After My Death, I Became His Queen.

Chapter-5

The party continued around us, loud enough to make conversation difficult, but I barely noticed the music anymore.

Claire was still standing beside me with that polished smile on her face, the kind that looked pleasant from a distance and cruel when you paid attention. I remembered that smile. I remembered how easily it had turned into laughter when my dress was covered in wine.

This time, I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.

She glanced toward Adrian and then back at me. "You seem different than what adrian told us."

I lifted my glass of sparkling water. "Do I?"

"Yes. The last time Adrian mentioned you, you sounded rather shy."

I almost smiled. The last time? Adrian had apparently been talking about me to his friends long before I realized how little respect they had for me.

"I'm not shy," I said. "I simply don't have much to say around people I don't know."

Claire tilted her head. "And now?"

"Now I know you a little better."

Her smile became thinner.

Adrian, who had been speaking to one of his friends a few feet away, glanced in our direction. I could tell he was listening. Let him listen. I wasn't going to hide anymore.

Claire lifted her wineglass and looked at my dress. "It's pretty. Very simple."

"Thank you."

"I thought Adrian would prefer something more elegant for a night like this."

I looked down at myself and then back at her. "He chose it?"

"No."

"Then I suppose his opinion isn't particularly relevant."

For a second, Claire looked genuinely stunned.

Adrian turned around. "Hannah."

I met his eyes. "Yes?"

His expression warned me to be careful. I knew that look too. It was the look he used whenever he wanted me to remember my place. Except I had spent five years learning that the place he wanted me to occupy was never going to be enough.

I smiled politely and turned back to Claire. She seemed determined not to let the conversation end there.

"You should meet everyone properly. There are some people here Adrian is very close to."

"I'm sure I'll get the chance."

She stepped closer but I walked away before she could respond.

I could feel Adrian following me with his eyes. I headed toward the balcony, needing a moment away from the crowded room. The city stretched beneath the building, thousands of lights shining against the darkness. I rested my hands against the railing and took a slow breath.

In my first life, I had spent that same night crying on this balcony. I had waited for Adrian to come after me. He never did. I remembered how stupid I had felt when I finally left alone.

Tonight, I was standing in the same place without the slightest desire to cry. The balcony door opened behind me. I didn't need to turn around.

"You embarrassed me."

Adrian.

I stared at the city. "I didn't realize I was responsible for your embarrassment."

"Claire was trying to be friendly."

"So was I."

"You know what I mean."

I finally turned around. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his expression tense. "You've been acting strangely since this afternoon."

"I've been acting normally."

"No, you haven't."

I raised an eyebrow. "How would you know? You barely noticed me in my first life."

The words almost escaped me. I caught myself.

Adrian stared at me. "What did you say?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

He stepped closer. "You said something about your first life."

"I said you barely noticed me before."

He studied my face. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then his expression softened slightly.

"Hannah, if something is bothering you, you can tell me."

The concern in his voice would have fooled me once. It almost did now. Almost.

"I'll tell you when I understand it myself."

He frowned. "What does that mean?"

"It means I don't want to discuss it." I turned back toward the city.

Behind him, the door opened again. One of Adrian's friends called his name.

"Adrian, come inside. We're about to start the game."

Adrian didn't move.

"Go," I said.

He hesitated. "You'll be okay?"

I smiled without looking at him. "I'll survive."

He finally left. I waited until the balcony door closed behind him before letting out the breath I'd been holding.

I hated how easily a few concerned words could bring back memories. But I reminded myself why I was here. I wasn't trying to win Adrian back. I was trying to understand why I had died.

There had been something they were desperate to keep from me. Something important enough to kill me over. And I intended to find it.

The balcony door opened once more. I expected Adrian. Instead, Claire walked out. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it.

"why are you alone, where is adrian?"

I looked at her. "Just wanted some fresh air."

"You weren't like this before."

"Before?"

"Before the proposal."

A strange calm settled over me. "You seem to know quite a lot about me and adrian."

She shrugged. "Everyone knows."

I laughed softly. "Apparently."

She walked toward me. "You should be careful, Hannah."

