Chapter 3

Lana

My head felt heavy. The scent of disinfectant lingered everywhere, and the beeping sound of a monitor behind me was loud. I fought to open my eyes, which was hard at first because all I could see was darkness. But slowly, my vision began to clear, and the first thing my eyes caught was the white ceiling.

I felt a movement beside me and turned to see a pretty lady in white doing something nearby.

“You're awake.”

She flashed me a smile as I tried to sit up on the bed.

“Where am I?” were the first words that left my mouth.

Confusion washed over me as I held my head, trying to remember what had happened, but everything seemed so vague, like my mind had gone numb.

“You're in the hospital. You were brought in two days ago and have been unconscious.”

“Two days?!” I gasped in shock.

“Yes, two days. You were brought in by Mr. Dante Mo...”

I didn't wait to listen to her. I immediately got down from the bed.

“What are you doing?” Her eyes widened in surprise as I disconnected the drip attached to my hand.

“My... my... my husband.”

I staggered around in confusion, searching for my dress because I was wearing a hospital gown with a bandage wrapped around my head.

“Are you okay, ma'am?”

The nurse tried to hold me, but then my eyes landed on the clock hanging on the wall.

It's 7 p.m.

“I... I... I need to go home to my husband. I have to make him food, and... and...”

“No, you can't leave. You're not fully healed, and you just woke up.”

“I have to go. I have to go.”

I was already dashing out, not listening to whatever the nurse was saying. Confusion washed over me as I staggered into the elevator. Everyone inside stared at me like I was some crazy person, but that was the least of my worries. The only thing I cared about right now was getting back home to my husband.

The elevator opened, and I was the first person to dash out.

I couldn't imagine what Magnus would be thinking right now. Was he worried about me? Had he eaten? Had he been doing well? I needed to get home.

I was so oblivious to my surroundings that I suddenly bumped into someone.

“Sorry. I'm sorry.”

I bowed respectfully and left immediately without waiting to see who it was.

I finally made it out of the hospital and hopped onto a bus. I was barefoot, my hair was disheveled, and there was a bandage wrapped around my head. People stared at me like I was some lunatic, but that was the least of my problems.

I sat close to the window, resting my head against it. I had a severe headache. My head literally felt like it would explode, but I could bear it. As long as I could get home and see Magnus, I could endure any amount of pain.

The bus finally came to a stop, and since I didn't have any money, I jumped down and took off running.

I didn't stop.

I ran with my last strength.

I ran with everything I had.

My head felt heavy, and I was dizzy, but none of that mattered because soon I'd be home.

I was panting and sweating, and when I saw that I was almost home, I slowed down. No one was chasing me anymore.

Finally...

I'm home.

I'm home.

I hurried toward our apartment, but as I got closer, I could hear laughter.

And laughter.

And more laughter.

Wait, has Magnus landed a job?

I hastened my steps and got to the door, only to realize it wasn't open, so I knocked.

“Who's there?”

I heard my mother-in-law's voice as the door opened, but the moment she saw me, a frown appeared on her face.

“What are you doing here, you bitch? After running off with some man, you think you can come back to our son?!”

“Mother, please, I need to see Magnus,” I muttered quietly and tried to walk in, but she pushed me back.

“Magnus does not want to see you.”

I already knew my mother-in-law had never liked me, but right now I didn't understand why she was stopping me from entering my own home.

“Magnus!”

“Magnus!” I yelled for him to come and let me in.

“Who the hell is yelling my husband's name?”

A lady dressed in a wedding gown walked out with Magnus right behind her.

“Magnus, what's going on?” I asked in shock, seeing that he was wearing a suit.

“What do you think it is? Ever since you came into my son's life, he has never known peace or made any progress. You were bad luck to his life and career. Now he has found a career woman who's a manager in a big company. They have gotten married, and she's currently pregnant with his child, so go back to where you came from. There's no place for you here anymore.”

Pierce...

Pierce...

Stab...

Those were the emotions I was feeling.

It felt like a knife was being driven into my chest, my head, and every part of my body. I could feel myself trembling and losing control.

“That's a lie.”

“That's a lie!”

I stared at Magnus, tears streaming down my face as I shook my head, refusing to believe my mother-in-law's words.

