Love In Disguise: Rebirth of the Heiress
Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Chapter 76

I stared at Lucian as if he had grown two horns. "I die if the people that killed me in my past life don’t die?"

Lucian’s expression was unyielding, his glowing red eyes piercing through me. "It’s not that simple, Kiara. Their deaths alone won’t suffice. Revenge isn’t just about death. It’s about balance—restoring what was taken from you and setting the wrongs right and in this case you need to redeem and as well maybe...kill them."

Jason sighed beside me, rubbing his temple. "He’s right. It’s not a simple ’kill or be killed’ scenario. Trust me, I’ve tried to understand it, and even I can’t wrap my head around it sometimes."

I frowned, my heart pounding. "Okay, so what exactly does this have to do with people selling their souls? What’s going on in the underworld, Lucian?"

Lucian stepped forward, his presence commanding yet calm. "The underworld isn’t just a place of punishment or rest, as you might think. It’s a realm of balance. My family... our purpose was to manage the flow between the living and the dead, ensuring the gates stayed intact."

"And now?" I asked cautiously.

"Now, chaos reigns," Lucian said, his voice tight with anger. "Someone has disrupted that flow. Souls who were supposed to pass peacefully have been trapped. In desperation, they struck bargains."

"Bargains?" I echoed.

Lucian nodded. "They sold their lives in exchange for returning to the living world. Their existence here is borrowed, bound by their contract. But the price is steep. They’re given one purpose: revenge. Fulfilling it is the only way for them to remain here and avoid being dragged back to the void."

Jason crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "And if they fail?"

"They lose everything," Lucian said bluntly. "They’re erased. Not just from this world but from existence entirely. Their souls won’t move on to the next life. They’ll cease to exist."

I shivered. "So, these people... someone in the underworld brought them back?"

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "Not just anyone. A traitor. Someone who betrayed my family, killed them, and locked me out of my home. They’ve taken control of the gates and are exploiting desperate souls to sow chaos."

Jason muttered under his breath, "Great. So, the dead are here, selling their lives for a second chance at revenge, and we’re just supposed to clean up the mess?"

"It’s not just about cleaning up," Lucian said sharply. "The past and the future are colliding. People with two moons—like you and Kiara—are the key to unlocking the gates and restoring balance. But only if you succeed in fulfilling your purpose."

I shook my head, trying to process it all. "Wait. You said the past and the future are clashing? What does that even mean?"

Lucian’s gaze softened, as if he understood how overwhelming this was. "It means time is unraveling. People in the present are experiencing memories and events from the past. The dead are reliving their traumas, their unfinished business, and it’s bleeding into the living world."

Jason frowned, his tone skeptical. "So, what happens if we fail? If the marks fade and we don’t... fulfill our revenge?"

Lucian’s eyes glowed brighter, his voice dropping. "Then the gates of the underworld will remain locked. The dead will continue to spill into the living world, and reality as you know it will collapse."

"Fantastic," Jason muttered, throwing his hands up. "No pressure or anything."

I clenched my fists, my heart racing. "And you? What’s your role in all of this, Lucian?"

Lucian’s lips pressed into a thin line. "My role is to ensure the gates are restored and the balance is maintained. I’m here because I have no other choice."

Jason snorted. "Yeah, because your so-called family got wiped out, and now you’re stuck here with us mortals."

Lucian’s expression darkened, his voice icy. "Do not speak of my family like that."

Jason raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. Just trying to lighten the mood."

I shook my head, my frustration boiling over. "Enough with the riddles. Just tell me, Lucian, why do people like me and Jason matter so much? Apart from being reborn?"

Lucian’s gaze met mine, steady and unwavering. "Because the marks you bear are proof that your souls were chosen. You’re the only ones who can unlock the gates and restore order. But to do that, you must complete your purpose."

"And that purpose is revenge," I said flatly.

"Not just revenge," Lucian corrected. "Resolution. Balance. The deaths you must deliver aren’t just about punishment; they’re about restoring what was lost."

Jason leaned against the wall, his expression pensive. "So, let me get this straight. The world’s falling apart because of some traitor in the underworld, the dead are running around with revenge on their minds, and it’s up to us to fix it all by playing executioner?"

