Returning Unwanted Goods

In my previous life, on the day Owen and I got married, Vanessa ended her life by slitting her wrist in a hotel. He left me behind at the venue and rushed to her side.I thought her death would be the wedge that kept us apart forever. The sight of him so broken over her only deepened my sorrow. I thought we were done for.But instead, Owen held me tight and murmured, "You're the only one I have left, Audrey Millar."After we were married, he treated me like I was the center of his universe. He wouldn't let me do a single chore and did it all himself.Even with a packed schedule, he always made it a point to come home for dinner. He kept his assistants all male, saying it was to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings or drama.My friends couldn't stop talking about how lucky I was to have such a perfect man. I, too, felt incredibly fortunate to have Owen in my life.But on our tenth anniversary, I found myself dead at his hands. He accused me of ruining his relationship with Vanessa,

My allergy to mangoes was severe. The mere scent of it was enough to make me feel uneasy, and having fresh mangoes touch my skin would have been a total nightmare.By the time I regained consciousness, I found myself in a hospital bed. Owen stood by my side, looking both guilty and anxious."I had no idea… I'm sorry," he mumbled.I stayed silent.He stared at me as if sensing something wasn't right. I had been shutting him out and staying far from him these days.A flicker of panic crossed Owen's face before he poured me a glass of water. "Why does it seem like you've changed, Audrey?"I looked up at him. The face I had once loved across two lifetimes now felt utterly unfamiliar."It's you who's changed. I've stayed the same," I said flatly.Owen let out a frustrated sigh, but his voice softened. "All I said yesterday was to stop bothering Vanessa. I didn't ask you to quit your job. Vanessa just started at the company, and she doesn't know anyone, so I'm just looking out for he

Reuben didn't waste any time. We headed back to Sorrendale and registered our marriage.I wasn't keen on a big celebration, so we kept it simple—a small gathering with the Millars, the Mowbrays, and a handful of close friends to witness the moment.After that, we hopped on a plane to Faldora. While Reuben and I took in the beauty of lavender fields in Faldora, Owen hosted a stream of singles parties for Vanessa.By the time I moved into Reuben's home in Almoria, Owen had already helped Vanessa move into his place to start living together.My friends tactfully asked how I was doing, but I felt numb as I was too consumed by everything else. I returned to the career Owen had once belittled, becoming a music teacher at a prestigious school in Almoria.I was certain our paths would never cross again, especially since he had poured all his love into Vanessa. With me out of the picture, there was nothing left to stand in the way of his devotion to her.But then, one day, Owen appeared b

The moment I took hold of Mom's and Dad's hands again, I could feel their warmth and knew that I had been reborn. I clung to them, laughing through my tears.They thought something must have gotten to me.Every glance at them stirred up memories of my past life. I couldn't ignore the hatred I felt for Owen, and the urge to make him pay burned inside me. But when I saw their gentle smiles, my resolve wavered.I'd been given a second chance, and I didn't want my thirst for revenge to take it away.Besides, Owen's mother had passed away from an illness shortly after giving birth to him. Owen's father worked as Dad's driver, giving his life to save Dad during a car crash on a business trip.Dad never forgot that sacrifice. He brought Owen to live with us and raised him like his son. So, Owen and I were childhood companions, growing up side by side.When I was 16, I was abducted during a day out. The abductors didn't just demand ransom. They intended to harm me.In the darkest moment

Owen's body went rigid as if he'd been struck by lightning."Do I make you that sick, Audrey?" he asked, his face drained of color.I shot him a look filled with hatred, watching as pain and helplessness crept into his eyes. He broke down in tears again.His lips quivered as if he was about to say something, but the words never came. His eyes became bloodshot, and eventually, he sank into a crouch.Out of nowhere, I recalled a day when I was eight, desperate for a bottle of soda. Owen had rushed out to get it, but rain started pouring down.He slipped and fell several times, but somehow, when he got to me, the soda was perfectly fine. He took off his jacket, handed me the bottle, and flashed me a wide grin.Suddenly, a memory from when I was 18 flooded my mind. Owen was blushing deeply when he took my hand and confessed his feelings for me.My heart raced, the thumping echoing like a heavy bell inside my chest. I met his gaze, my face burning, ready to say yes. But then, he exci