent men to flay him alive… just to punish me.
This time, I would protect those who loved me. The Elder. And him.
As I stepped out of the hall, thick black smoke billowed from the direction of my house.
I ran toward the flames, shouting for help–only to see Adrian’s bodyguards driving the villagers
back.
Beneath a parasol, Lydia pouted as she watched me.
Adrian fanned her gently, coaxing,
“Don’t be mad, Lydia. It’s my fault–I shouldn’t have stepped into her house. You really are such a
little jealous thing.”
He turned and barked out orders.
“Add another can of oil. Make sure not a single hair of mine is left behind!”
I stormed up to them, rage in my voice. “Adrian Miller, what the hell are you doing?!”
Lydia shrank back into his arms, her voice soft and sugary.
“Miss Hayes, please don’t blame Adrian. I’m just… possessive, I guess. It’s hard for me to accept
Chapter 2
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that my husband once spent the night in another woman’s room. Every time I see that place, it just breaks my heart. I’m sure, as a woman, you understand…”
Memories surged. Half a year ago, Adrian had suddenly collapsed–on the verge of death.
I’d stayed up all night, using Tidefolk’s ancient arts to heal him, to purge the Shell Siren’s curse and replenish his vitality.
And now, that same room was being burned to the ground–used as an excuse to erase me.
And my mother’s ashes were still inside. Just as I moved to run in, I heard Lydia’s voice ring out, delighted.
“This box is so pretty! Wouldn’t it be perfect for our little keepsakes?”
I turned back in horror. Lydia had opened the urn. Her face twisted in disgust as she stared at the ashes inside.
“Give it back!”
I screamed, lunging forward–only to be slammed to the ground by one of the guards.
Lydia’s eyes turned misty, as if she were the one being wronged.
E
“This is your mother’s… ashes, isn’t it? Oh–I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. I just really liked the
box. How about I empty it so you can have your mother back?”
Adrian stroked her hair. “There’s no need to be so polite to her.”
He took the urn from Lydia, met my bloodshot eyes, and sneered with disgust.
“Still playing the poor victim, huh? Do you really think this will make me marry you?”
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“Your mother’s ashes were buried a long time ago. This is just lime or something. You love lying so much? Then let me give you a taste of your own filth.”
He grabbed my chin and dumped the ashes straight into my mouth.
I struggled, choking, tears pouring down my face, landing on his hand.
Adrian recoiled like he’d been burned, quickly wiping his hand clean with a tissue. Then he turned
to Lydia, flustered.
“I didn’t mean to touch her…”
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Lydia silenced him with a kiss, pressing her lips to his before he could say another word.
The ashes in my mouth made me cough uncontrollably.
My hands trembled as I tried to gather the scattered remains, to put my mother back where she belonged. But a gust of wind blew them away.
Adrian loomed over me, his voice cold as ice.
“Serena, drop your pathetic fantasies. If you ever upset Lydia again, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable life.”
As they walked away, side by side, hatred burned hotter in my chest–hatred from both this life and
the last.
I pulled out my phone, opened a message thread. It was someone everyone else had forgotten.
[Three days from now. I’ll be waiting.]
Chapter 2
