After the Second Sunrise

As we headed to the casino, Chester sighed.

"I know. You were reborn, too."

I laughed, but there was no humor in it.

"Reborn or not, what difference does it make? Are you going to start playing favorites now?"

"I'm sorry," he murmured, almost inaudible.

I just shook my head, at a loss for words. "Chester, is that all you've got after all this time?"

Out of nowhere, he pulled me close and kissed me senselessly.

"Tania," he whispered, his forehead resting gently against mine, his voice a solemn vow, "I promise, this is the last time you'll have to go through anything like this.

"We're just hitting the casino, dropping some cash to get your sister out of trouble. You'll be okay.

"And after that, I'll make you my wife. I'll spend every day making it up to you."

I tried to smile, but my voice came out raspy.

"Chester, just one last question for you. Don't you see she's just playing us for attention?"

Chester paused, his eyes darting away from mine. "I... I don't know."

Not knowing, or just playing dumb?

Ridiculous.

They all knew her game, yet I was shoved into the line of fire once more.

...

The casino's VIP room was a world apart, dimly lit and muffled from the chaos outside by thick curtains.

A mountain of debt slips and contract copies lay scattered across the gambling table.

Juliana was a mess, tied to a couch by the window, her makeup ruined by tears, her eyes wild with fear and begging.

Seth bolted to her side, his voice shaking, "Juliana, are you okay?"

"Hey, no one said you two could talk," the casino manager cut in, snapping his fingers. His goons stepped up, blocking Seth.

"Cut the crap. Pay up, or we'll take payment out of her hide."

Chester's fists tightened. Through gritted teeth, he asked, "How much is she in for?"

"One billion dollars. It's all there in black and white, with your family's name on it. Not a penny less," said the manager, a cruel smile on his lips as he tapped the papers.

Seth gasped, "That much?"

They would never come up with that kind of money on the spot.

At that moment, something in Seth snapped.

He glanced from the damning pile of papers to me, a hint of madness creeping into his gaze.

"Tania, too, is a Larson girl. Can't she just take Juliana's place?"

I froze. In that instant, all eyes were on me.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Chester's voice rumbled low.

Seth scoffed as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "If Tania hadn't gone out of her way to shame Juliana, do you think she'd have stormed off to this place? Juliana's the innocent one here. It's only fair that Tania stays."

No sooner had he spoken than the casino manager chuckled. "Well, that's interesting. If she's a Larson, that works too. She looks healthy; her womb would sell for a higher price."

Chester's face twisted in anger. "Absolutely not!"

However, Juliana's cries tore through the room, "Chester... I can't die... please, you have to save me..."

Chester's resolve flickered. His hands balled into fists.

At last, he turned to me, his voice careful, almost pleading.

"Tania, you don't want to see your sister get hurt. Just stay put, okay? I'll go back, get the money, and I'll come for you as fast as I can."

It was as if my blood turned to ice, and a twisted smile, more grotesque than any sob, crept onto my face.

"Chester, are you serious? You're going to leave me here to take her back?"

In Chester's eyes, I saw a storm of guilt, struggle, and a conflict so profound it seemed bottomless.

"Tania," he whispered, "I'll come back for you. That's a promise."

Seth's frown was like a line etched in stone, his voice brooked no argument. "What's the big deal? You just have to wait for us to get the money together. Juliana's been waiting, so why can't you?"

Could Juliana hold out for a hero? What was left for me to hope for?

As the goons held me down, I clung to Chester's wrist with the last ounce of my strength.

"Chester, are you really going to stand by and watch me lose my womb again?!"

He reached out, as if to save me.

However, Juliana lunged, breaking his grasp and tearing my hand away.

"Chester, I was terrified! Let's just go home. I can't bear another second here!"

The conflict in his eyes vanished as he took Juliana's hand.

"I know it's not fair to you, but Juliana can't lose her chance at motherhood. She's always dreamed of having her child."

I could not help but smirk. "So, you sacrifice me instead?"

"You'll be okay," he said quickly, maybe to convince himself. "I'll get the money, and once you're out, we'll get married right away!"

The door slammed shut behind them, and the room fell silent once more.

The debt papers vanished from the table, replaced by two flutes of champagne.

I gestured, and the soldiers, disguised as thugs, respectfully backed away.

Any sign of my earlier vulnerability was gone, replaced by an icy resolve.

"Keep the plan moving," I commanded.

The soldier nodded, took the family ring I handed him, and crushed the chip that monitored vital signs.

The message–[Tania is dead]--would soon echo through the family ranks.

The casino manager toasted me with a knowing smile.

"Looking forward to working together, Lady Queen."

From that moment, Tania ceased to exist.

In her place stood a revenger, ready to strike fear into their hearts.