Bennett's eyes started to twitch as his hateful stare was transfixed on Nick. Eventually, he snapped as he lifted the blood-dripping axe directly above his head.

"YOU BROUGHT THIS ON YOURSELF!" He yelled. "I TOLD YOU CHEATING WAS UNFORGIVABLE!"

Just as the axe was about to lunge forward, I jumped to push Bennett away. "NO!" I wailed in despair as Bennett stumbled backwards.

As I wrestled with Bennett for the axe, his strength overpowered me as I was pushed backwards into the nearby counter.

"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TRYING TO PULL SOMETHING FUNNY RIGHT NOW!" Bennett commanded as he pointed the axe at Nick who was trying to make his way toward me.

Nick raised his hands as if to surrender. "Listen, do what you want to me, but don't hurt Vana." Nick pleaded as he cautiously stood up.

Bennett clicked his tongue as he approached Nick. "What I choose to do to doesn't concern you. She belongs to me."

Just as Nick was about to protest, Bennett slammed the axe into my leg without any hesitation. I screamed at the top of my lungs in pain.

Without blinking an eye, Bennett took the axe out of my leg and continued his pursuit of Nick. I clutched my bleeding leg tightly as I tried to suppress the pain. He's a monster... a h-h-horrible monster...!

With the axe now held up against Nick's heart, Bennett looked at him sternly in his eyes. "You really are despicable," Nick remarked as his eyes were planted on me while trying to suppress his own anger.

Bennett simply smiled as he took sadistic pleasure in thrusting the axe into Nick's chest. Upon instant impact, Nick started to cough up blood as he stumbled forward.

"NICK!!!" I wailed in anguish. With a weak smile, Nick dropped to the floor as he crawled toward me.

"Don't... c... cr..." Nick struggled to get the words out as he started to cough up more blood as his breathing got heavier.

Bennett watched Nick gasp for his life without any remorse. His eyes were devoid of any emotions as he awaited Nick's inevitable death.

Not wanting to give him any satisfaction, Nick gave Bennett one last look before turning towards me. Using his last breath, he kissed me before burying his head into my neck.

"I'll... always have Vana's heart. Even... in dea..." Nick's limp body fell to the floor.

As I watched the light fade from his eyes, the waterworks started once more. I couldn't do anything but hold his body as I cried for him to come back.

Not allowing me to mourn any further, my face was turned to the side with an axe to face Bennett in the eyes. His grip on the axe was shaking profusely as his face was brimming with hatred after witnessing the kiss.

"You have no idea how angry I am right now." He said through gritted teeth. "You'll be begging for death when I'm done with you."

At this point, my heart has gone completely cold. I didn't care for torture or punishment. I was simply left with a numb feeling inside. Not wanting my last act of defiance to end so easily, I forced myself up on one leg.

"I've said it once, and I'll say it again." I smiled as I gripped the vial of poison from the counter. "I'd rather be dead than stay by your side."

Bennett's face morphed into that of despair as he lunged forward to stop me. But it was too late. I swallowed the poison whole as everything went black.

...

Had I known what would have happened back then, then perhaps I would have done things differently. Seeing as nothing could have prepared me for what would happen next when I opened my eyes up.

The sound of a bell awoke me from my long and tiring slumber. I groggily rubbed my eyes before slowly sitting upright. That was strange. Looking down, I saw that I was lying on a stone counter decorated with gorgeous pink flowers.

From the looks of it, I was in a mausoleum of sorts. It was surprisingly spacious and well-lit from the looks of it. For me to end up here is... strange to put it lightly.

Not only was that strange, but my attire too. I was wearing what appeared to be a long white corset wedding dress. Fearing for the worst, I hastily pulled the dress up to reveal a bandaged leg.

I... didn't die? Which means I'm still in this world. Just as panic was about to set in, I was taken aback by an intruding voice.

"You're finally awake, my love. It's been so long!" Bennett gushed as he seized my lips.

No. He's still here? Not wanting to be in his hold for a second longer, I pushed him away. "What the hell. I thought I–"

"Died?" Bennett said cheerily as he cut me off. "I thought the same too. Luckily for us, you were only put into a coma."

Oh sure, now my terrible luck decides to save my life. Seriously, I wish it failed instead! Clutching my head painfully, I went to drop from the counter. "How long was I in a coma for?"

Bennett quickly came rushing to my side as he wrapped his arms around mine to support my balance. "About five years."

I felt my heart plummet. Five years??? I spent five years of my life in this world? No way, Bennett has been keeping watch over me for that long? I really shouldn't be all that surprised that he would attempt such a thing, but...

I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion. Shouldn't he be furious with me right now? He did say he'd kill me if I ever cheated on him. Sensing my apprehension, Bennett smiled as he brushed my arm.

"I know we left things in an... awkward place. But we can always come back to that later." Bennett was still clearly angry but tried to suppress it as he stroked my face. "Right now, we have more pressing matters to deal with."

I furrowed my brows in response. "Like what?" I asked rhetorically as I tried to dig my heels into the stone floor.

Bennett's eyes softened as he flashed me a grin. "Our wedding."