I awoke with a startle, my heart pounding in my chest. As my eyes adjusted to the soft, golden light filtering through the curtains, I realized I was in an opulent room filled with luxurious items—plush velvet furniture, rich mahogany woodwork, and delicate crystal chandeliers that glittered in the morning sun. This wasn’t my room. I wasn’t supposed to be here. “This is not my room. I’m supposed to be dead,” I thought, my mind racing with confusion and fear. I vividly remembered the horrifying moment when my stepsister and husband had pushed me off a cliff. The sensation of falling, the wind rushing past me, the sheer terror—it all came flooding back. So how had I survived, and more importantly, how had I ended up in this place? My legs trembled as I swung them over the side of the bed and stood up. Each step towards the door felt like a monumental effort, my body weak and unsteady. As I moved, I caught sight of myself in a large, ornate mirror. “This isn’t me,” I whispered, star
I looked up at the woman and asked, "Who is my husband?" She seemed taken aback by my question, her expression flickering with a mixture of surprise and caution. "Your husband... you don't remember him?" I shook my head slowly, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "No, I don't. Please, can you tell me who he is?" The woman glanced at Tommy, who was still clinging to me, his tears starting to subside. "Your husband is Mr. Richard Walker," she said quietly. "He's been away on a business trip for the past few weeks. He's expected back tomorrow." Richard Walker. The name sounded unfamiliar, like a distant echo that I couldn't quite place. I looked down at Tommy, who was now looking up at me with curiosity and a hint of fear. "Tommy, do you like your dad?" I asked gently. Tommy nodded hesitantly. "He's nice to me. He buys me toys and takes me to the park." I forced a smile, trying to reconcile this information with the blank slate of my memory. "That's good," I said, though I couldn't s
After Richard had left, I sat down, my mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The silence of the room felt deafening, amplifying the turmoil within me. Why would a woman harbor so much hatred for her husband I thought about my own past life, how I had always longed for the attention and affection of my husband, Matthew. The memories flooded back, bittersweet and poignant. Matthew and I had married under circumstances that were far from ideal. Our union was arranged by our families, and while I had hoped for love to blossom, it had never quite happened. I was not from a wealthy family, but I was left with a substantial inheritance. My husband had married me with the intention of gaining control of this inheritance. This bitter truth had come to light before the horrifying incident when my stepsister and Anthony had pushed me off the cliff. My life had been marked by struggle and rejection. I had always carried a scar on my face, a disfigurement that had marre
As I stood by the study door waiting for an answer, the silence stretched on, making the seconds feel like hours. When no response came, I cautiously entered the room. There, I saw Richard engrossed in writing in a journal. Taking a deep breath, I called his name softly. He continued to ignore me; his focus unwavering. Gathering courage, I moved closer and gently touched his shoulder. Startled, he turned around quickly, his expression shifting from surprise to irritation when he saw it was me. "What are you doing here?" he asked coldly. "Did we not agree to stay out of each other's way?" I stammered, trying to find my words. "I just came to tell you that I cooked. Do you want some?" Richard's eyes filled with contempt as he looked at me. He turned back to his journal without a word. After a moment, he glanced back up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You cooked? You? Even if I believed anything you said, the idea that you cooked is laughable. You're just a cheating liar. His
I looked down at my son's disappointed face, my heart ached. His excitement to go out had turned sour after the nanny said my husband had prohibited me from going out. Wanting so eagerly to lift his spirits, I turned to the nanny. "Could you please call my husband? I need to speak with him," I asked, hoping to reason with him and make him understand that I was not like before. The nanny looked at me, slightly hesitant but finally nodded. "Okay, Ma'am." She retrieved the phone and dialed the number that connected directly to Richard's secretary. After a few rings, a voice that dripped with arrogance answered, "Who is this?" The nanny replied, "This is Mr. Richard's wife. She would like to have a word with him." There was a brief pause at the other end of the phone before the secretary's voice returned, colder than before. "He's busy" she said with that, she hung up. I felt so helpless and frustrated because in my former body I was not restricted from moving around since my h
Though I had been awake for a while, but I immediately closed my eyes tight and pretended to be sleeping as soon as I felt Richard coming awake. He sat up and stared down at me for a few moments, then gently removed his hand from under my head. I kept my breathing even, listening to the sound of his footsteps as he moved to the bathroom. The water ran for a short while, and soon he returned with a wet cloth. He carefully removed the old one from my stomach and replaced it with the fresh, cool towel. His touch was unexpectedly tender, and I fought to keep my eyes closed, savoring this rare moment of affection. After tending to me, Richard quietly left the room. I waited, making sure he was gone, before daring to open my eyes. A smile crept across my face. It had been so long since I had felt such care and attention from anyone, let alone a man. The memory of his gentle touch filled me with tingling butterflies in my belly. Trying to seat up on the bead, when I heard a sof
