Chapter 1: WAIT, I’M THE VILLAIN?!

LIAM’S POV

The day was supposed to be perfect.

I stood in front of the mirror, my hands trembling slightly as I adjusted my tie. My reflection stared back at me— dark eyes filled with excitement and just a touch of nervousness. Today, I was marrying the love of my life, Marcus.

"Liam, you look like you’re about to pass out."

I turned to see Gideon, my best friend, standing in the doorway with a smirk.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Can you blame me? It’s my wedding day."

"Yeah, but you should be happy, not looking like you’re about to run for your life." He walked over, fixing my tie for me. "Marcus loves you. We all know it. After everything, you both deserve this happiness."

I smiled, feeling my nerves settle. Gideon was right. Marcus and I had been through so much to get to this point. Nothing could ruin today.

At least, that’s what I thought.

---

The wedding hall was breathtaking. White roses adorned every corner, their scent filling the air. Guests sat in their finest attire, whispering excitedly. At the end of the aisle, beneath a beautifully decorated arch, stood Marcus.

He looked stunning in his white suit, dark curls falling over his forehead. The way he gazed at me— his emerald eyes filled with love— made my heart race.

This was it. Our moment.

I took a deep breath and walked down the aisle. Every step felt like a dream. My entire world narrowed to Marcus— his smile, his warmth, his everything.

Then, it happened.

A gunshot shattered the air.

Gasps. Screams. Chaos.

I turned sharply, my heart hammering. My eyes landed on a familiar figure at the entrance. Adrian.

The gun was still in his trembling hands. His face frozen in shock.

Something was wrong.

I spun back toward Marcus— just in time to see him stagger backward.

His white suit was no longer pure. It was stained red.

"Marcus!"

I lunged forward as he collapsed. My arms caught him before he hit the ground, and I sank to my knees, cradling him.

"No, no, no, no," I whispered, pressing my hands against the wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding. "Stay with me."

His emerald eyes fluttered open, lips parting as if to speak— but no words came.

Tears blurred my vision. My body trembled. "Please, don’t leave me."

His blood was warm against my hands. Too warm.

Then, he smiled— just a little, just enough to break me completely.

"Liam…"

His voice was weak. Barely a whisper.

And then— nothing.

The light in his eyes faded. His body went limp.

I didn’t realize I was screaming until Gideon pulled me back, holding me as paramedics rushed in. But it was too late.

Marcus was gone.

And Adrian, the man who had stolen him from me, just stood there— frozen in horror, whispering over and over again, "I didn’t mean to… I didn’t mean to…"

But it didn’t matter.

He had destroyed my world.

---

The days after Marcus’s death were a blur.

I barely left my apartment. The place we had shared— once filled with laughter and love— now felt like a prison. Everywhere I looked, I saw him. His smile. His touch. His warmth.

Gone.

Nights were the worst. Sleep was impossible. When I closed my eyes, I saw Marcus— standing in front of me, reaching out. And then— bang. Blood. Silence.

Gideon tried to help. He brought food I never ate, dragged me outside, but I was drowning. The pain was too much.

Then, one night, everything changed.

It started with a dream— or what I thought was a dream.

I was standing in complete darkness. An endless void.

Then, a voice.

"Do you wish to change your fate?"

I turned sharply, but there was no one.

"Do you wish to bring him back?"

My chest tightened. "Yes," I whispered. "More than anything."

A soft glow appeared, swirling like mist. From the haze, a woman emerged, her form wrapped in flowing robes. Her face was hidden, but I felt her gaze on me.

"Fate is cruel," she said. "But it can be rewritten. Are you willing to pay the price?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "I’ll do anything."

She stepped closer, the glow around her pulsing. "Very well. But be warned… the past is not always what you remember. And the future is never set in stone."

Something about her tone sent a chill through me. I swallowed hard. "What’s the price?"

She tilted her head. "You will know… when the time comes."

I didn’t like that. Every instinct screamed that this wasn’t right. But I didn’t care. If I had a chance to save Marcus, I would take it.

"Do it," I said.

She placed her hand on my chest.

Pain.

Fire tore through my veins, burning me from the inside out. I screamed, my vision blurring, my body breaking apart—

And then—

I woke up.

But something was wrong.

I was no longer in my apartment.

I stood in the middle of a street. A very familiar street.

My heart pounded. I spun around, taking in my surroundings. Hell’s Kitchen, New York.

What the hell?

Panic surged through me. I grabbed the closest person— a beggar wrapped in a dirty blanket. "What year, month, and date is this?" I demanded.

The beggar blinked. "October 31th, 2020."

My breath hitched. Five years ago.

Adrenaline flooded my veins. If this was 2020, then— Marcus was still alive.

A shaky laugh escaped me. In two days, I would meet him for the first time. I still had a chance.

I turned to leave, excitement surging through me.

Then—

A scream cut through the night.

I froze. Down the alley, someone cried out in pain. My instincts screamed at me to walk away, but my feet moved on their own.

I stepped closer.

A group of men stood in a circle, surrounding someone. One held a bat, another a knife. On the ground lay a man, bloodied and barely able to move.

Then, I saw his face.

I froze.

He looked exactly like me.

My breath caught.

Then— bang.

The man who looked like me pulled out a gun and shot the guy on the ground. No hesitation. No mercy.

I choked on a gasp.

The others turned sharply. "Who was that?"

I barely had time to react before the one who looked like me spoke.

His voice was sharp. Dangerous. And terrifyingly familiar.

"Find the person and kill him."

My blood ran cold.

I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t know where I really was.

But I knew one thing.

I had to run.