Debt of a Lifetime

The Blackwoods family owed me a life.

Old Mr. Blackwood told me to pick any of his grandsons to marrywhoever I chose, Id get.

In my past life, I chose Ethan Blackwood, the one Id secretly loved for years.

The day before our wedding, he crashed his car after I called him.

He woke up mentally unstable, a patients with mania.

Whenever his illness flared, hed beat me and curse me.

I felt guilty, so I endured it all, no matter how much it hurts.

Until I was one month pregnant.

He sliced my wrist and held me under the water in a bathtub, drowning me over and over.

His eyes were clear, not a trace of mania.

"If you hadnt forced this marriage with your life debt, Chloe wouldnt have been driven to marry that fifty-year-old fossil."

"Did you know? When she cut her wrists and jumped into the lake she was carrying my child!"

Half-dead, I begged him on my knees to let me go.

He just sneered and dragged me straight into the underground cold storage unit.

"The one you should be kneeling to isnt me. Its her."

He forced me to kowtow and apologize to Chloe Zhangs corpse, over and over. I froze to death, still on my knees.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the choice.

Old Mr. Blackwood asked kindly, "Serena, have you decided who youll marry?"

Before I could answer, Ethan Blackwood, standing right in front of me, spoke up.

"Grandfather, I cant marry Serena. Chloe is pregnant with my child."

Our eyes met. I knew instantlyEthan had been reborn too.

Under his mocking gaze, I lifted my hand and pointed at Ethans older brother, Liam Blackwoodthe one they whispered was autistic.

"I choose him."

Instantly, everyone looked at me with pity.

Old Mr. Blackwood, whod always doted on me, knew I loved Ethan.

He thought I was just lashing out after Ethans betrayal. He swung his cane and whacked Ethan hard.

"That Chloe means nothing! If shes pregnant, get rid of it! Thinking she can marry into the Blackwoods by trapping you with a baby? Not a chance!"

Ethan glared back defiantly.

"Chloes innocent! She didnt even know I was a Blackwood when we were together!"

"Unlike some people" His eyes cut to me, sharp as knives. "...whod milk a life debt forever?"

Old Mr. Blackwoods face darkened instantly.

As a former soldier, he valued loyalty above all, let alone a life-saving debt.

"Fine!" he roared.

"I see that little tramp has addled your brain! Today, Ill beat some sense back into you with the family rules!"

Seeing Grandfather meant business, a flicker of resentment flashed in Ethans eyes.

He turned and snapped at me:

"Serena Archer, dont say I didnt warn you. If you insist on marrying me, get ready for a lifetime of loneliness."

"Even if I have to crawl out of here today, I wont betray Chloe. Not one bit!"

His words rang out, bold and dramatic, like a warrior charging for love.

I bit my lip, fighting back a bitter laugh.

I wonder if hell still be so devoted once he sees Chloes true colors.

Grandfather was furious. He grabbed the rattan cane and brought it down hard on Ethans back.

Thwack! Thwack!

Ethan gritted his teeth, not making a sound. After a few strikes, his face was flushed red.

When Grandfather paused, winded, I stepped forward.

"Grandfather Blackwood, Ive thought this through. I choose Liam."

"You cant force love. I dont want to tear apart this loving pair."

Ethan frowned at my words, clearly not believing Id back down so easily.

Grandfather shot Ethan a disgusted look and threw down the cane.

"Serena, marriage is a big decision. Take your time."

"If you change your mind later, just tell me. Ill back you up, okay?"

Tears welled in my eyes. In my past life, Ethan only dared treat me like that after Grandfather died.

With no one left to protect me, hed been free to do as he pleased.

The farce of choosing a husband ended quickly. I stayed a while longer with Grandfather before leaving.

Just as I stepped over the threshold, I spotted Ethan lurking in the corner.

Ugh. Him.

I pretended not to see him and walked straight past.

"Serena," his icy voice cut through the air, freezing me in place. "How does it feel to be reborn?"

He sauntered over, his 6'2" frame blocking my path like a wall.

"Dont think I didnt notice you testing me. Serena, youve known me for two lifetimes. You know how much I hate schemers."

"Let me make this clear: even if you do marry my brother, it wont get to me."

His voice dripped with arrogance. He still saw me as that lovesick girl whod do anything for him.

I didnt deny it. My decade-long crush had made me do plenty of stupid things.

If he hadnt personally tortured me to death in my past life, I might not be able to walk away so calmly now.