I woke up early, the first rays of dawn barely touching the horizon, to prepare breakfast since I was not able to sleep. I busied myself in the kitchen, and by the time the rest of the house began to stir, breakfast was ready. I had prepared a simple yet hearty meal of apple pie and some pancakes for Tommy. As I was setting the table, I heard footsteps descending the stairs. Looking up, I saw Richard and Tommy coming down together. My heart beat very fast in my chest, like I was running a race. I stared at Richard’s face, and I felt my legs tremble. He was so cute, even with the way his hair was tousled, he still looked good. I guess I was staring for too long. When Richard looked towards me and caught me looking, I quickly averted my gaze as my cheeks burned in embarrassment. At that moment, if there was another word for embarrassment, that was what I was feeling. I felt as if the ground should open up and swallow me whole. My cheeks burned with shame and turned crimson
"What?" I exclaimed, unable to hide my shock. My son's eyes welled up with tears as he looked at me with an expectant gaze. "Yes, Mom, I’ve seen other parents doing it. I want you and Dad to kiss so I know you're not fighting." I was taken aback, standing there in stunned silence How could I explain to him the complexity of the situation? I had never even kissed my own husband from my past life, except on the day we wed, which was just a light kiss that barely touched my lips. And now, I was supposed to ask Richard to kiss me just because our son requested it. Just yesterday, I had caught Richard in an incredibly embarrassing situation, a memory that still made my cheeks flush with humiliation. But I wanted to make my son happy, and looking at his expectant face, I didn’t want to disappoint him. So, I made a big decision at that moment. I held Tommy's hand, and together we left the kitchen and went upstairs to Richard's room. Nervously, I knocked on the door. "Who is
Ava's Pov The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the bustling household. The once-quiet home had transformed into a lively battleground, where the daily routines of life were anything but mundane. The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallways as Ava scrambled to get her children ready for the day."Tommy, come here, sweetie," Ava called out as she fastened the straps on his backpack. Tommy, now eight years old and full of energy, ran over to her with an excited grin on his face."Are you ready for school, my big boy?" Ava asked, ruffling his hair."Yes, Mommy! I can't wait to show my friends the new toy Daddy got me," Tommy replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.Ava smiled, her heart swelling with pride as she knelt to help him adjust his backpack. "That’s my boy. Remember to listen to your teacher and be nice to your friends, okay?"Tommy nodded eagerly. "I will, Mommy!"As she finished with Tommy, Ava’s attention was suddenly drawn
Richard's Pov I had just finished filling the tub with warm water when Ava stepped in, letting out a sigh of relief as the warmth enveloped her swollen body. Mornings like this had become our little ritual, a time for her to relax and ease some of the discomfort that came with carrying three babies. I could tell she appreciated it, even if she didn’t say so outright. I grabbed the washcloth and gently started to soap her back, moving slowly, knowing how sensitive she’d become in these final weeks. Ava leaned forward, resting her head on her arms, eyes closed, a faint smile playing on her lips. “This feels amazing,” she murmured, her voice a soft whisper. “I could stay here all day.” “Maybe you should,” I teased lightly. “I can bring you breakfast, lunch, and dinner right here in the tub.” She chuckled, a sound that always managed to brighten my day, no matter how stressed or tired I was. “Tempting, but I think I’d turn into a prune if I stayed in here that long.” I laughed, a
Richard's Pov As I sat in the waiting room, time seemed to stretch into an eternity. The minutes dragged on like hours, and the silence in the hospital was deafening. The bright, sterile lights overhead did nothing to calm my nerves, and the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall only served to heighten my anxiety. I had been here for three hours, and the night had fully descended, casting a heavy darkness outside the windows. The only thing I could focus on was the fact that Ava was still unconscious, and I had no idea what was wrong. I replayed the events of the evening in my head over and over again. The way Ava had suddenly gone limp in my arms, her eyes fluttering shut, and how she hadn't responded to my frantic attempts to wake her. The memory of it made my heart pound in my chest, fear gripping me like a vice. I couldn't shake the image of her pale face, her body so still and lifeless. What if something was seriously wrong? What if she never woke up? The thought was
