Temi_Gold_3475

In her previous life, Aria Song died with a secret in her heart—betrayed by her family and unclaimed by the man she loved. When she wakes up in the body of a fragile young woman trapped in a cold marriage to the city’s most feared tycoon, she realizes fate has given her a second chance.

But there’s a twist.

This isn’t her world. It's the world of a novel where her new husband, Xander Quinn, is destined to die as the villain—abandoned and unloved.

She was supposed to be a forgettable side character.

But not this time.

With her sharp wit, hidden strength, and knowledge of the future, Aria won’t let the story end the same way. Not for her. Not for him.

Even if the villain doesn’t want to be saved.

Until The Ice Melts

The fire was long dead, but the ashes still smoked.

Rael dragged Sari back into camp just before dusk. The sun bled behind him, casting an ominous glow on the trembling figure he hauled like a sack of betrayal. Her cloak was torn, her hands bound, and a streak of dried blood marred the side of her face.

The moment Aria laid eyes on her, the ground shifted beneath her feet. Her stomach lurched, a knot forming in her throat. She hadn't wanted to believe it. Even after the explosion, the chaos, and the fleeing silhouette, she had held on to the faintest hope that it wasn't Sari.

But here she was—alive. Caught. Broken.

Aria stepped forward, her boots crunching on gravel. Her voice was hoarse when she finally spoke. "Why?"

Sari lifted her head. One eye was swollen shut, the other filled with something unrecognizable—was it regret? Defiance? Sorrow?

"Because they promised me my family."

A hush fell around the small circle of soldiers. The confession hung in the air like frostbite.

"My mother," Sari rasped. "My brother. They said they were alive. That if I helped them, I'd get to see them again. I didn't want to believe it at first, but they had photos. They had voices. I thought maybe… just maybe…"

Aria clenched her fists. "You planted the signal beacon. You let them in."

Sari nodded slowly. "I didn't know they'd target the command tent. I didn't know it would kill anyone."

Sari's face crumbled, and she sank to her knees. "Then I deserve whatever comes next."

Kell stepped forward, hand already on the hilt of his blade. "Let me give it to her."

Kell stared at her. "She betrayed you. Betrayed all of us."

"She did. And she'll answer for it. But not like this. We're not executioners."

Kell didn't lower his blade. "You're soft."

"I'm not soft," Aria snapped. "I'm trying to hold onto what little humanity we have left."

Xander, watching from the shadows, finally stepped forward. His gaze lingered on Sari for a moment, then settled on Aria.

"Mercy isn't weakness," he said quietly. "Sometimes, it's defiance."

Aria gave him a small, weary nod. "Put her in the brig. She'll stand trial at dawn."

And as Sari was dragged away, something cracked in Aria's chest—not rage, not hate. Grief.

Because this war had taken many things from her.

But today, it had taken her oldest friend.

The Return of Fire