Chapter Three - Aurora

I jerk up with a scream. Light floods my vision and I’m momentarily blinded. Behind my closed eyes, stark images assault me. My near-death replays vividly, even when my eyes fly open I see it. To my greatest surprise, I’m not in a hospital. 

I recognize the large windows and white walls—I’m back home. 

“Honey, are you okay?” I look up to see Dorian rushing in. 

My immediate instinct is to shrink away. Dorian is here! 

But how? 

What did he tell Sylas? Do the police not suspect him for trying to kill him? 

That would explain why I’m back home. Whatever story he told them, they must’ve believed him. 

He has brought me back to finish what he started. 

“Stay the hell away from me!” I shriek. 

Dorian stops cold. His expression changes into fear and confusion. “Darling, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”  

“Don’t act clueless, Dorian. You evil man! You won’t get away with this.” I push back further when he advances toward the bed.

“Aurora, I don’t know what—” 

“I’ll call the police. I’ll tell them everything! The both of you will rot in prison!” 

“Aurora!” His voice cuts the air sharply, stunning me into silence. “Please, stop. I don’t know what you’re talking about and I’m starting to get worried that you’ve lost your damn mind.”  

My heart pounds loudly in my chest as I regard him to know what game he’s playing. 

He’s trying to make it seem like I’m insane. Nobody would believe a word I say if he succeeds. 

Anger boils in me. first he tries to kill me and take my money and when that fails, he wants to pretend I’m crazy! 

“Just calm down and talk to me.” He slowly walks to the bed and sits down. That’s when I notice it. 

He looks different in a way—Much younger. His face is clean shaven, the goatee he had started growing a few months ago nowhere in sight. 

What sort of trickery is this?! 

“Was it a nightmare? It’s been a while since you’ve had one but I know how terrifying it is for you.” As he talks, my gaze shifts to the room and the little things I missed in my state of panic. 

The painting I had bought him for our one year anniversary is missing. His video game shelf is barely full. 

Confusion clamps around my mind. “What is happening?” I mutter. Then slowly, I stare down at my body. I’m in Dorian’s shirt with nothing underneath. My skin is smooth and fair. I don’t feel like I’ve been sick. Light reflects off the diamond ring on my finger calling my attention. It still looks brand new. 

I know it’s crazy. I know it shouldn’t be possible. But I ask regardless, “What day is it?” 

Dorian stares at me like I’ve asked him to jump out the window. “It’s the 14th,” he says uncertain. 

“The 14th,” I repeat dumbfounded. Without my asking he supplies the month and the year still staring as if I’ve gone completely mad. 

It’s the day after we got married. But how? 

We’ve been married two years. His cousin arrived two months ago. 

How am I back here? 

‘I wish I could do it all again.’ The thought hits me like cold water. I had said it as I was dying. 

Could it be that I somehow went back to two years ago? Could it be some higher power has given me another chance? 

The thought fully solidifies when I reach over and take my phone. The time and the date is clear. Congratulatory texts fill the screen from employees and clients…and Sylas! 

“Aurora?” I lift my head to find Dorian now wearing a worried expression. 

if this is real, then he doesn’t know that I have foresight. 

My eyes widen at the possibility that I’ve already exposed myself. I force tears out of my eyes and rush to hug him. 

He startles before wrapping his arms around me. 

“I had such a horrible dream, Dorian. I’m so sorry I freaked out.” I make my voice tremble. “It felt so real and I got confused when I woke up.” 

His voice comes out soothing and filled with warmth. “It’s okay. You’re safe with me.” 

Before I would’ve gotten tingles and butterflies fluttering in my stomach but I feel nausea and disgust. 

I stare up at him and there’s nothing in his face but love and concern. Damn. He’s a very good actor. 

No wonder it was so easy to fall for him and his tricks in two years. Not anymore. I will make him pay. He and Bianca will regret the day they decided to deceive and kill me for my money. 

“Come on,” he says, pulling away and taking my hand. “I made breakfast.” 

I have no idea when he started poisoning me or how he did it. My food? My morning coffee? 

I’m not taking any chances. 

“I’m not hungry.” 

He pauses and a red blush creeps up his neck. “You sure? We had a very long and… intense night. You need to eat.” 

I watch the boyish way he avoids my gaze and my heart twinges with hate. Such a good actor. 

I let myself imagine the satisfaction when he and his fiancee gets what’s coming for them. 

“I’ll eat something on the way.” 

“On the way? You’re going out?” He looks at me perplexed. 

“Uh, yes.” I smile warmly. “I just remembered I have something important to check with Sylas.”

“Come on, darling.” He closes the distance and nuzzles his face in my hair. I flinch for a second and he thankfully doesn’t notice.

His mouth starts trailing kisses down my neck. “You said no work for a week. Just us, the bed, the pool, remember?” 

I have a vague recollection of saying that. But I had been blindly and foolishly in love with a snake! 

I gently push him back, careful to display affection in my eyes. “I’m sorry. This is very important. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.” 

I don’t wait for him to respond before I hurry into the bathroom and lock the door. 

Taking deep breaths, I steady myself and call Sylas.