Chapter 1

It was late 2044, and I was in my fifties, counting down my final moments.

Breast cancer had ravaged my body. My husband, Jared Holcomb, was desperately trying to save me, rushing to find the best doctors. But I was done fighting. I’d stopped eating for three days, not even taking a sip of water.

We’d been married for thirty years, but I couldn’t stand the thought of laying eyes on him one last time.

In the hospice room, I lay dying, my eyes tightly closed. Suddenly, familiar footsteps grew louder–Jared and our daughter, Yvonne, were approaching my bedside.

The doctor’s voice was heavy. “She’s stopped eating. You don’t have much time left.”

A thick silence filled the room. My remaining consciousness was fading, bit by bit.

Then I heard Yvonne whisper, her voice deliberately low, “Mom’s about to pass. When are you going to marry Tracy?”

Jared paused before responding, “We’ll see. Let’s get the funeral over with first.”

Yvonne sighed, “Mom wasted her entire life. I never understood what she was holding onto. She should’ve divorced years ago. All that stress just ate her alive.”

My heart felt like it was drowning in bitterness. The reason I’d stayed married was so simple–I wanted Yvonne to grow up in an intact family. I didn’t want her to deal with in–law drama when she got married someday.

Now, my stubborn persistence felt like one pathetic, cruel joke. Whatever, I was about to leave this world that had torn my heart to shreds. Finally, I’d be free.

“Quiet as she seems, she’s always been stubborn,” Jared muttered, his voice dripping with contempt. “It destroyed everything, including herself.”

What a sharp way to sum up my life.

real status. Finally, she’s gonna get what she

I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her,” Jared

my face, uncontrollable. So, my years of sacrifice meant nothing to them. They only cared

bell, like it was ringing far off in the distance. Exhaustion crashed over me, and I

a bright, blinding light sliced through

mom’s scolding voice drifted in. “Victoria, still sleeping? Yvonne’s gonna be out of

window, was my mom–who’d been gone for years–gathering up the curtains. Outside, the sun blazed bright, and

again? I’ve told you not to mess up your sleep. I’m still waiting

1/3

Chapter

I grabbed her hand, felt its warmth, and clung to it like it was my

crazy dream? You said you were bored and asked

2014, Mom had taken some time off, and I’d had the driver bring her from our hometown to Hachester,

for supper, and I need to fire up that salmon before he walks in.” She spun on her heel and clattered

This was the villa Jared had bought after we got married. It was 2014, and Yvonne

the eldest son, he’d been running the company pretty well–everyone always said I’d

my skin, and I wondered–had I time–traveled? Did fate take pity on me, seeing how I’d wasted my first life? Was this

of guys were playing tennis on the community court, that easy, carefree vibe of being young just

I let out a laugh. It seemed all those prayers at the

worked.

stay–at–home mom, I’d now be heading

off. Yvonne was my kid, but picking her up wasn’t just my job. I pulled out my phone

young, crisp voice answered, “What’s up? You on your way to get

flopped back onto the couch, feigning a weak tone. “Ugh, my stomach’s been acting up. Can

“I’ve got a meeting. Can

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255