The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 29

**Chapter 29: Wife, I’m Here**

Venus shook her head slowly, a flicker of concern crossing her face. “It’s too late now. Your birth chart must have already been inscribed in the ghost marriage contract. That’s why he can manifest near you. Just trust me on this—don’t fret.”

June locked eyes with her, the determination in her gaze unwavering. She clutched Venus’s hand tightly, her knuckles turning white. “Ms. Oracle, I’ll be waiting right outside. If you’re not out by sunrise, I will call the police!” Her voice was firm, laced with a mix of fear and resolve.

Venus offered a small, reassuring smile. “Deal.”

As they stepped out into the cool night air, June kept her head down, keenly aware of the potential eyes watching her.

Fortunately, it seemed that no one in the villa noticed her presence. The servants were busy, solely focused on escorting Venus toward the living room, oblivious to June’s anxious demeanor.

June lingered for a moment, her heart racing as she tried to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside. But Larry, with his authoritative tone, quickly dismissed her.

“Miss, you can leave now,” he commanded, his expression brooking no argument.

“Oh, okay.” June’s voice was barely above a whisper, a pang of unease gripping her. She longed to turn around for one last look, but the memory of Venus’s warning echoed in her mind. She forced herself to walk away, a chill creeping down her spine as if she could feel unseen eyes boring into her back.

Inside the villa, the handfasting ceremony commenced with an unsettling chant. “First knot. The blessing from the guests!”

Through the thin veil, Venus watched in horror as the servants lifted the lifeless body from the casket, positioning it upright beside her. They took her hand and placed it in the cold grip of the corpse, tying ribbons around their joined hands. Larry’s voice rang out again, “First knot. The blessing from the guests!”

They were compelling her to participate in a handfasting ceremony with a dead man. Was this really happening? In this day and age, such archaic rituals still persisted? It was utterly absurd.

“Second knot. The blessing from the parents!”

But there were no parents present, from either side. The atmosphere in the villa turned eerily quiet, the silence almost suffocating.

“Third knot. May Florian and June love each other forever!”

Venus bent slightly, only to feel a firm hand pressing her down harder.

“You need to bow lower than Mr. Florian!”

Her mind raced, and she was left speechless.

“Touch me again, and I swear I’m done.”

Larry frowned, irritation flashing across his face as he gestured to the servants. “Forget it. We don’t want to run late. Let’s put her in the casket.”

Venus blinked, feigning confusion. “Wait, I thought this was just a handfasting ceremony. Why do I have to lie in a casket?”

Larry’s voice turned icy, devoid of any warmth. “Didn’t your parents explain? The handfasting ceremony is merely the first step. As Mr. Florian’s wife, you are required to lie inside the coffin with him and remain there until he is properly buried. Only then will your duty be complete.”

Before June could utter a word in protest, two burly men rushed forward, their grip like iron as they seized her arms and unceremoniously shoved her into the coffin.

The lid slammed shut, and the sharp sound of nails being hammered from the outside echoed in her ears.

Trapped inside with her, Venus maintained her composure, though panic threatened to creep in.

So it was true—marrying a ghost meant being buried alive.

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