2 Gritting my teeth , I pushed the pin in deeper . " You're the pathetic one , " I whispered , the words like acid . " You don't deserve to live . " That sterile , digital voice only ever spoke once per lifetime . I wished I could ask it , just once , why a monster like Caleb Vaughn des- erved happiness . He didn't . He deserved to die . His body slid to the floor , his eyes wide open , frozen in a mask of indignation . Screams finally erupted around me . People scrambled , knocking over chairs and tables in a chaotic rush for the exits . The world dissolved . When it reformed , I was standing in an airport terminal , the air thick with the murmur of a thousand convers- ations . In the distance , I saw him . Caleb , his face a thundercloud , flanked by two imposing bodyguards , stalking toward me . I had been reborn . This was the eighth life . 09:57 Chapter 1 This was the life I had finally accepted he would never love me , that he was a monster . I'd decided to leave the country to escape his torment . But he was a demon you couldn't outrun . He found me , dragged me back to a cellar , and pulled my hair until my scalp screamed . " You can never leave me , Ava . You'll die by my side , and nowhere else . " And I did . I starved to death in that darkness . Now , he was getting closer . I calmly reached up , my fingers closing around the hairpin in my hair . I watched him approach , my expr- ession a perfect blank . He spread his arms wide , a mocking , triumphant smile on his face . " Ava , Ava . Did you really think you could leave without my perm- ission ? Be a good girl and come home with me . If you do , I promise I'll go easy on you . " A faint smile touched my own lips . I said nothing . I just took a step forward , grabbed the front of his expensive silk tie , and with a motion that was becoming second nature , drove the pin into his throat . Blood sprayed across my face . Again . Aahh ! " Panic exploded around us . He clutched his neck , his eyes filled with genuine terror this time . I looked down at him as he collapsed , my voice flat . " You will never have the chance to hurt me again . Just die . " Caleb Vaughn choked on his own blood and lay still .