The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 32

**Title: One Step Changes Everything**
**By Ruby Parker**

The Sharps, a family entwined in secrets and shadows, sought the counsel of a mysterious seer, Mr. Twainborn, to avert the misfortune that loomed over them following the untimely death of their illegitimate son. The air was thick with tension as they gathered in the dimly lit parlor, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the walls. Mr. Twainborn, with his piercing gaze and enigmatic presence, declared that Florian’s spirit was consumed by rage and that only a union with a woman born under the dark alignment of Saturn could grant him peace.

The family, desperate to cleanse their name and restore harmony, embarked on a quest to find this fated bride. Their search led them to June, a woman shrouded in her own uncertainties, and they orchestrated a ghost marriage between her and Florian, whose spirit lingered in a state of unrest.

As Florian hovered in the ethereal realm, his presence was heavy, imbued with a palpable anger that seemed to darken the very air around him. “Where are you taking me now?” he groaned, his voice a low rumble filled with frustration. “I’m already dead! Why hasn’t the Grim Reaper come to collect me yet?” His tone was laced with sarcasm, but beneath it lay a deep-seated anguish that echoed through the void.

Venus, the oracle tasked with guiding him, exhaled a weary sigh. “You’re a vengeful spirit, Florian. Your heart is too laden with resentment to move on. First, we need to locate the marriage contract. Once we destroy it, this ghostly union with June will cease to exist.” Her voice was steady, yet there was a hint of sympathy for the tormented soul before her.

Florian’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. “Well, you did marry me, so that technically makes you my wife,” he quipped, a playful glint in his spectral eyes.

Venus was momentarily taken aback, her mind racing with the absurdity of the situation. If only he hadn’t met such a tragic end, she thought, she might have found the strength to slap some sense into him. “Do you know where the contract is?” she asked, trying to regain her composure.

Florian nodded, his expression shifting to one of determination. “It’s in the villa. They never bothered to take my belongings back to the main house.”

With that, the unlikely duo—one a living, breathing woman, the other a ghost trapped between worlds—made their way down the mountain. The villa loomed ahead, an empty shell echoing the sorrow of its past. Inside, the remnants of the funeral decorations lingered, untouched and steeped in a heavy, dark energy that clung to the air like a shroud.

Florian gestured toward his own memorial photo, a look of disdain crossing his face. “Who on earth chose this picture? I’ve had countless magazine shoots, and they went with my ID photo? My face looks like a full moon in this one!” His annoyance was palpable, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere.

Venus couldn’t help but respond dryly, “Is that really the issue at hand right now? Hurry up and find the marriage contract! I’ll go fetch June.”

As it turned out, June hadn’t strayed far. She was tucked away in the bushes outside the villa, her heart racing with anxiety. When she spotted Venus emerging unscathed, relief washed over her. “Ms. Oracle! Thank goodness you’re alright. I was so worried!” she exclaimed, rushing forward.

Venus quickly filled her in on the situation, explaining the urgent need to annul the ghost marriage. June listened intently, but her expression shifted to one of fear when she learned that Florian was present. “That ghost is here? I’m scared…” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Venus offered a reassuring smile. “You’re afraid of a ghost who is longing for someone else? When you think of it that way, it doesn’t sound so terrifying, does it? Ordinary ghosts are not so different from people; they simply lack a physical form. Florian may be filled with resentment, but he doesn’t even remember how he died. Trust me, he won’t harm you.”

With trepidation, June followed Venus into the villa, her heart pounding in her chest. “Are you ready for this?” Venus asked, her voice steady yet encouraging.

The weight of her memories crashed down upon her—years of sacrifice for her family, only to be bartered away for money. It shattered her spirit.

“When morning comes, you can call the police,” Venus said firmly. “They’ll lose everything, and that one million will be reclaimed.”

Before June could respond, Florian interjected, his tone urgent. “No. Don’t call the police. If the Sharps discover that the ghost marriage has failed, they’ll come after her family—and you too, sweetheart.”

Venus shot back, “I’m not your sweetheart. Stop calling me that.” Her frustration bubbled to the surface.

Florian’s expression turned serious. “The Sharps will do everything in their power to keep this under wraps. As long as everyone remains safe, that’s what truly matters. I won’t force you into this marriage.”

June fell silent, contemplation etched across her face. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady and resolute. “Ms. Oracle, I don’t want anything to do with my family anymore. If they find out I’m alive, they’ll drag me back and make me work for them forever—for my brother, for their comfort. I can’t do that anymore. Let them believe I’m dead. I’ll change my name and start anew somewhere far away.”

Venus respected her decision, understanding the weight behind it. Turning to Florian, she instructed him to retrieve some paper. Together—a living woman and a ghost—they penned a divorce letter, sealing it with their thumbprints, an act that would sever the ties binding them in the afterlife.