Back to the Past, I Gave Them a Future

"Mom, I'll marry Nathaniel."Hearing Catherine Brown's words, both my mother, Amethyst Lowe, and I froze in shock.By all logic, since I was still single as the older sister, I should've been the one to marry Nathaniel Cole. I never expected Catherine to step forward on her own.My mother glanced at me, clearly wanting my opinion. "Bella, don't you have anything to say? Weren't you and Nathaniel seeing each other? I heard that he walked you to work every day."I was struggling to find the right words when Catherine's sharp laugh cut straight through my thoughts. "Mom, how could Nathaniel possibly be dating Bella? He only helps her because of me. I'm the one he likes!"A loud buzzing rang in my head. It was as if something inside me snapped. Memories that had never made sense from my last life came flooding back.Before I had died, Nathaniel had written one final line in his journal."If you have a choice, never marry someone you don't love."So the one he loved was Catherine, w

That night after work, I returned to Briarwood Manor. I hadn't even gotten the chance to rest before my mother dragged me back to the Brown residence, saying it was time to start preparing Catherine's wedding.Her wedding with Nathaniel was set for next month, and there was still so much to do. They had to choose her wedding dress and shoes, order the flowers, and finalize the venue. They even needed to pick out suits for the groomsmen and dresses for the bridal party.I frowned immediately, and Catherine caught it. She crossed her arms and shot me an impatient look. "Bella Brown, are you that unwilling to do a little work?"Every time she was upset, she'd call me by my full name.In the past, I'd always swallowed it, telling myself she was my younger sister. But this time, I didn't feel like giving in. I answered flatly, "I have work tomorrow. I don't have time."It was an excuse, but also the truth.I turned to leave the room. Just then, a series of knocks came from the door. "

Looking at Nathaniel's twisted face and hearing his roar, even the bus ticket agent froze.After snapping out of it, she glared at him coldly. "Who are you? Whoever's on this bus has nothing to do with you!""How can that be? The one sitting inside is my—"Halfway through the sentence, he suddenly stopped. It hit him that I had nothing to do with him anymore.I was only his sister-in-law now. He had no right to demand answers about where I was going.Just then, Catherine came running up from behind, grabbing his hand. "What's wrong? Did you see someone?"He clutched at her like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline, pushing her forward. "Catherine, hurry and ask them if the person who just got on the bus was Bella!"Her excitement from moments ago froze instantly on her face. She shoved him away and said angrily, "Nathaniel, it's our wedding day today! Why do you care where Bella goes or what she does?"Gather yourself! I'm your bride now!"He stood there stunned, unable to say a

After that fiasco, the New Year came quickly.I didn't want to go back, but since it was Catherine's first year married to Nathaniel, she'd probably be spending the holiday with his family. That left my mother alone at home for New Year's, and I couldn't shake the worry.So after thinking it over, I bought some gifts for the holiday and went home.I didn't return until New Year's Eve. I hadn't expected to run into Catherine. It was like she had been waiting for me, because the second she saw me, she started mocking me with that fake, syrupy tone."Bella, it's already New Year's Eve and you're just getting home. You must've made quite a bit of money these past months. I wonder how much money you're giving Mom this year."My mother frowned, trying to smooth things over. "It doesn't matter if she gives one or not, as long as you both come home for the New Year, that's enough."Bella, you've been gone almost a year now. Is there anything you've been craving? I'll cook it for you righ