Chapter 2: Second chance

I woke up suddenly, my body burning with heat and my throat dry. Water... I needed water. I looked around frantically and found it on my nightstand. My breathing was still heavy. I guess it was a bad dream but it felt too real. I relaxed and looked around but I was perplexed. I was in my room. The room I used before my marriage. I remember giving it to Cordelia. This didn't make any sense, how did I come here. I was out shopping for ........my hand went to my stomach and eyes wide. I stood up from my bed to look around and suddenly looked into the mirror. My eyes widened in horror. It was me but the younger me. How? What happened? And then I realized that it wasn't a dream. It had all happened in real. I was killed! I had lost my baby. I couldn't help but mourn my unborn child. But how did I went back in time? There were so many questions running through my mind. Suddenly the door burst open and Cordelia came in crying. She came and hugged me " oh my god Ana I thought u would die. Why would you do that? Why would u jump in the river? I know u love Liam but trying to commit suicide is just too much." Huh? When did I jump into the river? Then it clicked I had slipped and fallen in the river, someone had pushed me. And how did she know I had asked Liam out? I looked accusingly at her but she didn't realize as she continued her act. "Why are u looking at me like that, are u still in shock?" She was trying her best to act like a sweet sister but this time I knew.....I knew what was behind that innocent facade. " I just played along " Ahh! No Cordelia I didn't try to commit suicide I just slipped and fell into the water you don't have to worry too much" I could see the irritation in her eyes. " How could I not worry? Do u know father has been worried sick" 

Father! My vision blurred with unshed tears. The last life I was so engrossed in pleasing Liam that I didn't even care about him. He tried to reach out so many times but I didn't listen to him. He didn't like Liam and had tried to stop me from marrying him but I was obstinate and he gave in to my demands. After marriage, Liam restricted me to meet him often and I couldn't understand why. My jaw clenched and my hands balled into a fist... in this life, I won't repeat the same mistakes, I'll take my revenge and make them suffer. In this life, I'll live for myself.  

I was lost in thoughts when Cordelia called out " are you even listening Ana ?" I blinked "sorry I'm just tired Cordelia can I talk to you later?" She looked at me irritated and left. I was still trying to process everything. I looked at the calendar and realized it was the day Liam had rejected me. I was head over heels for him and tried everything to get his attention. We were in the same college and he was Mr. Popular. I tried my luck by approaching him and telling him my feelings but he didn't even bat an eye. After that, I was sulking and walking by the river trying to get over the embarrassment when I was pushed into the river. Last life I had approached him again and again until he gave in and we started dating but this time I won't, I'll let him be. I'll focus on my studies, building myself and my career till it'll be time to make them suffer. 

After changing I went down to meet my father and stepmother. It was almost dinner time and I couldn't wait to just hug my father and ask for forgiveness. When I saw him I ran up to him and hugged him as if my life depended on it. He was always there for me, motivating me and guiding me. My mother left us early and I still miss her, I know he misses her too. " Darling are u feeling better now, I heard about the accident," my stepmother asked and my father went stiff as he remembered what happened. "I'm feeling better now mom don't worry it wasn't a big deal. I just fell into the water" I turned towards her. She was always sweet, loved my father, and treated me as her own. She'll be heartbroken if she realizes the true nature of Cordelia. But I was naive in my previous life I still have to observe her actions...if she cared about me or was she acting just like her daughter. I can't trust anybody again so easily. It'll pain me to know if she is helping her daughter because she is what I have as close to having a mother." It wasn't a small accident Ana, you could have drowned if not for the people who saved you" my father said exasperatedly. "I know I scared you father, it won't happen again, I'm sorry" I assured him and hugged him. My father sighed and we all went to have dinner. Cordelia was missing and mom asked me to call her from her room. The door of the room was slightly ajar when I reached and heard her speaking to someone "...die. You had one simple task and you couldn't do it. She can't swim and this was the perfect opportunity. You ruined it and now I have to wait for another one. I'm not paying you anymore." She said angrily and threw her phone. I took the exact moment to enter and the color drained out of her face when she saw me and was frozen on the spot. I smiled sweetly"Cori come down for dinner everyone is waiting, I've come up to call you" she blinked coming out of the shock and asked, "did you hear anything?" I had to control my laugh at her state "No. Why? Is everything alright?" She sighed in relief and let out a fake smile that I knew too well by now "Oh! Nothing to worry about, let's go"

 I couldn't sleep that night, it was still hard for me to believe what was happening or happened. All this seemed crazy but I was happy I got a second chance at life and I promised myself to make the most of it this time and with that promise, I closed my eyes.