The Ghost She Became

CHAPTER 1 — The Night Her World Broke

The crisp sound of a slap shattered the silence.

Mirabel’s body hit the wall, her breath stolen from her lungs. Pain flared across her cheek, but the ache in her chest was worse. She looked up, vision blurred, just in time to see Kelvin’s face twisted with disgust.

Pictures scattered across the floor—images of her with strange men. Fake. Edited. Everyone would know that.

Everyone except the man she loved.

“You disgust me,” Kelvin spat. “Sleeping with different men behind my back? I should have known you were nothing but a—”

“Kelvin, stop…” Mirabel’s voice trembled. “I didn’t do this. It’s not me. Please—”

He shoved past her as if she were nothing but air.

And walked straight into Esther’s arms.

Mirabel’s step-sister wrapped herself around him without shame, gazing up at him like she owned him. Like she had finally gotten what she always wanted.

“Don’t worry, my love,” Esther whispered loudly enough for Mirabel to hear. “I’m here. I won’t betray you.”

Kelvin cupped Esther’s face gently—the same hands that had struck Mirabel moments ago.

Mirabel’s heart shattered.

“Mirabel is toxic,” Kelvin said coldly. “I was blind. You’re the woman I should have chosen.”

Esther smirked at Mirabel over Kelvin’s shoulder, a wicked triumph gleaming in her eyes.

And Mirabel understood.

This was planned.

Every bit of it.

When Kelvin left the room, locking the door behind him, Esther approached Mirabel with slow, confident steps.

“You’re done,” Esther whispered. “This is my life now. My man. My place. And you… you’re better off dead.”

Mirabel’s breath hitched.

“Esther… what are you doing?”

Before she could move, Esther grabbed her jaw, forcing her mouth open, and poured a burning liquid down her throat.

Mirabel choked, gasping as fire spread through her veins. Her vision dimmed. Her fingers clawed at the floor as her body weakened.

“I’ll kill you quietly,” Esther whispered. “And no one will care.”

The room blurred. The edges went black.

As Mirabel collapsed, a cold wind blew through the room, rattling the locked windows. The shadows shifted, thickening, twisting, forming the outline of something… someone.

A low growl echoed—deep, dangerous, and not human.

Esther froze, goosebumps racing across her skin as the air grew icy.

A pair of glowing silver eyes appeared in the darkness, staring directly at the dying girl on the floor.

Mirabel’s lips parted weakly.

“Help…”

The word barely escaped.

The silver eyes locked onto her.

Don’t die, a voice whispered through her mind.

Not yet.

Then the world went black.

But the last thing she felt was warm breath against her skin…

And the presence of someone powerful kneeling beside her.

Watching.

Claiming.

Choosing.

The enemy she would one day be bound to.

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