My Wife Caught Me With Her 18-Year-Old Self

"Or maybe I got hit by a car and lost my memory? Maybe my whole brain got damaged?" 18-year-old Selena pressed on.I kept my head down, stirring the coffee in front of me absently. A bitter smile tugged at my lips."No. Nothing like that happened. You're perfectly healthy. We got married right after graduation. At first, things were wonderful. We were inseparable, madly in love just like we'd been for years. But everything changed completely after Preston showed up."Preston Jones joined Selena's company in its fifth year. That same year, our marriage hit the seven-year itch.I was busy becoming the youngest attending physician at the hospital, and Selena's business was experiencing explosive growth. Her social obligations multiplied. There were endless meetings and dinner parties.After I turned down several invitations to accompany her to those events, Selena lost her temper with me for the first time."Everyone else has their partner with them, but I'm married and still going

A sharp, indescribable bitterness rose in my chest. My footsteps faltered, and I stayed frozen in the doorway.A few minutes later, Selena emerged, supporting Preston as they walked out. I did a quick examination and confirmed his condition had indeed worsened. I directed Selena to help him into the ambulance I'd arranged on the way over.Before we wheeled him into the operating room, Preston suddenly grabbed my hand. "Dr. Holt, you're the best surgeon in the state. Could you please perform my surgery?"The medical staff nearby knew bits and pieces about my personal life. Seeing this situation unfold, one of them immediately stepped forward."Mr. Jones, Dr. Holt hasn't treated you before and isn't familiar with your case history. Perhaps another doctor should handle this. All of our orthopedic surgeons are highly qualified—"But no matter how much they tried to persuade him, Preston clung stubbornly to my hand. "My injury is serious, and Lena is really worried about me. I don't tr

The younger and older versions of Selena were two identical people with completely different attitudes toward me.I thought about my exhaustion in the operating room, how the older Selena pulled out that wish coupon to plead with me, and the way she laughed and chatted with Preston. My mind was a tangled mess, but in the end, I still didn't acknowledge her.Once my condition improved, I got myself discharged from the hospital. The younger Selena insisted on accompanying me home, holding my hand the entire way, afraid that I might collapse again.As we reached the building entrance, she suddenly leaned close to my ear and lowered her voice."Zacky, I think there's something off about Preston's injury. I've been thinking about it. It's too convenient that he had a relapse right when you finished surgery. And the way my older self treats him so well, but he still isn't satisfied? Something doesn't add up. I want to investigate him."Something clicked, but I didn't say anything. I jus

Selena immediately called the police and turned Preston over to the authorities. At the same time, she held a press conference to publicly clarify what had happened, explained Preston's con, and presented all the relevant evidence.Because she handled it so quickly, the company's plans to go public weren't affected at all. In fact, her transparency earned even more trust from investors and the public.After dealing with everything, Selena gathered all the evidence along with a divorce agreement and rushed to my place. She pushed open the door and saw the younger version and me sitting on the couch. She hesitated before walking over."Zacky, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong."She placed the evidence in front of me. "Preston told me you didn't care about me anymore. He said you only cared about your career and didn't want to deal with me. I was confused, and I believed him. That's why I fought with you and moved out."Then he staged that injury, and I fell for it again. I thought it wa

The younger Selena watched us, a look of relief spreading across her face. Her body began to fade, slowly becoming transparent as she dissolved into the air."Zacky, be happy. And you, 30-year-old me, if you mess up again, I'll find a way back from whatever timeline I'm in just to haunt you."After she disappeared, a letter remained on the couch. My hands shook as I picked it up and opened it. Her handwriting covered the page, careful and deliberate."Selena, by the time you read this, I'll be gone. I know you made so many mistakes and caused Zacky so much pain. I feel that guilt for you."You have to remember what mattered when we were young. Remember how hard you fought to marry Zacky. Remember that he's the most important person in your life, the one who should always come first."Never make him cry again. Never neglect him. Never let him suffer. Spoil him. Love him the way I do."Zacky, I'm sorry you went through all of that. I know your heart hurts, but please believe me. Th