Chapter Two: Second Chance

Zara's POV

My throat tightened, as the word settled in. "Divorce agreement?" I echoed, barely recognizing my own voice.

"Yes," he said, his voice cold and his expression as unmoving as a stone.

"But.....I thought we had something special going on," I said, my voice trembling at the weight of disbelief. "I thought.... our marriage was going well." Tears streamed down my cheeks, each one carrying a piece of my hope.

"I don't love you. I never did," he said firmly, his gaze unflinching. "I merely pitied you."

“Pity?” The word felt foreign to my ears, slicing through me like a blade.

“Yes.” He sighed, his tone laced with finality. “Whenever I look at you, I see myself—a desperate struggle for love, acknowledgment, and acceptance from society and family. But I can’t do it anymore.”

Without waiting for response, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me standing there, shattered. My legs felt like lead as I forced myself to move, stumbling out to the pathway.

Voice broke through the fog, clouding my mind.

"Where could she be?"

Police.

Panic surged through me, I quickened my pace , keeping my head low as I reached the corridors. Just as I reached the exit, a sharp voice called out behind me. "There she is. Get her."

Fear gripped me, and I bolted, adrenaline pushing me forward. I reached my car, yanked open the door, and sped away from the gallery, the chaos behind me fading into the distance.

The streets of Las Vegas, blur through my tears-filled eyes. Grace, Cassandra and Alessandro, -their betrayal clung to me like a noise.

"Arghh," I let out a painful groan as I slammed my fists into the steering wheel. The sharp ring of my face cutting through my anguish. Grace.

My shaky hands reached for the phone. "How could you do this?" I cried into the phone. "I did everything according to your orders, and now you frame me up for your own crime."

Grace voice came, gentle and almost rehearsed. "Zara, I'm sorry. I had no other choice," her voice gentle and hollow "If you take the fall, it will be easier to get you out. But for me, it's different. The public will turn it around and it could destroy our family completely."

Her words silence my sobs. "come back," her voice dripping with fake reassurance. I promise to fix this."

Her lies wrapped around me like a web, but before I could respond, bright headlights illuminated the darkness ahead.

"No!" I barely had time to scream before the trailer hit me head-on.

The impact was catastrophic. My car flipped, the world spinning as broken mirror pierced into my body, my body flung violently against the seat. Blood was involuntarily pumping out of my mouth. I couldn't see clearly anymore as the blood shot through my eyes.

My hands were growing limp, this was obviously the end for me and the impact threw me into darkness.

When I awoke, I wasn’t dead. Not yet. My eyelids fluttered open, but the world remained a blur. The sterile beeping of a life support machine was the only sound in the room.

The metallic tang of blood filled my mouth, and pains coursing through my body. The door creaked open and Grace’s voice filtered through the haze, sharp and venomous.

"You should have just died, Zara. Your miserable life should have ended a long time ago but you have been too stubborn."

Grace gave a hollow, mocking laugh. "Now that you've ended up like this , it's only right that you die to cover up the forgery case," she added.

Rage and fear surged through me, but my body betrayed me. I laid still, helpless and cold.

"You've always been so stupid," she continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "Ifyou ever get the chance to wake up, don't be too naive."

Just then the world tilted, spinning into nothingness as I prayed for a second chance. In my next life, I won't be so stupid, naive or seek acknowledgement desperately.

My eyes snapped open to the familiar environment of my old room. My eyes darting across the room, that was more of a prison. My heart raced as I sat upright, my hand gripping the worn duvet. This is my room before getting married. How come I'm here?

My heart quickened as I scanned the space., disbelief coursing through me. Wasn't I supposed to be dead? Or at least be in the hospital? And the pains, blood-it's gone.

Trembling I checked the calendar, it was a month to my wedding.

Wait…., did I by any chance get a second chance, my heart raced with so much confusion, and unanswered questions.

I jolted upright, realization struck like a lightning bolt, I had been given a second chance.

The door creaked open and Cassandra entered. Her voice soft and light. "Sis, you'll be late for your appointment," she said, her smile; fake and familiar.

I stared at her, my throat tightening. She was a wolf in sheep clothing, and I can see through her carefully crafted facade.

Tears slide down my cheeks. Her smile faltered. "Sis.. "You're acting weird?" She asked titling her head forward asking in mock concern. "Are you getting emotional because you're getting married?"

"Getting married?" I repeated, my voice low with emotions.

"Yes," she chirped. "You should be getting dressed. You’re meeting Alessandro for your dress fitting. Hurry up!”

Alessandro. My stomach churned at the memory of his betrayal. Then Grace.......the betrayal sting.

After Cassandra left, I stepped into the bathroom, letting the cool water wash over me. Staring at my reflection, I vowed, “I’ll survive. I’ll live. I’ll destroy them all.”

At the bridal boutique I slipped on a dress that fit my curves perfectly. "Ma'am, you look so stunning," one of the attendant said as I stepped out of the dressing room.

"Sir, look at your bride," another said, motioning to Alessandro.

He glanced up briefly, his face indifferent. "Uhmmm.... she's beautiful," he said, his eyes already back on his phone.

Clenching my fists, anger surged through me. Moving closer I caught a glimpse of his phone-Cassandra’s photos.

"You bastard," I cursed under my breath.

Alessandro looked up, startled. "What?"

Without another word, I grabbed a pen from his suit pocket and slashed through the dress, ripping it away. Gasps filled the room.

"Have you ever witnessed a cancelled wedding?" I asked towards the stunned attendant, a smirk playing on my lips.

"Nooo," she replied, stammering and confused. "...why are you asking?"

"Well, you're about to."

Then I grabbed the bouquet and shoved it in Alessandro's face. "The wedding is off, you bastard."

He gasped at me, speechless. "What......" He asked stuttering.

I didn't reply, instead, my sardonic laugh echoed through the room as I changed back into my clothes and left.

"Zara," he called, trailing behind me. "why are you doing this. It's a month to our wedding," he said, his voice pleading.

I spun around and asked. "Have you ever loved me?"

His face froze, his usual smugness replaced by hesitation. "Of course," he stammered.

"No.....you don't," I shot back. You love Cassandra. Don't you?

Silence.

Tears burn in my eyes, but I refused to cry. I turned to leave, but felt his hands clutch my legs.

"Please Zara," he said, falling to his knee. "I'll stop loving her. I'll treat you right. Please marry me," he said, his voice breaking. I almost believed him, but then he added. "Without you....I won't be able to pay back my family's debt."

Anger boiled inside me. I kicked him away and left without another glance, leaving him groveling. Tears streamed down my face as I board a taxi.

I found myself in a dimly lit bar. I sat by the wine table. I waved the bartender over.

"Your strongest drink," I said. He nodded and handed me a glass. I downed it one gulp, my mind racing with possibilities and survival plans.

Just as I requested for another shot, Evander entered and took a seat nearby. I remembered his words in my past life, and my heart sank.

Like a fleeting haze, the thought drifted into her mind. "Why don't you get closer to him? He might be able to help."

My hands weakened around the glass as I stared at him. His piercing gray eyes locked with mine for a second.

I steadied myself and approached his table. "Zara," his voice soft, yet firm.

My eyes widened. "You know me?"

"Of course," he replied. "You're Cassandra sister. I'm actually waiting for her. She's my date."

Pain flickered but I quickly buried it. Instead, I met his gaze, my voice steady. "Instead of Cassandra, why don't you marry me instead?"