Ava's Pov The door creaked as we stepped into the dark room, the air heavy with a damp, metallic scent. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my face neutral. Richard had asked me not to cause any trouble, and I intended to keep that promise, even though every fiber of my being screamed at me to run. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls, making the space feel even more oppressive. I could barely make out the figure in the center of the room. My breath hitched when I saw him. Matthew. My ex-husband from my past life, tied to a chair, his head slumped forward. Blood dripped from various wounds on his body, pooling on the cold, concrete floor beneath him. The sight made my stomach churn, but I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. How could this man—this monster—still have such a hold on my life? Was he so hell-bent on ruining everything for me, both in the past and now? I had thought I was done with him after I ensured he was sent to the correctional cente
Ava's Pov I woke up to an empty bed. The sheets beside me were cold, a clear sign that Richard had been gone for a while. I rolled over, my mind still foggy from sleep, and tried to shake off the unease that settled in my chest. I remembered how exhausted I felt last night, how I had fallen asleep almost instantly after... Well, after everything. Richard had seemed concerned, but I had brushed it off as nothing. But now, as I lay there alone, something felt wrong. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, hoping for some kind of distraction. Just as I picked it up, it buzzed in my hand. A notification. I frowned, wondering who would be messaging me so early. When I unlocked the screen, my heart stopped. It was a video message from an unknown number. My hands trembled as I tapped the screen, my breath caught in my throat. The video began to play, and my world tilted. "Ma-Mama... Papa, please... I'm scared." Tommy’s tiny voice trembled through the speaker, and I felt
Ava's Pov The moment we stepped off the plane and into the warm Hawaiian breeze, I could hardly contain my excitement. My eyes widened as I took in the stunning view of the island, and I turned to Richard, practically bouncing on my toes. "Richard, you never told me we're spending our honeymoon in Hawaii!" I exclaimed, my voice full of surprise and delight. Richard flashed that charming smile of his, the one that always made my heart skip a beat. "Yeah, that’s the advantage of being married to me. You get to experience different surprises," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. I couldn't help but let out a little squeal of joy as I grabbed his arm, squeezing it tight. "You do realize this means you're going to have to keep surprising me like this for the rest of our lives, right?" He chuckled, pulling me close to him as we began walking down the road towards our hotel. "I wouldn’t have it any other way." As we made our way through the bustling streets, I felt like a ch
Ava's Pov The day had finally arrived. After three months of meticulous planning, every detail was in place, and yet, despite the joy that should have filled my heart, I couldn't shake the chills running through my body. This was my second marriage—one from a past life and now this present one. The thought of walking down the aisle again felt surreal. I stood in front of the mirror, my reflection showing a woman who had endured so much, yet still managed to find happiness again. The delicate lace of my gown hugged my figure perfectly, but it was the nervousness in my eyes that stood out the most. My father—well, the father of this body, the man who had become like a real father to me—appeared at the doorway. He had been the one to support me through everything, and now, he would be the one to lead me down the aisle. He walked over, his expression a mix of pride and emotion. “You look beautiful,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so proud of the woman you’ve
Ava's Pov We were nestled comfortably on the couch, watching a rerun of one of my favorite shows. Richard had been quiet all evening, but there was a certain energy about him, something that made me feel like he was up to something. “I invited Nana to stay over,” Richard suddenly said, breaking the silence. I turned to look at him, confused. “Why? Are we going somewhere?” He nodded, his eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint that always intrigued me. “Yes, we are.” I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. “Richard, I’m really tired. I don’t feel like going out.” He tilted his head, concern touching his features. “Why? Is something wrong?” I shook my head quickly, not wanting to worry him. “No, it’s nothing. I just… don’t feel like it today.” Richard’s expression softened, and then a slow smile spread across his face. “What if I told you there’s a surprise waiting for you?” My fatigue seemed to melt away instantly, replaced by curiosity. I straightened up on the couch,
Ava's Pov The soft rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, gently nudging me awake. I was lying there, cocooned in the warmth of my blankets, when a delightful aroma wafted through the air, teasing my senses. The smell was intoxicating—a rich, savory scent mingled with something sweet and buttery. I inhaled deeply, savoring it, and slowly blinked my eyes open. My gaze fell on Richard, who was standing at the foot of the bed, watching me with an amused smile. His eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and he held a tray of food in his hands. "I knew you'd wake up the moment you caught a whiff of this," he teased, his voice low and smooth. A playful smile tugged at my lips as I stretched lazily, my body still half-asleep but my mind fully awake. "You know me too well," I murmured, pushing myself up to sit against the headboard. "But you also know that I don’t really fuss over food like this… unless it’s something special." Richard chuckled and walked around to