Two Chances,One Bullet: How His "Next Life" Promise Failed Novel

Chapter 1 My father adopted two orphan brothers as bodyguards for my sister and me . [] The older one was tall and strong - fell for my sister at first sight . [ ] That left me with his " autistic " little brother . [ ] I didn't want Ethan sent back to the orphanage to get bullied , so I just accepted it . [ ] He wouldn't talk , so I dragged him to the best psychiatrists in the country . [ ] Spent two hours every day telling him jokes , even though he never responded .

] He couldn't protect me , so I learned martial arts myself and begged Dad not to send him away . I thought he was just traumatized . That with enough patience , he'd get better . ] Until the cruise ship capsized . [ ] He ripped the last life jacket right off my body . [] First words he ever said to me : [] " Sorry , but Madison's life jacket is broken . " [ ] Madison - that's my sister . [ ] He watched me sink into the ocean , squeezing my hand one last time : ] " I failed you in this life .

I'll make it up to you in the next . " Huh . Turns out his autism was just an act . Only around me . [ ] When I opened my eyes again , I was back to the day we chose our bodyguards . ] 0 I froze in my father's office , staring at the two brothers . [ ] Madison glanced at me and bit her lip . " Actually , I'll take Ethan . Ava should have Jason . She needs the stronger protector . " She stepped away from Jason's hulking frame toward his younger brother . ] Jason's face fell instantly .

[ ] 1 stayed frozen , processing this twisted déjà vu Last time around , I'd fallen hard for Madison's Oscar worthy performance . [] When she'd offered to switch bodyguards , I actually thought she was being selfless trying to give me the " better " option [ ] Right until our yacht sank . [] Chapter 1 Madison had wept prettily as they strapped my life vest onto her - never mind that Jason was a certified lifeguard , or that there was a damn lifebuoy floating right beside her .

Classic Madison . All performative resistance , zero actual sacrifice . ] But this time , I shrugged . " Fine by me . " [] Madison paled . She'd been so sure I'd say no . Ethan stared at me too , his eyes filled with confusion and shock . " Absolutely not ! " Dad cut in . [ ] " You're the Blackwood heiress . Your safety is what matters most . This boy has severe autism - he can barely function , let alone protect you . " I smiled . So he'd known about Ethan's condition all along .

But he'd still brought the younger brother here for us to " choose " from . This whole selection process was just for show . " But maybe- " Madison quietly exhaled in relief , dabbing at her eyes as she started to speak , but Ethan interrupted : " I can talk . " ] My head jerked up in shock . ] Ethan - the guy who hadn't said a word to me in seven years - was actually talking now ?

] When our eyes met , I saw that calculating look - too mature for his age - and I finally knew for certain : [ ] He'd been reborn too . So much for his dying promise to " make it right . " Even with a second chance , he was still trying to ditch me , huh ? Little did he know - I'd already written him out of my story . [] " My combat skills can be tested , " Ethan continued smoothly . [ ] Oh , I bet he could .

After I died , my spirit had watched him fight off sharks with nothing but a broken spear , keeping Madison alive until rescue arrived . How pathetic that I'd spent my past life learning martial arts , terrified Dad would send this " helpless " little bodyguard back to the orphanage . [ ] Sure enough , once Ethan stopped pretending , it took him exactly three moves to put our nationally - ranked trainer flat on his ass . Dad's resolve began to crumble .

[ The disappointed expression on Madison's face completely vanished . ] Between the brothers , Ethan had always been the more handsome one . If not for the autism , Madison would've chosen him from the start Chapter 1 " Fine then . Ethan will serve you , and Jason , I'm entrusting you with Ava . " Hearing that , Jason shot me a look , his gaze lingering on the scar across my cheek with obvious disgust . Then he dropped to his knees . [] " Sir , I'd rather return to foster care ! "