Unable to love
Chapter 1
Mike and I, we were practically born in the
same sandbox. He was always protective,
even when it was totally embarrassing. I
mean, he bought my first box of tampons, for
crying out loud, face redder than a tomato.
Then, college graduation hit, and Mike’s
family pissed off the wrong people. Lost
everything overnight.
I didn’t give a damn that he walked with a
limp after that, or that he was broke. I wanted
to marry him, period.
Everyone thought we were a match made in
heaven. Turns out, on our wedding day, he
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died trying to rescue my sister.
And the kicker? The next day, the wiring in
our honeymoon cottage went haywire, and I
was burned alive.
As the flames licked at me, I held Mike’s
ashes close, desperately trying to dial 911.
Then, bam! He was standing there, the
supposedly dead Mike, with my sister in his
arms, glaring at me. “You thought you could
trap me, huh?” he spat. “Me and your sister,
Sarah, we were together long before you
started batting your eyelashes. You used your
family’s power to force me to marry you just
because my folks lost their shirt, knowing it
would send Sarah over the edge? Think
again!”
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“Anything you could offer me, Sarah can too,
you know. Now, just sit back and enjoy the
fireworks, sweetheart!”
He then kicked over the urn, scattering his
fake ashes. Then, locked me in the room to
roast.
I died full of hate. Then I woke up. I was back
to the day I begged my dad to save his sorry
ass.
This time, I’d see who else was gonna give
him what he wanted, besides me.
1.
“Amy, are you sure you want to marry Mike?”
I’d just woken up and my dad’s worried
question hung in the air.
I struggled to open my eyes. There he was, Dad, sitting on the couch looking stressed. Mike was on the floor, all bruised and bloody.
I remembered this day. Mike’s parents were targeted by some goons, the family company went down the drain, and he’d barely escaped
with his life. My dad had brought him back to
our place.
And last time, I’d jumped at the chance and
asked to marry him.
“Amy?”
Mike’s rough voice, cold as ice, slithered into
my ears. It was like a jolt through my system,
and the hairs on the back of my neck stood
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up.
I’d never forget the way he’d looked at me as
I was burning.
Hearing his voice, I instinctively shrunk back
and sat closer to my dad.
“Dad…” I whispered, teeth clenched.
“I can’t do this.”
I looked up at my dad, my voice barely
audible. “You’ve known Mike forever, so it’s
up to us to help him out of a jam. Let’s not
force anything.”
Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought
Mike’s body stiffened, and he looked
shocked.
Last time, I’d gone along with my dad’s plans
and married Mike.
Mike needed a leg up, and he was willing to do whatever my dad wanted to get back on
his feet.
I thought we were in love. I thought he wanted
to marry me.
But my sister, Sarah, had tried to off herself
on our wedding day. Mike hadn’t hesitated to
run off, leaving me at the altar.
Next thing I knew, he was a pile of ashes in
my arms.
I was devastated, almost went with him.
Turns out, it was all a setup. He’d faked his death to get away with Sarah, and then they both made sure I was out of the picture.
I’d been so blinded by love I hadn’t seen a
thing.
Not this time.
Hearing my refusal, Dad looked relieved. He just told Mike to stay with us for a while, and
not to worry.
“Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Thank you, Amy.”
Mike’s tone was neutral. But his eyes were
glued to me, and it gave me the creeps.
I just nodded. As I was thinking of making my
excuses to get out of there a figure burst
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into the room and flew at Mike.
Mike and I both stared.
“Mike, honey, are you okay? I was so
worried!”
“I heard Amy’s acting foolish, trying to marry you. You didn’t say yes, did you?”
I couldn’t help it. I coughed, reminding her,
“Sis, Dad’s right here.”
Sarah finally seemed to realize it and blushed
at my dad, calling him “Uncle.”
My dad was flabbergasted. He’d never
suspected anything between those two.
I hadn’t either, or I wouldn’t have agreed to
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marry Mike.
Sarah was my stepsister.
She was my uncle’s adopted daughter. When he passed, she came to live with us.
My parents had been great to her, treated her
like their own. Even let her share my room.
She seemed so nice, helping me with my
homework and brushing my hair.
Then, I accidentally found a note she’d
written, full of hate and curses aimed at me.
It was like she was two different people.
I was too scared to say anything. I just saw
the hatred in her eyes and put up with it.
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Then, Mom found needles under my pillow.
That was the last straw.
Sarah was older, already in high school when I
was just starting middle school.
One time, Mike came over to help me with
homework. Sarah was back from boarding
school. They met briefly.
That was all it took. They hooked up behind
our backs, and it all led to me burning in the
cottage.
“Mr. Harrison, I’m sorry. Sarah and I have
been together for a while,” Mike said.
He grabbed Sarah’s hand and looked straight
at my dad and me.
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“Uncle, we didn’t want to keep it from you.
But you know how Amy feels about Mike. I
didn’t want to upset her.”
Sarah squeezed Mike’s hand back.
They were like some star–crossed lovers, ready to fight for their forbidden love.
Everyone was staring at me, waiting for me to
explode.
I’d always been possessive when it came to
Mike. I’d been stuck to his side like glue.
They knew I was head over heels in love with
Mike. I’d never let anyone get close to him.
If this had been my previous life, I would have
been devastated I’d have wanted Mike to
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explain himself.
But now, after everything, I just smiled and
clapped, cheering them on.
They looked at me, confused. I walked up to them, took their hands, and put them
together.
“Congratulations, Sarah, and Mike.”
Everyone was shocked. Sarah stared, then
asked, “You…you’re not mad?”
“Why would I be mad? I’m happy for you
guys.”
Mike frowned, his voice warning, “Don’t play
games.”
He knew I was crazy about him. He’d never
said anything, but he’d never turned me away
either.
If I’d known he didn’t feel the same, I wouldn’t
have chased after him.
I looked at them and smiled, trying to look
like an innocent girl, shaking my head.
Mike’s love was disgusting. I didn’t want it.
Besides, after the way he’d treated me last
time, I was out for revenge. Why would I try to
win him back?