chapter 4

Julian's expression shifted.

I got scared he might be having an episode. I pushed him gently and said quickly, "No, that's not it at all. I don't regret it. I'm just not used to suddenly having someone around all the time."

Julian let out a soft laugh. Then he leaned his forehead against mine. "So can I call you Eloise from now on?"

I tried to back up and put some distance between us. "Of course you can. We're... we're going to be married."

Julian didn't let up. "Do you think I'm good-looking?"

His warm breath mixed with mine. I didn't answer his question.

Suddenly, the door next to us slammed open.

Damien was struggling to push his wheelchair through the doorway. He was staring at us.

Without anyone to help him, everything was difficult for him to do. Ashley wasn't going to take care of him. She'd already left the house to go have fun somewhere.

Damien's face was dark with anger. "What the hell are you two doing? Have you no shame? Eloise, are you really that desperate?"

I rolled my eyes. "Excuse me, but this is my house. Do I need to report everything I do to you?

"And what about you? It's the middle of the night. Why aren't you sleeping? What are you doing wandering around? Trying to race that wheelchair?"

I looked pointedly at his wheelchair as I said it.

I know it was kind of a low blow, but honestly, it felt good.

Damien wheeled himself right up next to me. He grabbed my wrist hard. "Eloise, can't you survive without a man? First you throw yourself at me, and now you're all over my so-called brother."

I tried to pull my hand free, but Damien's grip was way too tight. It hurt.

Julian moved like he was going to help me, but I stopped him. I wanted to handle this myself.

"Damien, you're the shameless one here," I shot back. "My dad saved your ass and married you to me, and you're still not satisfied?"

I stepped closer, my voice rising. "Now you're crawling back begging me for help? How pathetic can you get? If anyone's shameless here, it's you."

Damien had never heard me talk to him like this before. His face went red and he shoved me hard.

I lost my balance and my head slammed into the stair railing. Pain exploded across my forehead. I felt something warm and wet, and when I touched it, my fingers came away bloody. A huge lump was already forming.

Julian immediately pushed Damien aside and helped me up.

Damien took a deep breath and tried to collect himself. "Stop acting. I barely touched you."

Then his tone shifted, becoming almost pleading. "But seriously, Eloise, you're really not going to help with my legs? Not even as a favor?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at him with a cold smile.

His expression darkened instantly. "You could help me if you wanted to. You used to be willing. Why won't you do it now?"

Huh, he really had some nerve.

In my last life, he blamed me for keeping him away from Ashley. Now I'd given him exactly what he wanted, and he was still blaming me.

And after everything I did for him before? After I spent every penny I had helping him rebuild the Ashford Group? What did I get for all that?

He burned me alive to cover his tracks.

Right before I died, he'd leaned in close with this twisted smile on his face and told me that every single second he spent with me made him sick.

"You think being the heir makes you special?" he'd hissed. "You're not any better than Ashley. You love me, right? So it doesn't matter how I treat you.

"I never want to see you again for the rest of my life. Just die, Eloise!"

Remembering those words made me want to throw up.

I had no idea how he still had the nerve to ask me for help.