Synopsis: In his first life, Lucien Vale loved her with a depth he could never put into words. But bound by the darkness of his world, he made the cruel decision to let her go - thinking she deserved more than the pain his life would bring. He watched as she fell into the arms of another man, believing him to be her savior, unaware that he was her doom. Lucien's heart shattered the day he cradled her lifeless body in his arms, knowing it was his choice that had led her to that tragic end. With no reason left to live, he welcomed death - but fate had other plans. Reborn into the past, Lucien has a second chance to rewrite the story of their lives. She's alive again, innocent and unaware of the love they once shared. This time, he vows to make things right. He won't run from his love anymore. He will show her how much he truly cares - and this time, he won't let her slip away. But even as Lucien works to protect her, the dark shadows of the past threaten to repeat themselves. Will their love survive the second time around, or will fate's cruel hands tear them apart once more?
Chapter 1 1
Chapter 1: Never Letting You Go
The room went still the moment they appeared-silent as shadows, cloaked in darkness.
He had summoned them only moments ago, sensing something... off. But nothing could have prepared him for the look in their eyes.
"Master," the lead shadow soldier knelt, his voice low, urgent. "It's her. She's been attacked."
Everything in him stilled.
"What?" he breathed, ice crawling down his spine. "Where?"
The soldier didn't flinch. "At the safe house on the east end. We arrived too late-there was blood-she's... she's fading."
The glass in his hand shattered. His world tilted.
"No," he said, his voice hoarse, barely above a whisper. "No-no, she was safe. You were supposed to protect her!"
But he was already moving.
He didn't wait for his coat. Didn't stop to think. He tore out of the estate like a storm unleashed, shoving past guards, ignoring calls, slipping into the car and slamming the door shut. The engine roared to life under his trembling hands.
Red lights were meaningless. Traffic blurred. His fingers clenched the wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. His chest rose and fell with ragged breath as sirens of panic screamed in his head.
She's not gone. She can't be. I'm not too late.
His heart felt like it was being torn in two. Regret clawed at his throat. Why did I ever leave her side? Why did I think distance would keep her safe?
The tires screeched as he pulled into the alley behind the safe house, doors flung open before the car even stopped. He ran-sprinted-ignoring the stinging cold of the wind and the scent of blood already filling the air.
And then he saw her.
She lay there, barely breathing, in a pool of crimson that soaked into the concrete beneath her. Her body limp. Her face ghostly pale. Time stopped.
He dropped to his knees beside her, hands trembling as they hovered over her broken form.
Elara, look at me!" he choked out, voice breaking. "I'm here. I'm here now, please... please don't close your eyes."
But her eyes, once so full of life, were fluttering shut.
His heart shattered.
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