Lucian smirked faintly. "Something like that."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Great. Just great. And here I thought my life was finally starting to make sense."

Lucian stepped closer, his voice soft but firm. "You’re not alone in this, Kiara. Jason and I... we’re in this together."

I glanced at Jason, whose usual playful demeanor was absent. Instead, he looked at me with something close to determination.

"Well," I said, forcing a weak smile. "If we’re going to survive this mess, I guess I’d better start making a plan."

Lucian’s smirk widened. "Now you’re thinking like someone who wants to live."

Jason clapped his hands together. "Alright, team meeting over. Let’s figure out how we’re going to save the world, shall we?"

I rolled my eyes. "You’re impossible."

"And yet, here I am," Jason said with a wink.

As much as I hated to admit it, I was starting to think I might need their help after all.

Jason smirked, leaning back against the wall as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell about our entire existence. "So, what’s next, Kiara? Revenge shopping? Or are you finally ready to admit you need me?"

I shot him a glare, ignoring the way Lucian’s eyes seemed to linger on me, analyzing every movement. "What’s next is figuring out how to deal with Jessica and Gabriel without turning into the same kind of monsters they are."

Lucian tilted his head, his tone measured. "You still think you can play fair? That morality will save you?"

Jason snorted, crossing his arms. "She’s still clinging to the whole ’better person’ thing. Cute."

I ignored both of them, pacing the small space of my living room. "Jessica’s in deeper than I thought. She’s got connections to whoever’s pulling strings. And Gabriel..." I trailed off, clenching my fists. "Gabriel has always been the cowardly opportunist. If I can shake him, maybe I can unravel the whole mess."

Lucian’s voice was low and pointed. "And if you don’t?"

I froze mid-step, my eyes locking on him. "Then what?"

"Then the clock keeps ticking," he said simply. "Your mark isn’t just decoration, Kiara. Every day you hesitate is a day closer to your end."

Jason stepped forward, his smirk fading. "Lucian’s right. You don’t have the luxury of playing nice anymore. They betrayed you, Kiara. They took everything from you. What’s stopping you from taking it back?"

"Because I don’t want to become them!" I snapped, my voice echoing in the room.

The silence that followed was suffocating. Jason frowned, his smirk now completely gone, while Lucian’s expression remained unreadable.

"You won’t become them," Lucian said after a moment, his tone unexpectedly gentle. "You’re not doing this for greed or power. You’re doing it to survive. There’s a difference."

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "You’re both so eager to push me into becoming a murderer. Do you even care about what this is doing to me?"

Jason stepped closer, his expression softening. "Of course I care. But caring doesn’t change the fact that this is the hand you’ve been dealt. You can’t change the past, Kiara. All you can do is use it."

I looked at him, searching his face for some hint of reassurance. Instead, all I found was a reflection of my own turmoil.

Lucian broke the silence with a low chuckle. "You two make quite the pair. The reluctant avenger and the billionaire with a guilty conscience."

Jason shot him a glare. "Shut up, Lucian."

Lucian smirked but said nothing more.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Fine. I’ll start small. I’ll figure out what Gabriel and Jessica are hiding. If I can unravel their secrets, maybe I can find a way to take them down without..." I paused, my voice faltering.

"Without what?" Jason asked, his voice soft.

"Without losing myself," I said quietly.

Jason nodded, his gaze steady. "Then start digging. I’ll back you up if you need it."

"And I’ll keep an eye on the bigger picture," Lucian added, his tone surprisingly cooperative. "You’re not in this alone, Kiara. Whether you like it or not."

I glanced between them, feeling a strange mix of frustration and gratitude. "Fine. But don’t get in my way."

Jason grinned. "Wouldn’t dream of it."

Lucian simply nodded, his gaze sharp and assessing.

As they left, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of their words pressing down on me. The clock was ticking, and the world was waiting. If I didn’t act soon, it wouldn’t just be my life at stake—it would be everything.

I stared at the mark on my shoulder in the mirror, tracing its edges with a trembling finger. "What the hell have I gotten myself into?" I whispered.

No one answered, but the mark seemed to burn, a silent reminder of the choices I had yet to make.