Chapter 1
Evangeline's POV
The icy pond water flooded into my lungs.
I struggled desperately, my arms flailing in the water, trying to grab onto something—anything—that might save me. But there was nothing, only the deepening darkness swallowing me whole.
No, please! Grace!
My hands clutched protectively around my three-month belly, where my unborn daughter lay. But I could feel her movements growing weaker inside me, like a flower wilting away.
"I'm sorry... Grace... Mommy was careless..."
I wanted to say more, but the water had already filled my mouth. My consciousness faded, and my last thought was—how could I have been so stupid, slipping by the pond like that?
Then, everything went silent.
"You died unjustly."
A voice echoed in the darkness, so cold it made me shiver.
I floated in a void of nothingness, surrounded by emptiness, with only this mysterious voice reverberating in my ears.
"What... what do you mean?" I asked trembling. "I accidentally fell into the pond myself..."
"No. You were murdered."
The words struck like thunder, and I felt the entire world shake.
"Impossible! I remember clearly—I slipped..."
"Memory can deceive. Truth cannot." The voice cut me off. "Someone wanted you dead. Wanted the child in your womb dead."
My heart felt like it was being crushed. Grace... my Grace...
"You will return to seven days before your death," the voice continued. "Find the killer. Avenge Grace. This is your only chance."
"What if I can't?"
"Then you will repeat your fate. Lose her forever."
"Darling, did you sleep well?"
A gentle voice pulled me back from the darkness. I snapped my eyes open to find myself lying in a familiar bed, sunlight streaming through white curtains onto the covers.
Caspian—my husband—sat beside the bed, his deep blue eyes filled with concern as he gently stroked my forehead.
"Caspian..." My voice was hoarse as I reached for my belly.
Still there! Grace was still there! I could feel her weak but determined life force within me.
Tears burst forth instantly. I threw myself into Caspian's arms, holding him tight like a lifeline.
"I had the most terrible nightmare..." I sobbed. "I dreamed I died, and our baby too..."
"Just a dream, love." Caspian rubbed my back, his voice soft as feathers. "I'm here. I'll always protect you both."
I looked up at him, his handsome face radiating sincerity and love. This was my husband, the most important person in my life. How could anyone want to harm me?
"But it felt so real..." I murmured. "You'll protect us, won't you?"
Caspian's eyes flickered for just a moment before returning to their gentle warmth.
"Pregnancy brings all sorts of strange dreams," he said, kissing my forehead. "The doctor says it's perfectly normal. What you need now is rest."
I nodded, nestling into his embrace. Maybe it really was just a dream. But that voice had sounded so certain...
"Evangeline, I brought you breakfast."
A soft knock came at the door as Ophelia—my stepsister—entered with a tray. She was a gentle, beautiful girl who had followed me around since childhood.
"Evangeline, you look terrible," she said with concern, approaching the bed. "Did you have another nightmare?"
"How did you know?" I was surprised.
"You've been talking in your sleep for days, and crying too." Ophelia sat on the bed's edge, taking my hand. "Evangeline, maybe you should see a doctor? I'm worried you're under too much stress."
Her hand was warm, her eyes filled with genuine concern. A wave of gratitude washed over me.
"Thank you, Ophelia." I squeezed her hand tightly. "With you both here, I'm not afraid of anything."
Caspian and Ophelia exchanged a glance before Caspian said, "I need to handle some estate business. Rest well. Ophelia will stay with you."
"Alright." I nodded obediently.
After Caspian left, Ophelia fluffed my pillows and poured me a glass of warm water.
"Evangeline, what was your dream about?" she asked softly.
"I... I don't know," I shuddered. "Everything was just dark, and so cold. It felt too real, like it had actually happened."
Ophelia's hand trembled slightly, but she quickly steadied herself.
"It was just a dream. Don't overthink it," she said gently.
I nodded.
Deep into the night.
Caspian slept soundly beside me, his breathing even and peaceful. But I couldn't sleep, that mysterious voice's words echoing repeatedly in my mind.
Someone wanted you dead...
I shook my head, trying to banish the thought. This was my home, surrounded by people who loved me most. Who would want to harm me?
Thud... thud... thud...
Footsteps echoed from downstairs.
I immediately became alert. At this hour, who would be walking around downstairs?
I carefully slipped out of bed and padded barefoot to the hallway. Moonlight streamed through the windows onto the floor, the entire manor shrouded in tranquil silence.
The footsteps stopped.
I walked to the top of the stairs and peered down. The living room was pitch black, empty.
"Strange..." I murmured.
As I turned to go back to the bedroom, I suddenly realized something—in my memory of last time, I had never heard such footsteps.
Things... seemed different.
I touched my slightly rounded belly, whispering to the little life inside:
"Grace, Mommy might really be facing some danger."
"Evangeline." Suddenly Caspian's voice came from the bedroom. I hurried back.
"Where did you go?" His voice was husky.
"I heard sounds downstairs, went to check." I slipped back under the covers. "Probably just imagined it."
"Mm." He pulled me close. "Don't wander around at night anymore. If something's wrong, wake me."
"Okay."
I closed my eyes, but my mind was racing. Seven days. I had to find whoever wanted to harm me.
But I had no clues. Who could it possibly be?
