Fated to Burn, Destine to Rise

I remember Aia too well. At eighteen, she mocked me for being untouched at twenty-eight. At thirty-two, I saw her again—as Gio’s fiancée. My parents wanted him to lead the town, but only if he married me.

I fell for him instantly. After years of feeling nothing for men, I finally wanted someone—I wanted him. So when Aia fell ill and was declared dead, I won’t lie—I felt relieved. Nothing stood in my way anymore.

Except for one thing: my age.

He was twenty-five, I was forty—almost twice his age. But he said he’d try, that he’d risk everything for me. And I believed him. For five years, I thought he had learned to love me.

But now... Aia was back. Alive. Her parents called it a miracle. And worse—my husband acted as if he hadn’t known, as if he wasn’t part of this twisted game.

My hands clenched as he returned from the town meeting, his eyes fixed on Aia as if she were all that mattered. He didn’t look for me. Didn’t check on me—despite knowing I was set to give birth tonight.

As the town’s strongest witch, I had used my powers to prolong my pregnancy, ensuring my baby’s survival. But after what I overheard last night—after this—did it even matter?

“Babe, are you feeling okay? Your body’s trembling.”

Whispers sent chills down my spine. Silence filled the room as all eyes turned to me. The town’s most powerful people watched, waiting. They knew I was Gio’s wife—but they also knew Aia was the woman he was meant to marry before her supposed death.

“Missus, are you all right?” my apprentice asked.

I turned away, tears brimming in my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the sob that escaped when I heard what Gio said next—words he didn’t even bother hiding beneath the chatter of the guests.

“I missed you, babe. I’m so happy you’re alive… and back on your feet.”

“Oh, I missed you too,” Aia purred. “I just didn’t know you’d marry someone else.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, stepping back. I wanted to leave, but a voice stopped me.

“Mrs. Sotto, congratulations! You’re finally having a healthy baby!”

I turned to see my father’s old ward, a woman who had always been envious of me. She held the hand of a young child, no older than seven—her son.

“Finally, you’ll have one to catch up with mine,” she sneered.

I tried to walk away, but she grabbed my arm, making my stomach twist in pain.

“Come on,” she whispered, motioning toward the scene behind us. “Look at him. Your husband, holding another woman like she’s a rare jewel. And you? He didn’t even spare you a glance.”

“Let me go,” I muttered, barely able to breathe through the ache in my chest.

“Why?” she taunted, then suddenly shouted, “Gio! Kathleen’s jealous! Don’t do this to her!”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. I felt like I was suffocating.

I looked at Gio, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of guilt in his eyes. He let go of Aia, murmuring something to her. She rolled her eyes but smirked, satisfied.

He sighed as if he were being inconvenienced, then walked toward me, putting on that fake, practiced smile.

“Love…” he called softly.

I swallowed back the pain.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, his voice low enough for only me to hear. “I’m just happy she’s alive. That’s it. You’re the one I love.”

Liar.

He pulled me away from the crowd and into a quieter space.

“Love, don’t be upset,” he said, wiping my tears away. He looked perfect—his eyes shining, his posture confident. But I knew better. He had only dressed up like this for Aia’s return. As if he hadn’t known all along that she was alive.

“Our baby will be here tonight, right? Healthy and strong. Don’t let your emotions ruin this.”

I bit my lip, shaking my head. I wanted to tell him my plan—to lie and say our baby had died before birth. But I knew better. If he thought the baby was gone, he’d offer me to the monster right away. I needed time. I needed a chance to make my own deal.

“I won’t cry anymore,” I whispered. “But I’m hurting.”

He pulled me into his arms, humming softly.

“Don’t be, love. You’re my wife. You’re the mother of my child. You’re the only beautiful woman I know.”

It burned. Every word was a lie.

“Let’s go inside. You need to rest.”

He led me to our room, but when he left, I followed him. Quiet. Careful.

He entered his secret chamber, the one I was never allowed inside. I held my breath and peered through the gap in the door.

And I saw him kneel before Aia.

He kissed her bare knee, his fingers trailing up her exposed skin. One by one, he unbuttoned his shirt, discarding it like a burden. Like a man about to worship the only woman he truly loved.

“She’s dying tonight, right?” Aia asked, her voice a seductive whisper.

“Mmm… for sure,” Gio murmured. “And the baby too.”

Aia giggled. “Then let’s make our own babies while we wait.”

I couldn’t breathe. I pressed my fingers into my palm, pinching my cheek to keep myself from breaking down.

I had married a traitor. A monster in disguise.

But I wouldn’t let him win.

I wouldn’t die. And neither would my baby.