Chapter 1
380words
"Tara, I've missed you so much."
Julian's touch grazed my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
I had been reborn exactly one month before my death.
This was Julian's daily routine.
Every day after I took my medicine, he would draw close to me, deliberately arousing my desires.
His kisses trailed down my neck as he skillfully explored my sensitive spots—something that would have left me utterly helpless before.
Now, as he approached, I felt a primal fear rising within me.
"Tara, what's wrong? Feeling unwell again?"
He pressed down on my head, his grip allowing no resistance.
One slight nod and he would have forced another dose of that vile medicine down my throat without hesitation.
I shook my head and tilted my face upward, playing the obedient wife.
Julian embraced me tightly, his movements becoming increasingly invasive.
Before, I believed Julian loved me passionately, which explained his daily advances. Now I understand—he only wanted to trigger my heat cycle sooner to harvest ingredients for his precious darling.
I lost track of time before Julian finally released me.
I fought back the bile rising in my throat as I watched Julian leave.
In the past, I'd always collapse into a drugged sleep afterward, leaving them completely unguarded around me.
This time I followed him and discovered a girl who could have been my shadow—we shared about eighty percent of our features.
"Lily, just wait a little longer. Soon I'll extract the scale from Tara's heart to cure your illness."
"It's fine, Julian, Zachary, I can hold on a bit longer."
Lily Wilson gently took Julian and Zachary's hands, putting on a brave face.
The next second, she doubled over, coughing up bright crimson blood.
"Lily!"
Zachary's fist tightened until his knuckles turned white.
"Lily, don't worry. I'll increase the dosage immediately. We'll force her into heat cycle."
"No, please don't hurt my sister. She's my only family, after all."
I clamped my hand over my mouth, choking back the sobs threatening to escape.
Increase the dosage. Force the heat cycle.
Each word hammered another nail into my coffin of despair.
What shocked me more was her calling me "sister"—as if we shared any blood at all.
"Who's there?"
