Reborn at Seven: Saving My Mom's Life

My mom, Scarlett Vaughn, looked at me, and her smile froze. "Melissa, what's wrong?"

"Mom, you can't go!" I rushed over and wrapped my arms tightly around her leg. Mom was alive and unharmed. I held her even tighter.

"What happened, Melissa?" Mom crouched down, and I caught the faint, familiar scent of her perfume. She'd put on a new dress and done her hair because she was marrying Keith today.

But that same man had beaten her so badly her face was covered in bruises on the very first night of their marriage in my last life.

"I had a bad dream. Keith was beating you up every day."

"Oh, he wouldn't." Mom reached out and stroked my head. "He treats us so well. Remember when you had a fever last time? Keith came over in the middle of the night and took you to the hospital. Did you forget about that?”

"I didn't." My voice shook. "But that was my dream! I dreamed you married him, and he slapped you on the very first day. Then he beat you with a belt, smashed bottles against you, and swung a bat at you. You broke three ribs, and your arms were covered in scars from cigarette burns. In the end, you just lay there and never got back up."

"Silly girl." Mom smiled and brushed her fingers across my cheek. "Dreams are always the opposite of reality. Don't be scared."

Another sharp honk came from downstairs.

"Come on, the driver is waiting for us," Mom said before reaching for the door handle.

"Mom, please. You can't go!" I clung to the hem of her dress with all my strength, and Mom was startled by my reaction.

"Mom, you really can't marry Keith."

When she still hesitated, I burst into tears and ran toward the balcony. "If you marry him, I'll jump!"

"Melissa!" Mom screamed and grabbed me. "Okay. Fine, I won't go."

She pulled out her phone and canceled the cab. Then she called Keith Lawrence.

Soon, the call connected. "Keith, maybe we should… pick another day? Melissa's throwing a tantrum. She won't let me leave."

Keith didn't say anything for two seconds. I could barely breathe while I waited, my heart almost stopping.

Then he finally spoke, his voice still warm and gentle. "What's wrong? Is she feeling sick?"

"Nope, she just… She had a nightmare and is throwing a tantrum."

Keith chuckled. "It's normal, right? She's just a kid. She's afraid you'll leave and not want her anymore. Talk to her and calm her down. Today is our special day. I don't want us to miss it."

Mom turned to look at me, who was sobbing my heart out. "But she—"

"Okay, here's what," Keith cut her off, his voice still gentle. "I'll go fetch you. I'll pick up her favourite strawberry mousse on the way. She's only a little girl. A piece of cake will cheer her up."

The moment I heard that, I shook my head.

Mom's fingers tightened around her phone. "Maybe we should do it another day. She—"

"I'm already on my way." Keith laughed. "I'll be there in ten minutes. Wait for me."

Then he hung up.

Mom wiped the tears from my face with a tissue. "Melissa, he's coming over. Looks like I can't put it off anymore."

A chill ran down my spine, and I felt cold all over. I looked at the clock in the living room. Seven minutes left until Keith arrived. If we went downstairs now, there was a good chance we'd run into him at the entrance.

I shouted, "Mom, lock the door! Quick!"