Chapter 6: Reclaimed by Love

“And if you didn’t?” He looked down, not answering. His jaw tightened.

I didn’t press. I knew—if he failed, he’d probably die for me again… My chest ached.

My eyes filled with tears. I curled up in his arms, feeling his heartbeat, and kissed his chin: “Thank you.” I sniffed.

Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for being willing to start over. I closed my eyes.

Time passed quietly. That woman made no move, acting all calm, every day, but I couldn’t relax. There were too many questions about her. She knew so much, seemed to have some kind of power, able to control everyone’s fate…

Early this morning, as soon as Carter left for the base, that woman came to find me. Honestly, her coming to see me was almost a relief. I sent the maid away and faced her calmly. She walked over, suddenly smiling. My stomach twisted.

“Lillian Monroe, it’s really you? You actually pulled off a body swap? This story’s a mess!”

I stared at her, confused: “Who are you?”

She leaned in. “Me? I’m your creator. If I wrote you, I can erase you.”

She smiled, pinching my chin: “I will get this story back on track. Carter’s just the sad second lead—he’s supposed to be obsessed with me, and I’ll never love him.”

I shoved her away, furious. My hands shook.

She just smirked: “Let me tell you your original ending.” She grinned, mean.

“The Monroe family gets framed, the whole family convicted. I go to Carter for help, and because he loves me so much, he agrees to everything.” She sounded proud.

“Guess what?” “Carter takes the fall for the Monroes, gets branded a criminal, dies alone, out on the road.”

“And by then, I’ve already married the main lead—Senator Dalton.” She sneered.

She… what is she saying… My head spun.

My hands dug into the edge of the table—how could she! I gritted my teeth.

“But now the story’s changed, so I’ll skip a few steps and put the blame right on Carter. Do you think he’ll come back today?” The other “Lillian” laughed, my own face twisted. “When he’s dead, I’ll kill you too. The story can still end my way! Hahaha! You’re just a fanfic heroine. How can you fight me, the author!”

What… what author! What fanfic! What’s the normal story! I couldn’t breathe.

Her laugh pushed me over the edge. I shouted: “I am myself! I was promised to Carter since I was a kid, and I’ll always be his wife!”

She looked through me.

“Lillian!” My brother kicked open the door, gun raised, shouting.

Ethan barreled in, breaking it up.

Then, more officers in tactical gear rushed in, fanned out, guns up. “Surrender and you’ll be fine!” Ethan raised his badge, “Resist and you’re done!”

They dropped their weapons.

“What… what’s happening!” The woman screamed, then suddenly drew a knife and lunged at me, her face twisted, eyes wild. “If I can’t change it, then we’ll die together!”

Sweat broke out on my palms. Carter said if the body dies, the soul inside will vanish. My hands shook.

Ethan shouted: “Lillian! Run!” His voice was sharp.

I gritted my teeth, grabbed a dropped baton, and charged at her, yelling: “Get out of my body!” I swung with everything I had.

Everything was chaos. I couldn’t see straight.

I tried to open my eyes and saw Ethan crying and shouting at me. But I no longer had the strength to answer. I felt cold all over. Beside me, the body I’d briefly inhabited lay still on the floor.

I… Have I come back… Everything faded.

“…Lillian! Lillian!” A familiar voice cut through the noise. Carter’s face appeared above me. He wore his uniform, hair tousled, blood on his shirt. Tears streaked down his face, falling into my hair. I tried to smile.

“Carter… you came…” I reached for him, but my fingers fell away. A bitter taste filled my mouth. I smiled weakly and mouthed the words. I did it, Carter. This time, I saved myself. My vision blurred.

I seemed to sleep forever, hearing someone call me. When I finally opened my eyes, I saw bright light, and not far away stood a woman in strange clothes, reaching out to me. Everything felt soft.

I walked toward her. She smiled gently: “Lillian, it’s time to wake up.” “Carter is waiting for you.” As she finished, her figure faded. Her words echoed.

When I opened my eyes again, the first person I saw was Mom, then Dad and Ethan, but Carter was nowhere in sight. My heart dropped.

Mom grabbed my hand, her eyes red: “You were out for so long, you scared me to death!” She squeezed my fingers.

I sat up, stunned: “Mom, you… know me?” My voice was shaky.

She wiped her tears: “Of course I do, silly girl, did you get confused from sleeping too much?” She laughed through her tears.

I looked around, but didn’t see Carter. I asked anxiously: “Where’s Carter? Where did he go?” Panic rose in my chest.

Ethan heard and flicked my forehead, teasing: “Aren’t you embarrassed? The first thing you do after waking up is look for your fiancé.” I blushed.

I… am not married yet? My mind reeled.

Dad yanked Ethan away, then said gently to Mom, “It’s good she’s awake.” Then he glared at Ethan, “Don’t bother your sister.” Ethan rolled his eyes.

After a lot of convincing, I finally got them to leave. I hurried to the mirror—my own face stared back, just as before. The relief was overwhelming; I almost didn’t recognize myself, but it was me. The girl I’d always been. I grinned.

The maid said I’d had a high fever and was out for days, and everyone was worried sick. So, have I… come back? I touched my cheek.

“When will General Ellison return?” The maid smiled: “Miss, Carter will be home in three days.” Three days felt like forever.

“In three days…” I cried with joy, laughing and sobbing at my desk. This time, I wasn’t forced out of my body. This time, we’ll meet again. I wiped my eyes.

On the day Carter returned, I went to the city gates early to greet him. The convoy rolled in, Carter at the front. Our eyes met, and my heart leapt. I felt like I was coming home for the first time in ages. My chest fluttered.

He got out, but before he could reach me, I ran and threw myself into his arms. Carter froze. Ethan tugged my sleeve, trying to shield us. “There are so many people, can’t you wait till you’re home to hug!” I didn’t care.

“Carter, hands off! My sister’s not married yet!” Ethan scowled.

Carter ignored him, wrapped his arm around my waist, and lifted me into his Jeep, then drove off fast. I leaned against his chest, feeling his heartbeat, real and steady. I felt safe.

He stopped at the Monroe house. I turned and wrapped my arms around his neck. He was afraid I’d fall and held me tight. I laughed.

“Didn’t you say men and women shouldn’t be so close? Not only did you take me riding in public, now you’re hugging me. What kind of manners are these?” I teased him.

I looked at him, rambling, but my eyes filled with tears. I couldn’t help it—the relief, the happiness, it was all too much. I wiped my face.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead, whispering: “Didn’t we already get married?” His breath was warm.

In that moment, joy flooded my heart—he hadn’t forgotten! He was still himself! I grinned.

I wiped my tears: “That didn’t count! That wasn’t me!” I laughed through my tears.

His eyes were red too, and he held me close, voice rough: “Just teasing. None of that counts. Heaven as witness, earth as matchmaker, sun and moon as proof—Lillian, you’ll always be my only wife.” He meant every word.

I laughed through my tears, grabbed his uniform and kissed him quick. Then, while he wasn’t looking, I jumped down. “It doesn’t count yet. I want you to say it again on our wedding day!” He laughed too.

Carter’s eyes were warm. He followed me up the steps. He smiled.

“As you wish, my wife! I’ll say it as many times as you want!” His voice was steady, full of promise.