"Ethan Blackwood," I said, meeting his gaze squarely.

"Since youre laying it out, so will I. In this life, you and I go our separate ways."

"Best if we never cross paths again."

Ethan scoffed, his eyes raking over me with disgust.

"To cover up your little schemes, you really dare say anything."

"Its obvious, Serena. You know I wont marry you this time. So your best bet is to latch onto that lunatic brother of mine. That way"

"You can stay in the Blackwood family and cling to me every day."

I stared back calmly, refusing to explain.

He took my silence as agreement and sneered.

"Serena, I will marry Chloe. As long as you behave this time, dont ruin things for us"

"I might even consider taking you as a second wife. Maybe even let you bear my child."

I clenched my teeth. "Ethan, youre delusional."

"Who you marry means nothing to me. In fact, Ill wish you happiness. Because soon, Ill be your sister-in-law."

Ethans face darkened instantly.

He lunged, grabbing my throat and slamming me against the wall!

"Enough games. Im not joking," he hissed, his breath hot on my face.

"You'd better forget everything from before."

"If I catch you laying a finger on Chloe Ill make your death last longer than last time. Understood?"

Ever since the news broke that Id chosen Liam Blackwood, my phone hadnt stopped buzzing.

"Serena, you cant throw your life away just to spite Ethan!"

"If you cant marry Ethan, fine, but Liam Blackwood? Do you even know his reputation?"

I pressed my lips together. Of course I knew. Id grown up with the Blackwoods.

Liam had high-functioning autism. People whispered he was eccentric, unpredictable, and cruel.

They said the women hed broken could fill a stadium.

A total psycho.

But I knew he was better than Ethan.

In my past life, when Ethan, pretending to be insane, pushed me down the stairs and broke my leg, leaving me stranded and ignored

Liam was the only one who offered me his hand.

Even though that leg ended up lame, I was genuinely grateful to him.

Besides, I knew Ethan wouldnt let me go easily this time.

Lets see how the fake madman fares against the real one.

After the choosing, things were quiet for a few days.

I buried myself in my studio, finishing a painting for a competition.

One day, the moment I pulled open the studio door, I froze.

Ethan stood there, Chloe Zhang draped over his arm.

They were vandalizing my unfinished work.

Not just that onethey had defaced every piece in the entire studio.

Chloe tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Ethan, do I maybe have a talent for painting?"

Ethan patted her head, dripping with affection. "Of course, darling.

Youre brilliant. Use this studio anytime. Paint to your hearts content."

Among these works were my mothers final pieces.

"What are you doing?!"

Seeing Chloe raise her brush towards my competition piece, I snapped.

"Oh! The real artist is here!" Chloe showed no panic at being caught, only feigned delight.

I glared at Ethan. "This is my studio."

Ethan snorted. "Funny. What in the Blackwood estate belongs to an Archer?"

"Besides," he added, smirking, "Chloes having fun. Thats the highest purpose your scribbles could ever serve."

I gripped the frame until my knuckles turned white, bitterness flooding my mouth.

After Mom died, I couldnt even touch a brush. It was Ethan who gave me this studio.

He told me: "Keep painting. Its how she lives on."

The memory overlapped with the man before me.

How did I not see it last time? Hed changed long ago.

"Serena," Chloe cooed, holding a brush dripping with black paint, "is this your mommys work? Let me add some color!"

My vision tunneled. I lunged, shoving her away.

"Ah! Ethan! My stomach it hurts!" She stumbled, then collapsed dramatically.

"You bitch!" Ethans hand cracked across my face before I could blink.

"I knew it! Youre always looking for a chance to hurt Chloe and my child!"

My left cheek burned. The coppery tang of blood filled my mouth.

Behind him, Chloe whimpered theatrically.

"Ethan, dont blame Serena Its my fault I shouldnt have touched her things"

"Its just a stupid painting!"

Ethan roared. He swung his fist at the easel holding Moms portrait.

The canvas was instantly torn through, a huge hole in the middle.

"NO!!"

I threw myself forward, but it was too late. The painting was destroyed.

I stared at Ethan, tears streaming unbidden.

"Ethan that painting Mom left it for you too."

Ethan frowned, glancing at the ruined canvas.

For a split second, confusion flickered across his face.

It was a family portrait Mom painted. Little me stood in the center, holding Ethans hand.

Ethan hesitated, opening his mouth.

"Ethan! Blood!" Chloe shrieked, clutching her stomach.

"Our baby save the baby!"