Chapter 4

I looked down at the coin.

“I’ve already used it once?” I asked.

Malcolm said nothing.

“What did you mean by ‘six chances’? Didn't I have seven chances?”

He was silent for a long time.

Then he said, “In your last loop, you already tried to save her.”

“You died. So did she.”

Malcolm’s words pierced my mind like a needle.

“What did you say?”

“In your last loop, you saved her.” Malcolm crushed out his cigarette. “Then both of you died. After time reset, your memory was erased, but the coin remembered.”

He pointed at the copper coin.

“This is your second loop. You have six chances left.”

I stared at the coin.

“I want to try again.”

Malcolm looked at me for a few seconds, then took the black device from inside his coat and pressed a few buttons.

“What time point do you want this time?”

“The day before the accident.”

My voice was dry.

“I want to stop her from leaving.”

“You sure? It’ll cost one year.”

“Do it.”

The device beeped.

The copper coin suddenly burned hot in my hand, so hot I nearly let go.

Then everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in my own bed.

My head hurt like someone had taken a hammer to it, and my temples throbbed.

I grabbed my phone and checked the time.

'February 10, 2023. 7:18 a.m.'

My hand shook, and the phone fell onto my face.

I did not care about the pain. I rushed into the living room and turned on the TV.

The morning news was airing the weather forecast. The anchor’s voice was bright and clear.

“Today is Friday, February 10…”

My legs went weak, and I collapsed onto the couch.

I was really back.

The copper coin was in the pocket of my pajamas.

I took it out.

The engraving on it had faded even more.

I grabbed my phone, found Elena’s number, and called her.

Busy tone.

I called again.

Still busy.

I opened my messages and texted her.

'Elena, don’t go anywhere today. Wait for my call.'

The message failed to send.

I tried every other way to contact her, but it was as if something had cut off every line between us.

I changed clothes and rushed out, heading straight for Elena’s company.

At nine thirty, I arrived downstairs.

The receptionist was new and did not recognize me.

“I’m here for Elena Moore, the supervisor in the tech department.”

“Ms. Moore took the day off.” The young receptionist checked the record. “She called a little after seven this morning and said there was a family emergency.”

Family emergency.

Her mother.

Three years ago, on this exact day, Elena’s mother had suffered a sudden heart attack and been rushed to the hospital.

Elena took time off and went back to her hometown.

The next day, on her way back, the accident happened.

I ran out of the building and flagged down a cab.

“City General Hospital. Hurry.”

At ten twenty, I rushed into the hospital’s emergency building.

In the hallway outside the third-floor resuscitation room, I saw Elena.

One hand was braced against the windowsill.

The other held her phone.

“…Yeah, Mom’s stable now.” Her voice was soft and tired. “The doctor said it was lucky we got her here in time… Don’t come. Isn’t your project inspection today?”

“Remember to eat, okay? Don’t just make instant noodles again… Fine, I know. I’ll be careful.”

She hung up and turned around.

The moment she saw me, she froze.

First there was confusion in her eyes.

Then surprise.

“Chase?” She frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“I…”

My throat felt dry.

“I heard your mom was sick.”

She stared at me for a few seconds.

Then she looked away.