After Rebirth, I Ruined Them All

SARAH

I felt his body tense against mine, but it only took him a second before he grabbed me tighter and returned the kiss. Heat crawled to my neck and face.

After a few seconds that stretched endlessly, I pulled back, breaking the kiss. I took steps backward. His dark eyes glittered with hunger and lust. At that moment, regret and fear filled me. Maybe I shouldn't have kissed him. What if he decided to take things further than I wanted?

"I... you...," I stuttered. The situation was awkward. What was I supposed to say after kissing him like that? I just suddenly kissed a man I've hated for years. Wouldn't he be suspicious?

His lips tugged into a grimace as he gazed at me, his eyes glittering with mischief. "My nephew's little girlfriend has really got some nerves." He started coming closer, erasing the space between us.

Before I could say anything, he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. His eyes probed mine as though searching for clues about what was happening.

"Tell me," he mumbled. "What's with this trick of yours? Did my nephew send you here?" There was distrust and disappointment in his eyes.

I stared at him for a few seconds and said, "Marry me, Knox. Let's have our engagement party tomorrow."

His brows creased, and confusion briefly crossed his face before it turned into his usual cold and sinister expression. A smile formed on his lips. "Don't joke with me, little girl." He released his grip on my waist and tucked his hands into his pockets. "Tell me... who sent you here? Gerald or his family? What do they want you to get from me?"

The more he emphasized Gerald and his family, the more I suspected that there was something between them. Maybe the relationship between them wasn't as smooth as I thought. Gerald also never liked speaking about his brother, even in my previous life. Well, that explained why Gerald lied to me that he was my savior so he could marry the same woman his uncle had always loved.

Chuckling, I walked to him and ran my fingers across his chest. "For a man who chased me for years, I didn't expect this reaction after hearing my proposal. Why do you think I would be your family's tool against you?" I raised my gaze at him and flashed a flirtatious smile. "I'm going to ask you again, Knox. Do you want to marry me? If yes, let's get engaged tomorrow."

His eyes grew colder, and his aura exuded danger. Goosebumps rose on my skin. I almost reacted out of fear, but I held back. He wouldn't kill me. He loved me so much in the past that he didn't dare marry somebody else because he was afraid of being entangled with someone else by the time I decided to choose him. 

"Do you realize the mess you're walking into?" He grabbed my chin and tilted my head up. His eyes were a mixture of coldness and something almost like intoxication. His fingers grazed my face as he whispered, "Do you also know what will happen to you if I find out you are lying?"

Of course. Who wouldn't know that? Everybody knew he was a heartless and wicked bastard. He was nicknamed "Demon" all over town. There was also a rumor that he killed his business partner because of betrayal. In the past, I didn't believe any of that, yet I couldn't stop myself from running from him. That was one of the reasons I hated him. 

Sighing deeply, I held the hand he placed on my face and smiled. "I know, Knox, and you are free to do whatever you like with me if this turns out to be a deception."

Releasing my face, he nodded. "Does Gerald know about this?"

"No, he doesn't. I have free will, and I'm using it freely," I responded, staring into his eyes.

He snickered. "Your free will might get you into trouble, little girl."

"That's why I have you to protect me. You won't watch people castigate and judge me harshly for choosing you, will you?" I leaned forward.

He stared at me for a few seconds, chuckled, and poked my nose. "I see what you're doing. You want to break the engagement, and you think I'll be the right person to use, huh? Don't you feel indebted to him anymore? He saved you from drowning two years ago." Something shifted in his eyes when he said that, but it disappeared before I could name it.

My heart sank at the statement. I was such a fool. I've been running after the wrong man for years.

Shrugging off the thought, I grabbed his arms tightly. "Aww... you're so smart, Knox, but I'm not using you. I really want to be your bride," I mumbled, intentionally ignoring the 'savior' part. I was scared I might reveal my secret if I kept talking about it.

He encircled his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. He stared into my eyes as if I were some kind of treasure.

"You cannot leave after today, Sarah." His voice was soft for the first time since I had known him.

"I know."

"You will stay with me henceforth," he said.

"I don't mind," I responded.

I didn't care what his conditions were. I just wanted to find a capable ally and take my revenge on those who hurt me in the past.

• 

The next morning, the sound of my phone woke me up. When I opened my eyes, it was already morning, and the rays were filtering through the window.

Picking up my phone, I realized I'd missed countless calls. While I was still trying to check who had called, my father's text came in, asking why I didn't come home the previous night and where I was.

Then I remembered I hadn't texted to inform them I would be sleeping out. Knox wouldn't let me do anything. He took me into the bedroom and stayed with me until I fell asleep. It was as though he was afraid I might vanish if he let me out of his sight even once.

Immediately, I texted my father back and told him I would go directly to the engagement venue when it was time. Afterward, I flung my phone to the side and got out of bed, forgetting entirely about the calls.

Knox was nowhere in sight. With the way he acted last night, I thought he would stay in the same room with me, but it seemed that was just wishful thinking.

When I got downstairs, the workers were everywhere, engaging in different activities. I looked around but didn't see Knox. Just as I was about to head outside, my eyes caught a glimpse of the kitchen, and an idea surged in my mind.

How about I make something good for him to assure him that I was with him? Maybe that would help me gain some of his trust because, even with my explanation yesterday, I could still see doubt in his eyes. Don't get me wrong-I deserved it and wasn't complaining. After everything I did to him, it was only right if he built walls of defense around his heart.

I walked into the kitchen, and the maids gaped at me, surprise and admiration evident in their expressions.

"Hello, Ms. Sarah." A woman dressed differently from the others stepped forward with a smile tugging at her lips. From her demeanor, I could tell she was the head of the maids.

"Good morning, ma'am," I greeted.

"Please, call me Jane. I'm the head of the staff in this house," she introduced. "Mr. Knox told us to give you everything you want. Please kindly tell us what you would like to eat for breakfast," she added.

I looked around, still feeling awkward under so many eyes. I could sense envy in some and curiosity in others. I wouldn't be surprised if I were the first woman Knox had brought into this house.

"I want to cook," I announced, earning surprised glances from them.

Jane smiled. "You don't have to do anything yourself, Ms. Sarah. Just say the word, and we will make sure whatever we prepare suits your palate," she said.

"No, Jane. It's not about me. I want to surprise Knox with breakfast, and if I want it to be a real surprise, I have to make the food," I told her.

She exchanged glances with the others, and they smiled, their cheeks turning red. One after another, they left the kitchen, leaving only Jane and me.

"I'll stay with you in case you need any assistance," she said, bowing slightly, and I went straight to work.

I was about to plate the food when I heard a maid scream, followed by Knox's voice. Fear gripped me.

When I rushed out of the kitchen, I froze the moment I reached the living room.

Knox was strangling a man.