AURORA MOON
"Does Aurora have another chance?" asked an angry male voice.
Aurora's gaze lifted to the face of Kellan Ward. He looked so tired, so grief-stricken. Dark circles. Pale skin. Haunted eyes. She stretched up and put her hand against his cheek, but she was just a spirit without the ability to touch or to comfort.
"Kellan," she whispered. "I'm sorry."
"I was her father," said Harold Crane. "You think I would harm my own daughter?"
"I don't think it," Kellan said, sneering. "I know it. The same way you harmed her mother. Your jealousy of your own wife led you to ignore her, belittle her, and cheat on her. She died of heartbreak, Mr. Crane. Aurora was a reminder of how beautiful, talented, and out-of-your-league your wife was. You brought the mistress and the mistress' daughter into Aurora's home. You made her feel small, unwelcome, unworthy."
Kellan. Aurora felt her heart ache as her fists clenched. He was venting her anger. Taking vengeance for her.
And these people deserved every moment of pain.
Kellan produced a large hunting knife, and all four people started hunching and mewling.
"It's too late for apologies. It's too late for regret. If she doesn't get to be in this world, none of you do, either." He nodded at the Ward Family guards, a group of loyal subordinates who would die, and kill, for Kellan Ward.
Today, they killed.
When the final act of revenge had been taken, Kellan waved his free hand. "Dispose of the bodies." He looked at Assistant Jingyu. "Leave me."
"Sir..."
"Jingyu." Kellan met the gaze of the only person he might call a friend. "Leave. Me."
Aurora watched Jingyu's expression turn sorrowful. He stepped back and bowed his head. "Yes, sir."
When no one was left at her grave, Kellan fell to his knees and sobbed. That jagged blade was still in his hand, and he lifted it, putting it against his own neck.
"Kellan," she whispered. "No."
"I failed you," said Kellan, tears streaming down his face. "I couldn't protect you. I loved you the most in this whole world. Aurora, I would've done anything you asked as long as you didn't leave me." He put one hand on her tombstone. "Those who wronged you paid the price, little butterfly. Now I can go to you in the Underworld."
"Kellan," cried Aurora. "Please don't!"
Kellan tightened his grip on the knife and sliced through his flesh. Blood poured from the wound. He collapsed against the black marble. Weeping, Aurora draped her ghostly arms around Kellan. "If I had another life with you," she whispered. "I would only carry you in my heart. I would love you, Kellan, and only you."
As Kellan Ward took his last shuddering breaths, Aurora and her promises faded away into nothingness.
***|***|***|***|***
AURORA MOON
Aurora ran. Her bare feet splashed into puddles, scraped across stone. Her white lace dress, custom-made by Kellan himself, fluttered around her. Ahead of her, a man clutching her hand held a flashlight. Its thin blade of light barely sliced through darkness.
Is this the afterlife? I died. Oh, no. I'm in hell. My punishment is to exercise until my heart explodes. She was panting, her heart slamming against her rib cage. Her bare feet hurt.
"Hurry, Aurie. Your sister's waiting outside the garden gate. We'll save you from Kellan. And I'll marry you tomorrow morning."
What?
Aurora yanked her arm free and stopped running. Oh sweet hell. This was the first attempt of Aiden and Ivy trying to "rescue" her from Kellan. In her first life, they didn't even make it out of the garden. Tonight, Kellan would lock her in the golden cage, and she would live in it for the next year. It would take that long for Aiden and Ivy to finally take her away from Kellan.
Realization hit her.
I've been reborn.
God had eyes. The heavens had seen her suffering and given her a second chance. She'd been returned to twelve months before her death. She had a year to change her and Kellan's fates.
She wouldn't waste it.
Aurora turned around, intending to return to Butterfly Villa, but Aiden grabbed her wrist and spun her back around.
"What are you doing?" he asked. "We'll get caught."
"Good." She slapped at his hand, but he refused to release her. "Let me go!"
"What's wrong with you? We have to go now, or Kellan will catch up with us."
"I want him to," she said, attempting to pull her arm out of his grasping fingers. "I want Kellan. Not you."
Shock made Aiden release her. She rubbed her wrist. Then she flipped him off and wheeled around.
"Stop being crazy," snapped Aiden. "You actually want to be with that psycho? He's brainwashed you."
Before she knew what was happening, Aiden scooped her into his arms. She was immediately repulsed by his closeness. She slammed her fists against his chest and shoulders. "Let me go!" she screamed. "Let. Me. Go!"
She kicked her feet and smacked him repeatedly. He lost his grip and Aurora fell out of his arms and onto the grass. She ignored the aches and pains and climbed to her feet.
"You are so weak," she spat at Aiden. "Weak and pathetic."
"You stupid bitch. You don't know what's good for you." SMACK! His hand hit her cheek. Pain shot through her face as she staggered backward.
"Aurora Moon!"
Aurora turned and saw Kellan Ward. Tall. Muscled. Gorgeous. A dangerous glint in his dark eyes. He looked amazing in his gray suit pants. His white dress shirt was unbuttoned at the top and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
How could she have ever thought Aiden was handsome? He was a troll compared to Kellan Ward. Behind Kellan marched two rows of bodyguards dressed in black suits. Two of the men came forward and grabbed Aiden.
"Kellan!" She ran straight to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "That awful man tried to steal me."
Kellan went completely still. He gripped her arms and pulled her away. "Didn't you go with him willingly?"