The Past is Hard to Recall

Chapter 11

"Stella, I truly regret it. I could have had a good life..."

From his rambling, I learned that in his past life, after discovering the truth, Cole had committed suicide in front of my grave and our child's. The sound of police sirens grew louder. Suddenly, I heard the car lock release. My heart skipped a beat. Realizing what was happening, I quickly yanked open the door and bolted out of the car. As soon as I stepped outside, Cole started the engine. It was only then that I realized he had parked right at the edge of a cliff.

As the gray van plunged downward, I heard Winona and Cole's chilling screams echoing into the air.

"Stella, next time, I won't make the wrong choice..."

I froze in fear, my stomach clenching. Just as I was about to lose my balance, a warm embrace caught me. It was Samuel. He held me tight, his face pale. Despite his usual calm demeanor, his eyes were red and teary, his voice shaking as he whispered, "I thought I was going to watch you die again."

I looked at him, stunned. That's when I realized, Samuel had been reborn too. All along, since our families arranged the marriage, he had quietly watched over me and fallen in love. In his heart, I had always been his wife. But he never expected I would later reject our families' agreement just to be with Cole. It hurt him, but he let me go. My parents' agreement to the marriage had a lot to do with him; he carried many burdens behind the scenes, all for my happiness.

But when he heard about my disappearance, he was devastated. It wasn't until later, when Cole discovered the truth and took his own life, that Samuel found my remains and erected a tombstone for me and my parents. He never married, but it seemed fate had been kind. Not only had I been given a second chance, but so had he.

Even though we didn't share any emotional connection in this life, his care for me came from a deep love that had never wavered, even if I had been blind to it. Suddenly, the distance I had always felt between us seemed to vanish. I tightened my embrace around him.

As my parents rushed toward me from behind, I broke into uncontrollable tears.

In the end, it was Samuel who held me, guiding us back. Curling into his embrace, I couldn't help but glance back one last time.

"Cole, it's over. I hope we never meet again... forever."

(The End)