The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 50

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

**Chapter 50: Only Love Me**

“Exactly! Earl and his wife have been living separate lives for quite some time now, but you know how it is with celebrity culture; they have a legion of devoted fans who adore their ‘perfect couple’ image. His agency insists he maintains this façade of the ideal husband to safeguard his public persona and, of course, keep the revenue flowing,” Neoma explained, her voice dripping with sympathy. The corners of her mouth turned down as she continued, “Earl’s genuinely lonely. It’s heartbreaking. No one truly comprehends the depth of his struggle. He confided in me that I’m the most special girl he’s ever encountered, that I’ve awakened feelings in him he never knew existed.”

Venus remained silent, her expression unreadable.

Neoma’s eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and longing. “He’s just biding his time, waiting for the opportune moment to announce his divorce. He assures me that what we share is real love. He treats me so wonderfully,” she gushed, her enthusiasm palpable.

Venus broke her silence, her voice low and contemplative. “And what’s your take on all of this?”

Neoma leaned back, her gaze dreamy and distant. “I believe we are truly in love. He’s shown me what love is meant to feel like. Once we tie the knot, I’ll be the happiest woman alive,” she declared, her voice laced with hope.

Venus frowned, a shadow crossing her face. “If he genuinely loved you, why would he choose to keep you hidden? If your relationship can’t even see the light of day, can it really be called love?”

Neoma’s smile was condescending, as if she were indulging a child’s innocent musings. “I know you think I’m being naïve, that I should steer clear of a married man. But love doesn’t concern itself with who was there first. I never intended to be the other woman; I was simply there when he needed someone to lean on. He loves me, and I love him. Why shouldn’t I muster the courage to pursue my happiness?”

Venus maintained her composed demeanor, her words steady. “Love may not care about the order of things, but it certainly recognizes right from wrong. Do you grasp the implications for a public figure caught knowingly in an affair?”

Neoma’s expression soured, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. “The one who isn’t loved is the third wheel, isn’t that right? Besides, Earl has already assured me he will file for divorce by the year’s end. After that, we’ll be married.”

Unfazed, Venus offered a simple response, “Respect. Best of luck.”

Neoma blinked, her excitement momentarily dimmed. “Could you at least give me a reading? I’m eager to know what the future holds for Earl and me.”

Venus smiled faintly, her eyes distant. “I only connect with spirits, not soulmates.”

Still wearing a smile reminiscent of a lovestruck girl, Neoma insisted, “It doesn’t matter. I already believe we’re destined for happiness.”

“Anyway, the time is almost upon us. You should head to the guest room. I’ll stay in your bedroom and impersonate you,” Venus said, glancing at the clock on the wall.

“Huh?” Neoma hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. “You’re going to sleep in my bed? The one I share with Earl?”

Venus clarified, “No, I’ll just put on one of your coats and sit at your vanity. That should suffice.”

Neoma visibly relaxed, but then added awkwardly, “Not that I’m judging! I just have this, um, germ issue. I really don’t like the idea of strangers sleeping in my bed.”

Venus offered her a tight smile, but remained silent. It was amusing, really—disliking strangers in her bed yet completely fine with stepping into someone else’s marriage. The irony was rich.

Neoma handed her a coat, her hands trembling slightly.

Venus slipped it on and handed Neoma a protection sigil. “Keep this in your palm. No matter what you hear, don’t come out,” she instructed, her tone serious.

As the clock struck midnight, the world outside had succumbed to an eerie stillness.

But when she turned back to the mirror, the glass was filled to the brim with a grotesque, monstrous visage. Its eyes were bloodshot, and its mouth gaped wide enough to swallow her whole.

“You’re not my Mommy!” the poppet shrieked, its voice piercing through the silence like a knife.

Without hesitation, Venus slapped a sigil against the mirror’s surface.

The creature howled and twisted, but it wasn’t finished yet. With a surge of distorted energy, the spirit broke free, whipping itself out of the glass and racing upstairs in a blur of shadow.

Venus sprang to her feet, pursuing it. She caught a fleeting glimpse of the doll leaping back into its original vessel—the wooden poppet—before it vanished inside.

Perfect.

“Containment circle—activate.”

With a flick of her fingers toward the doorway, a red thread snapped up into the air, weaving several sigils into a tight ring around the offering table, resembling a web closing in on its prey.

Whoosh—

The spirit realized too late that it had stumbled into a trap. A gust of dark energy erupted from the poppet, hurling the red thread and sigils into disarray.

But Venus didn’t falter; her eyes were locked in, sharp and determined. With her left hand, she tightened the red thread. With her right, she brought her fingers together, index and middle forming a precise point, and launched a coin laced with binding energy straight down the line. The coin whistled through the air, aimed directly for the poppet’s wooden chest.