"Is that a threat?"

"No. Advice." She stopped beside me and looked over the city. "Adrian gets tired of women who make things difficult."

I looked at her. "And yet he seems to enjoy keeping you around."

Her face changed. Only for a second. But I saw it. So Claire wasn't simply Adrian's friend.Interesting.

"You misunderstand our relationship," she said.

"Maybe." I smiled. "But I don't think I do."

She looked away. Then she lifted her wineglass.

"You should learn when to leave a room."

I remembered those exact words. She had said something similar before I left that night.

Only then, I had listened. This time, I stepped closer. "I think you should learn when to stop talking."

Her eyes narrowed. For several seconds, we simply stared at each other. Then she smiled. "Enjoy tonight." She walked back inside.

I remained on the balcony. Something was wrong.

I could feel it. Claire hadn't come outside to apologize. She had come to test me.

I returned inside. The atmosphere had changed. Adrian and his friends were gathered around a large table, several bottles arranged across it. Claire had already taken her seat beside him.

One of the men waved me over. "Hannah, Come join us."

I walked toward them. Adrian looked surprised. "You want to play?"

"Why not?"

A few people exchanged glances.

Claire smiled. "Are you sure? It's not exactly a game for beginners."

I pulled out the chair opposite her. "I learn quickly."

Someone laughed.

Adrian's mouth twitched. "Fine."

The game began. It was harmless at first. Questions, challenges, laughter. Nothing that mattered.

Until Claire's turn came. She looked directly at me. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

She leaned back. "What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done in front of Adrian?"

A few people laughed. I felt the old Hannah rise inside me for one painful second.

She would have lowered her head. She would have become uncomfortable. She would have begged Adrian with her eyes to change the subject.

I did none of those things. Instead, I looked at Claire. "The most embarrassing thing I've ever done?"

"Yes."

I pretended to think. "Accepting him before understanding him."

Silence. Someone coughed.

Adrian's expression hardened. Claire stared at me.

Then I smiled. "But fortunately, people learn from their mistakes."

Adrian's fingers tightened around his glass. The game continued, but the mood had shifted. A few minutes later, someone suggested another round of drinks.

A server began placing wineglasses on the table.

I didn't touch mine. Claire noticed. "You really won't drink?"

"No."

She picked up her glass. "Not even tonight?"

"No."

She shrugged. "Your choice."

I watched her. There was something about the way she said it that made my instincts sharpen.

She reached for her wine. Then, almost casually, she extended her other hand toward the glass in front of me.

"I'll give you mine. It's sweeter."

I moved my hand away. "No, thank you."

Her smile faltered. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Adrian glanced between us. "Leave her alone, Claire."

Claire laughed. "I was only being friendly."

I looked at the wineglass she had tried to hand me. In my previous life, I had drunk from a glass Claire offered me that evening. I had felt dizzy later. I had blamed it on exhaustion.

Now, the memory returned with frightening clarity.

My gaze moved from the glass to Claire. Then to Adrian.

I slowly pushed the wineglass away. Claire watched me. I smiled. This time, I wasn't afraid. Because suddenly, the past wasn't only a source of pain. It was evidence. And I had five years of memories they didn't know I possessed. I stood from the table.

Adrian immediately looked at me. "Where are you going?"

"Home."

His eyebrows drew together. "Already?"

"Yes."

"But the party isn't over."

I picked up my bag. "I know."

Claire smiled at adrian. "let her go if she isn't comfortable with us."

I looked at her. "Oh, yeah."

Her smile disappeared.

I walked toward the door. Adrian followed me. "Hannah, wait."

I stopped. He came closer. "Let me drive you."

I looked at him for a long moment. Then I smiled. "No."

His expression hardened. "Why?"

"Because I don't want you to." I opened the door.

He caught it before I could leave. "Hannah."

I looked up at him something unfamiliar was in his eyes, Something uncertain. He couldn't understand me anymore. And that was exactly what I wanted.

"Goodnight, Adrian." I walked away before he could answer.

As the elevator doors closed between us, I caught one last glimpse of his face. He looked almost worried.

I smiled to myself. Let him worry.