Never Again His Salvation

Sterling Novak was the sole heir of the Novak crime family, but he harbored a secret he refused to admit.

Since childhood, Sterling had suffered from a rare genetic disorder that rendered him incapable of physical intimacy—a curse that could only be broken by one specific woman.

To secure the bloodline, the family had groomed four potential brides for him, raising them on the estate since they were children for him to choose from upon coming of age.

In my past life, I was the only antidote, the one woman capable of stirring a physical response in him.

After our marriage, his health saw a miraculous recovery, and I successfully gave birth to the heir.

The family promised that this child would be the future Don.

But on the night of our son's baptism, Sterling imprisoned me and our son in a remote safe house.

He’d told me coldly, "If not for a cruel twist of fate, Scarlett would be my wife, not you."

He believed Scarlett, in her pure innocence, had awakened his soul, while I had merely ensnared his body with some sort of witchcraft.

He was convinced I was the one who drove Scarlett to suicide, fueled by her supposed “depression.”

He even suspected that our child was a bastard I had conceived with another Soldato just to secure my position.

"A woman like you, who would do anything to claw her way to the top… Your own child is just another filthy bargaining chip."

He wanted me and our son to join Scarlett in the grave.

The deranged Sterling pressed his hands over our newborn son’s mouth and nose, smothering him.

I fought desperately, but he shot me through the knee.

I watched helplessly as my child’s last breath slipped away.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Sterling was to choose his bride.

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1

I stood in the familiar grand hall of the Novak family estate.

The family’s matriarch, Donna Cassandra, was scrutinizing each of the girls in turn.

A tremor ran through me; the knee he’d shot in my past life throbbed with a phantom ache.

I hadn’t died. I was back.

Sterling Novak had been frail since birth, and the family had consulted every specialist imaginable.

But his body remained weak, and many predicted he wouldn't live past twenty-five.

And now, his twenty-fifth birthday was less than a year away.

In my past life, I was indeed his antidote, curing his illness and even bearing him an heir.

I had to do something, or I would be trapped in this nightmarish cycle all over again.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Sterling cut me off before I could utter a word.

"What century is this, Mamma? I'll choose who I love."

As he spoke, he strode toward Scarlett Thorne, who stood in the corner, and took her hand.

Scarlett gazed at him, her eyes brimming with adoration and her cheeks flushed, but one hand unconsciously clenched her handbag.

I stared at Sterling in astonishment.

In my past life, he hadn’t protested at this moment, simply accepting the family's arrangement.

Could it be? Was he reborn, too?

Cassandra quickly tried to reason with him. "Sterling, this is madness! Your health is all that matters!"

"Only the fated one can save your life!"

But Sterling’s resolve was firm as he held Scarlett's hand tighter.

"Mamma, it’s nothing serious. Just a few minor issues. Besides, Scarlett found an ancient formula from Eastern Europe."

The family's elderly advisor suddenly trembled, his withered face flushing. The needle of the ancient compass in his hand spun wildly, finally pointing directly at me.

The old advisor's voice quivered with excitement.

"It's her! The blood of the fated one flows in her veins."

As soon as he finished, Donna Cassandra strode forward and seized my hand.

"Wonderful! A miracle! Sterling can be saved."

I fought the urge to snatch my hand away as bile rose in my throat.

Sterling shot me a look of pure disgust, then turned to Scarlett, his gaze softening instantly.

"I don't care about some 'fated one.' Scarlett has already given me the best medicine."

"These past few days... I've already started to feel better."

His voice carried the raspy quality of his illness, but the determination in it was unmistakable.

Tears welled in Scarlett's eyes, and she pressed herself against his shoulder.

"Oh, Sterling… I knew you wouldn't let me down. Don't worry, I paid a great price for that formula. It's guaranteed to cure you."

He held Scarlett's hand tenderly and promised, "Don't worry, Scarlett. You will be my only wife. The Novak bloodline will continue through you."

Seeing her son so resolute and her own words falling on deaf ears, Cassandra could only nod in defeat.

"Fine. If you insist."

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Whether Sterling was reborn or not, escaping a marriage to him was the best possible outcome.

I could finally leave this Novak hell and start my life over.