chapter 2

I stared at him, so done with the whole scene I didn't even bother responding.

What the hell does any of this have to do with him?

In our previous life, Nathaniel and I had gotten married not long after college.

Back then, those early months had been nothing but sugar and sunshine.

Nathaniel had scored a position as a designer at the town's top ad agency—polished office, big clients, the works.

I'd passed the teaching exam and started at the local elementary school. Chalk dust on my fingers, laughter echoing down hallways. It was simple, and it was enough.

One house. Two people. Three meals a day. Four seasons turning one after the other.

That was the life I'd longed for—quiet, grounded, ours.

But slowly, Nathaniel grew restless.

"This life is too plain. You live it once, and you already know how it ends. There's no thrill, no push.

"Selene, I didn't get married just to coast. I wanted us to chase something together, not just survive like this.

"I'm gonna trade stocks. Once I hit it big, we'll buy a villa. I'll get another one for my parents. No more squeezing into this shoebox."

Night after night, lying in bed, he'd whisper his vision like it was gospel. Eyes bright. Hands gesturing. Voice wrapped in dreams.

But the market doesn't care about dreams. One wrong move and it'll gut you.

He only saw the payouts. He ignored the danger.

Any time I tried to reason with him, to get him to slow down, he'd shut me down flat.

"Selene, there you go again dousing my enthusiasm. You've got no foresight at all. You think too small.

"My mind's made up. I don't need your opinion."

Nathaniel dug in. His parents clung to his ambition like it was prophecy. They swore he was gifted. They believed wealth was right around the corner.

And me? I gave up trying to stop them. I went along for the ride.

He lost everything. Every cent we'd saved. Then he kept going—straight into debt.

Millions.

His parents pinned it on me. Said I cursed him. Said I dragged him down.

And Nathaniel? He skipped town. Left me to face it alone.

I sold the house and took three jobs. I worked round the clock and barely slept. Five years. That's how long it took to clean up his mess.

The day I made the final payment, he walked back through the door.

I thought maybe—just maybe—he came back because there was still something left between us.

But all he did was serve me the divorce papers.

Outside the courthouse, we stood side by side beneath a massive billboard.

It snapped. Crushed us both. We died together—silent, broken, buried by the weight of everything we never fixed.

And then we woke up. Right back on the day we were supposed to get married.

Only this time, Nathaniel didn't look at me. He did not speak, nor did he pause. He turned around and walked away. Straight ahead. And he never looked back.

Nathaniel had used his past-life memories like a cheat code, flying overseas and rising fast in the cutthroat world of international trading. His name turned into a hot commodity—whispers of his stock instincts spread like wildfire.

And on the side, he played financial puppet master to Georgina, the entertainment industry's newest sweetheart. She sparkled in front of cameras, while he quietly pulled the strings behind them.

As for me, nothing had changed. I stayed in the same small town, still teaching kids their ABCs at the elementary school. Same routine, same peace.

This time, we never mentioned marriage. Not even in passing.

I'd just settled into my seat when my phone lit up. Zacharias.

"Babe, why didn't you pick up earlier? I was starting to freak out."

His worry came through loud and clear, and I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips.

"I told you, remember? Volunteering this afternoon. Got caught up at the shelter, didn't have a hand free to answer."

Every Saturday, like clockwork, I volunteered.

Today's shift was at the animal rescue center.

I'd grabbed some old clothes from the back of my closet before heading out—stuff I wouldn't mind getting dirty.

I had planned to run home and change into something decent before the wedding, but time got away from me.

I wasn't trying to impress anyone, so I came straight here without giving it a second thought.

"Oh right! I totally forgot. My bad, babe."

"It's fine. If it's not out of the way, could you bring me a clean outfit when you come over?"

We said our goodbyes, and I turned around—

Only to see Nathaniel standing there, smug as ever.

He looked like he'd been waiting for that moment, ready to pounce.

"Selene, don't tell me you're feeling out of place tonight," he said with a crooked grin. "Feeling that sting yet? Everyone's been singing my praises nonstop. Bet that's been real fun for you, huh?

"Too late for regrets, Selene. You picked your lane. I gave you a shot—you turned it down."