Chapter 2

"What are you talking about?" I couldn't really figure out what was happening, completely thrown off by Matilda's initiative.

I couldn't help but wonder when her personality changed and whether this was supposed to be the same timeline I remembered.

Derek Lister, one of my friends, thought I had chickened out because I was nervous. He sensed the shift in atmosphere, jogged over to fetch the bouquet, and shoved it back into my hands. "Are you seriously going to chicken out, Tyler? If you're a man, spit it out—say what you were planning to say all along!"

In that instant, the rest of my friends joined in on the cheering, looking on with keen interest as the situation developed.

It was noisy all around, but I just stood there holding the bouquet, showing no emotion on my face.

Matilda didn't mind it either. She remained silent for a moment before she reached out to take the bouquet from my hand.

She examined the bouquet thoroughly, her tone carrying a blend of happiness and fond recollection. "You actually got me forget-me-nots? They aren't even in season right now. I love them very much. Thanks for buying me these, Tyler."

That reminded me that I had specially ordered and designed this bouquet because Matilda liked forget-me-nots.

It didn't matter to me anymore, though. "Is that so? You can keep them, then. I'll be leaving now."

I couldn't stand her gaze. It unsettled me so much that I blurted those words, turned on my heel, and left. In all of the past ten years, Matilda had never given me a look like that—it was always revulsion or indifference.

I couldn't wrap my head around what she was thinking, and I didn't care to guess either, clueless as to how skipping the proposal triggered a butterfly effect. I just wanted to get out of there at that moment.

Derek chased after me in frustration and grabbed my arm. "What's wrong with you, Tyler Jensen? Matilda obviously showed interest in you just now! How could you just walk away now? We've spent so long helping you put this together!"

I felt a sharp pang in my chest as I heard what he said. I had no idea why Matilda was suddenly acting so differently toward me, even talking to me so gently, but there was no way she had any feelings for me.

In my past life, we had been married for a long time without having any children.

Matilda was constantly on the road for shows back then, and after we got married, she used the Jensen family's influence to advance her career. She had already become one of the country's top female singers by the time we died in the plane crash.

She had only ever used my family and me to further her career. She was incredibly cold toward me in private.

She didn't like having any physical contact with me, so we even slept in separate rooms. She never once told me she loved me, even when the plane went down, and I gave her my only chance to survive.

I still remembered the look on her face when I shoved the last parachute into her hands. There was shock and gratitude, but no love or reluctance to part whatsoever.

I bet the last thing I told her—that I was setting her free—sounded like music to her ears.

"You should just give it a rest, Derek. Matilda and I will never have a future together. I'm sorry for troubling you guys to come out, but let's just say I finally came to my senses. I'll buy you all drinks next time!" I yanked my hand free from Derek's grip after saying that.

Derek was clearly baffled, but he could only yield to my decision.

I rubbed my face and tried to clear my head once I parted with my friends. I caught my reflection in a storefront window as I walked past and froze for a moment.

I realized then that I was still in my 20s in this life. I had been given a second chance in life, so I was determined to find someone who actually loved me and to make up for the regrets of my past.

I drove home looking completely renewed, leading Mom and Dad to assume I had successfully won over Matilda. They immediately grew excited. Dad even flashed me a knowing wink and asked, "How did it go, Tyler? Did you set off the fireworks? Did my advice work out for you?"