Lina didn't know why she wanted to go to the Temple of the Favored. When she walked out of the car in her long dress, the wind was crisp. It picked up the materials of her dress, sending it fluttering. There was no one in sight. It was well into the night and the place was closed to visitors and tourists.

  Lina realized her white gown could be a wedding dress. The cut and layers would be perfect for one. All she needed was a veil and bouquet.

  Wordlessly, Lina raised her head to look at the ten floor temple. It was beautiful, with pillars of red, forest green windows, golden panels, and a curved rooftop. She heard the temple was blinding when the sunlight rose over it.

  Lina felt warmth draping over her shoulders…… When she looked, she realized it was Kaden's overcoat. He wrapped it around her tightly, kissed her on the top of the head, and offered her an understanding smile.

  "Thank you," Lina gratefully told him.

  Lina remained standing, even when her feet hurt from her heels. She couldn't help but want to come here for peace and silence. That, and the temple was too beautiful to not be admired.

  "That old man is Atlantis' grandfather," Lina began.

  Kaden hummed in response.

  "He claimed I'm fated to two people. Two men," Lina continued. "I think Atlantis is one of them. You're the other. He knows I've lived two lifetimes before this one. He even claimed this one will end in tragedy because yet again I have chosen the wrong lover. Then, he implied my grandfather and father know I've lived across two lifetimes before this."

  Kaden's brows shot up in disbelief. That was no regular old man. There wasn't a single human who knew that much information. Not unless they dabbled with the Heavenly realm.

  "I don't want to believe him," Lina said. "I've chosen the right lover. I'm certain of it."

  Lina had doubts. She couldn't forget the bloody wedding. She was at an empty altar, with tears streaming down her face. Her dress was battered and bloody. What exactly happened? What were the events leading up to that?

  "We want what we can't have," Kaden simply told her.

  Lina withdrew from him. She was horrified by his words.

  "In this love story, I am not the male lead," Kaden softly said to her. There was anguish and anger in his tone. "I am the villain, dove."

  "What?" Lina whispered.

  "Believe him," Kaden said to her. "Believe all that he has said."

  Lina's breath was caught in her throat. "Then—"

  "I shouldn't have been your fated husband," Kaden told her in a low voice. "You did not belong to me. You belonged to another."

  Lina was visibly shaken up. Suddenly, she felt her ring finger beginning to burn. When she looked down, there was nothing on it. Nothing. Not even a wedding ring.

  "I am the villain who keeps you from your true fated lover. The villain who tricks the innocent heroine," Kaden said to her.

  Kaden cupped the side of her face. Damn this world. Damn everything. Lina leaned into his touch. It was on instinct. He couldn't breathe. What was this emotion? He told her the truth and she still loved him. His fingers curled.

  "I should have a bullet between my eyes," Kaden lightly told her, like it was no big matter. "I've stolen you from your fated lover. And the gods have punished me for it."

  Lina was beginning to understand the bigger picture now. When she jumped into that purple whirlpool and red threads came out, destiny was confused. She had forged her own path with a different man from her fated one.

  Lina wondered why. She wondered what influenced her to choose another man. Was she always like this? Did she always hate people making the decision for her? Was that why she chose Kaden?

  "Is that why I keep on dying?" Lina mused.

  "Yes." Kaden took this matter seriously.

  "Each time your heart has chosen the wrong lover, the gods punish me with your death." Kaden pointed at her heart. He could hear it skip quickly.

  "Why is it you who's suffering from the punishments?" Lina asked.

  "Because it will never be you."

  Favored girl.

  The old man had called her that. Now, Lina knew why. She understood her purpose. Even in the dream, someone had called her a Princess. If she was the Princess, who was her father, the King?

  "He nicknamed me 'favored girl,' what does that mean?" Lina asked him. "Is it because—"

  "There are some things in life you're better off not knowing, for now," Kaden said. "Focus on the heir race. The rest can come afterward."

  Lina wasn't sure if she liked that. She knew she'd be burdened with the truth. Thus, she held back a sigh.

  "Then am I going to die in this life?" Lina asked him.

  Lina wasn't afraid of death. She was afraid of a painful one. She had always wondered what came after death.

  Kaden's expression grew dim. His arm snaked around her body. He'd dare the Heavens to take her from him again. This time, he was ready to take her back.

  "No. Never," Kaden swore. "As long as I live, you shall too."

  "You're immortal," Lina said. "That is quite the promise."

  Kaden wryly smiled. His features flashed with determination. Who'd dare to take her from him? Who in this world would be more eligible to stand by her side? This time, before her fate took a step, Kaden would be five steps ahead. He was no longer going to let her slip from his hands.

  "I'll hold you to it then," Lina told him.

  Lina stepped closer to him. She didn't care if she had chosen the wrong one. She didn't even think there was right or wrong. The truth laid in her heart. It laid in who she truly loved. Destiny could be damned.

  Lina made up her mind. She refused to change it. In all her lifetimes, Kaden had treated her well. Now, it was her turn.

  "In this story, the villain and heroine will live happily ever after," Kaden said.

  Kaden pulled back enough to reach into his pocket. Then, he pulled out a wedding ring. Her breath caught in her throat. It was an enormous oval ruby ring, encrusted with teardrop diamonds with small petals of round-cut pink diamonds, resting on 18-carat white gold. The ruby was half of the width of her finger.

  "Marry me Lina, and the entire world can be damned," he said.