The Winter Of the Past

“The college has reserved a spot for you to study abroad. Discuss this with your family if you would like to go…”

“Yes, I would love to!” I anxiously flexed my fingers, and my palms started sweating. I agitatedly expressed my decision again.

Surprise gleamed in Alex Smith’s eyes. He was my lecturer.

“Will… Layla agree?”

In my former life, I gave up the chance to go abroad to be with Layla Freeman, my fiancee.

But after that, she wanted to further her studies and went to Northcall where Charles Jones and his son, Caleb Jones, were.

I could only stay in Liville because of my career. I transferred money to her every month for her studies. I also cared for her parents and her troublemaker of a younger brother.

At first, I thought that we could start a family after she graduated.

But she made an excuse about her career and did not come home after graduation.

She would only text me when she needed money.

Finally, I could meet her during the New Year. However, she came home with Charles and Caleb.

She expressed pity for the widower and his son, which made me speechless.

After that, they watched the New Year parade together and took pictures at Sky Square. They were close like a family, which made me express my jealousy.

I told her that her parents wanted grandchildren and that I wanted to have children with her. However, fury gripped her.

“Zayn MacQuoid, you can’t be this selfish! I’m working hard right now. I can’t have kids!”

I compromised to quell her anger.

I valued her career, but she resigned so that she could take care of Charles and Caleb better.

Besides, she used the money I had saved for retirement for Caleb’s wedding.

My leg hurt terribly during that winter, but I was too poor to see a doctor.

Moreover, the temperature at home was freezing. It made me shiver.

I tried calling Layla for money, but she hung up on me repeatedly.

I could not hold on since I was old. In the end, I froze to death.

I was found a month later.

A police officer informed Layla about it.

At first, I assumed that she would feel guilty when she saw me. But I was wrong.

She wore a resentful face as she complained that I had passed away on her godson’s wedding day.

“Look what have you done, Zayn MacQuoid! You didn’t even die on a less important day. Stop disgusting me!”

At that moment, I felt disappointment fill my very being.

Fortunately, God gave me another chance.

During this life, I would have nothing to do with her.

I looked firmly at Alex. “This is my affair. I don’t have to ask anyone else.”

After a brief pause, Alex nodded with gratification. He had not expected me to say such a thing given how madly I was in love with Layla.

“You’re all grown up.”

Certainly, I was much more mature since I had lived twice.

I bade him goodbye and went home.