“Magnus, remember you promised me forever. You said you loved me. I literally did everything you wanted. Tell me, honey, is this a joke? It has to be, right?”

I muttered with hopeful eyes and tried to get close to him, but his wife stepped in front of him and suddenly shoved me hard.

My head hurt and felt like it was ripping apart. My vision blurred as my body fought to stay standing.

“Magnus, please, you can't do this to me. Remember, it's been ten years. Please, Magnus.”

I don't know how I found the strength, but I sprang to my feet, and just as I was about to reach the door—

“Leave, Lana. I have a new family now. I'm sorry.”

And just like that, they slammed the door in my face.

“Magnus...!”

“Magnus...!”

I kept banging on the door.

“Magnus, please don't do this to me. Magnus, please. It's been ten years. I don't have anyone. Where do you want me to go? Please open the door for me... please...!”

I cried and begged for something that wasn't even my fault.

I stayed there for hours, but they never opened the door.

The clouds rumbled. A strong wind blew, followed by heavy rain, yet no one came out to open the door for me.

Finally, I realized it was time to leave.

But where would I go?

I had no one.

Dragging my feet through the heavy rain, I was freezing and shaking. My head felt like it was splitting in two, and my body trembled. I felt like I would pass out, but all that pain was nothing compared to the heaviness and betrayal in my heart.

I gave ten years of my life.

I gave up my career to become a better wife.

I loved him.

I cared for him.

I tolerated him.

And what did I get?

Betrayal...

Betrayal...

He's a liar...

A fucking liar!!!

He destroyed my life and left me when I couldn't even stand on my own. He promised me love, but instead he gave me hell. He took away my prime and gave me hell. He forced me to abort our baby but got another woman pregnant.

I don't even know what to do.

Where do I go?

What do I do?

“Haaaaaaaaaaa... Ahhhhhhhhhhh...!”

My tears and screams echoed as I stood in the middle of the deserted road. It was silent except for the sound of the rain pouring down.

I looked up at the heavens.

I cursed the day I met Magnus Kalan, hoping for only one thing.

If I could turn back the hands of time, I would never look at him twice. I would have achieved so much, and most importantly, my parents would still be alive.

How I wished I hadn't given up so much for him.

“Piiiiiiiiii...!”

I suddenly heard the sound of an approaching car.

Slowly, I turned to my left, but it was too late because the next second, I was lying in a pool of my own blood, alone on the deserted road.

Finally...

I'm going to die and leave this wicked world behind.

Am I seeing double?

Why am I seeing the stars and the moon when it's raining?

Or is it because I'm about to die?

The moon was so beautiful, with stars surrounding it, and suddenly, like a flash of light, they shone down on me, blinding my vision.

What's going on?

“Lana!”

“Lana!”

“Lana!”

I heard a voice as my eyes slowly opened.

Wait...

Where am I?

I looked around the familiar room.

Isn't this my room in my parents' house?

When I saw my mum staring down at me, my eyes widened.

“Mum?”

I sprang up from the bed immediately and threw myself into her arms.

“Mum, I thought I'd lost you. I can't believe it's really you.”

I hugged her tightly as though my life depended on it.

“Are you okay?” she asked as she placed her hand on my forehead.

“Mum... am I dreaming? Is this the afterlife?”

“This silly child, what nonsense are you spouting?”

She pinched my cheeks.

“Ouch! That hurts.”

“Oww, I thought you said you were dreaming.”

She shook her head with a smile.

“Mum.”

I hugged her again, resting my head against her chest.

Wait...

I pulled away and rushed to the mirror, staring at myself.

“Ahhhhhhhh...!”

“What...?” My mum hurried over to me.

“Mum... why do I look so young?”

“Did you hit your head on something?”

I touched my face, and my eyes landed on the calendar.

2016?

“Mum... are we not in 2026?”

“2026? Are you crazy?”

“You have an interview this morning, remember? I've made breakfast. Get dressed and come downstairs quickly, okay?”

“Hmmm.”

I flashed her a smile as I slumped onto the bed.

I thought I died...

What happened?

My mind flashed back to that moon.

Could it be the light?

I remembered making a wish.

Could it be that the heavens heard me?

So I'm not dead.

Is this a second chance...

To rewrite my mistakes?