Reborn To Change My Fate

Chapter 352 - Three Hundred And Fifty One

Derek did not look away. He did not call her crazy. He just listened.

"In my first life," Marissa explained, looking down at their hands. "I made a terrible choice. I married Carlos. And you married Ashlyn. I thought Carlos was a good man, but he was useless and lazy. I worked myself to the bone. I covered up his scandals, I built his wealth, and I forced him to the top. I made him the Grand Duke through my own blood and sweat."

She looked back up at Derek. "And you... you were married to my sister. Ashlyn was terrible to you. She was selfish and cruel."

Derek frowned slightly, trying to imagine a life tied to a woman like Ashlyn. It sounded like a miserable existence.

"Ashlyn saw my success," Marissa continued, her voice trembling slightly at the memory. "She was consumed by pure, toxic jealousy. She hated that I had built a powerful life while she was unhappy. Her jealousy drove her completely mad. She set fire to the bedchamber. She burned us both alive."

Derek’s eyes widened in horror. His grip on her hands tightened protectively. The thought of her dying in a fire made his chest ache.

"When the flames consumed me," Marissa whispered, "I thought it was the end. But then... I opened my eyes. I was back again. I was back in the wedding carriage, right before we arrived at the cathedral. We were reborn."

Marissa offered a small, sad smile.

"Ashlyn remembered the past life too," Marissa explained. "She remembered that Carlos became the Grand Duke in the future. She thought his success was his own doing. She thought she could steal my ’good luck’ by stealing my groom. So, she insisted on swapping grooms. She chose Carlos immediately."

Marissa looked deeply into Derek’s dark, beautiful eyes.

"And I chose you," Marissa said. Her voice was strong and clear. "I knew the rumors about the scary Grand Duke of Denver. But I chose you anyway. And it was the best decision of my entire existence."

Derek stared at her. His mind processed the incredible story. He realized that her sudden change in behavior, her brilliant political strategies, and her ruthlessness made perfect sense now. She had lived through the mistakes already. She was protecting them both.

Derek did not feel horror or disbelief. He felt an overwhelming wave of love and gratitude.

Derek smiled. It was a warm, incredibly tender smile that reached his eyes.

"It is really an honor to be chosen by you," Derek said sincerely.

He lifted her hand to his face. He pressed his lips against her soft knuckles, placing a gentle, lingering kiss on her skin.

Marissa smiled, feeling a huge weight lift off her shoulders. She had finally shared her greatest burden, and he accepted it completely.

She looked around the quiet bedroom. She suddenly realized someone was missing.

"How is Grandmother?" Marissa asked, genuine worry in her voice. "Is she safe? Carlos poisoned her tea at the temple."

"She’s fine," Derek replied quickly, rubbing her hand to comfort her. "The royal physician gave her an antidote in time. The poison was strong, but her spirit is stronger. She recovered fully within some weeks."

Derek smiled softly. "When she heard about your magical sleep, she refused to stay in the house. She went to the grand temple to pray for you. She has been living there for a week, praying day and night for the gods to bring your soul back. She will be back home soon. Probably before our coronation."

Marissa blinked in surprise. The word caught her completely off guard.

"Coronation?" Marissa asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Yes," Derek replied, his dark eyes filled with a quiet, steady pride. "Did you forget what I told you? King Alistair abdicated. We are going to be the new rulers of Eudora. The ceremony is scheduled for next week."

Marissa’s eyes grew wide. She was going to be the Queen. In her past life, she had fought tooth and nail just to be a Duchess. Now, by simply choosing the right man and fighting by his side, she was going to rule the entire kingdom.

Marissa smiled. A bright, playful light danced in her dark eyes. The heavy, serious atmosphere of death and past lives finally melted away completely.

She reached her hand out. She touched the crisp, dark fabric of his military jacket. She let her fingers trace the edge of the shiny silver buttons on his chest.

"You look really dashing in your uniform," Marissa said, lowering her voice to a soft, teasing purr. She looked up at him through her thick eyelashes. She smirked. "I like it."

Derek felt a sudden, familiar heat rise in his chest. His heart skipped a beat at her playful tone.

Marissa leaned forward. She closed her eyes, tilting her chin up. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to feel his lips against hers, to celebrate life, to celebrate their victory, and to simply be close to her husband.

She leaned in, waiting for his lips to touch hers.

But Derek suddenly panicked.

His logical mind loudly reminded him that she had just woken up from a month-long magical coma. She had been dead. Her body was still weak and recovering from dark magic. He was terrified that if he kissed her, if he let his passions take over, he might accidentally overwhelm her fragile state or cause her heart to strain. He needed to be absolutely sure she was medically safe.

Derek quickly pulled his head back. He stood up from the wooden chair so fast that the chair scraped loudly against the floor.

He cleared his throat nervously, looking everywhere except at her beautiful lips.

"I... I must call the royal physician immediately," Derek stammered, finding a clumsy excuse to avoid the kiss. He took a step backward toward the door. "Yes. The physician. You just woke up from a magical coma, Mari. I cannot be irresponsible. We need to check your vitals. I need to know you are completely stable."

Marissa opened her eyes. She looked at him standing awkwardly near the door.

She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned.

Derek saw her frown and felt a sharp pang of guilt, but he stood firm. "I will be right back," he promised, his face turning slightly red as he turned and practically ran out of the bedroom to fetch the doctor.