All Chapters of Returning Unwanted Goods: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

"Owen's hosting a singles party for Vanessa tonight, Audrey. Aren't you going?"I snapped out of my daze at the mention of my name, my gaze locking with my friend's as she waited for a response.Her expression softened with concern. "Have you and Owen been fighting? You've been looking distracted lately."I shook my head.Just then, my phone rang. It was an incoming call from Owen Shepherd. A painful twist hit me when I saw the familiar number on the screen.It took me a few long seconds before I finally answered.Owen's voice came through the line, distant and flat. "Vanessa just broke up with her boyfriend, so we're not inviting anyone's partner tonight. I don't want you to show up and make her feel worse."I bit my lip so hard I could taste the blood, that sharp, metallic tang grounding me at the moment. Whatever Owen said next was drowned out.I fought to ignore the pain and maintained a calm tone as I interrupted him, "Got it. I won't be there. Actually, I've got a work tr

Chapter 2

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,

Chapter 3

My colleagues were whispering amongst themselves, clearly taken with how well Owen and Vanessa seemed to go together, both strikingly attractive.Their eyes slid over to me, silently comparing me to Vanessa. It didn't take long for them to decide that Vanessa was the prettier one. The comments I overheard stung a little, but mostly, I felt a sense of relief.When everyone noticed how close Owen and Vanessa were, they pretended to be busy, but their eyes kept darting toward the three of us.Everyone at the company knew Owen and I were engaged, and I was madly in love with him. But now, he was standing by Vanessa without a second thought for me.My colleagues gave me pitying looks, their expressions saying they'd already imagined me sobbing, clinging to Owen, begging him not to leave. Those closest to me kept casting worried glances my way.I quietly packed up my things.Owen shot me an irritated look, snapping, "What's with the sour face? What are you doing?"I gave a calm smile

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

I'd been lost in so many dreams.One of them took me back to when Owen killed me in my past life, leaving Mom and Dad so grief-stricken. No matter how desperately I called out to them, they kept walking away from me.I snapped awake, the harsh scent of disinfectant stinging my senses.A familiar, worn figure was sitting by my bed. His eyes sparkled when he noticed me stir, though a fleeting thought seemed to make him pout."I happened to be passing by and thought I might as well help," he said.I noticed his hands were fully bandaged and gave him a smile. "Thanks for the help. It's been a while, Reuben."Reuben Mowbray was the younger son of Dad's friend. Growing up, he was always teasing me, and it led to plenty of fights with Owen. Since Owen didn't like him, I didn't exactly warm up to Reuben either. Eventually, the Mowbrays emigrated to grow their business abroad, and Reuben went with them. I never thought I'd see him again in Avendale, let alone have him be the one to save

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

In my past life, the Millars went bankrupt ten years after Owen and I married.I was shaken up when I heard the news. I ended up slipping and falling at home, and it caused my baby to be born prematurely.Owen rushed back from Faldora in the dead of night, waiting anxiously outside the delivery room. After an exhausting day and night of labor, I finally gave birth to a daughter.But before I even had a chance to see her, I passed out.I came back to my senses when a cold splash of water hit me. My eyes fluttered open, and I realized I was bound in a dark basement.Owen held a photo frame, staring at it with a look of deep affection, his fingers tracing the glass like he was gently touching someone he held dear above all else."Owen…" I murmured.He set the frame down carefully, then turned to me, his eyes sharp and emotionless. "You're awake, Audrey."The basement lights were dim. His gaze, once warm, was now filled with coldness and hatred as if I was no more than an enemy. I

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

Owen's face drained of color when my words hit him. He stayed on his knees, lost in thought for what felt like forever. His body swayed as he slowly got back up.Reuben shielded me behind him, his eyes sharp with caution.Owen let out a bitter laugh. He gave me a quiet, penetrating look before staggering away.…The next time I saw him was when he had abducted me. Vanessa curled into herself beside me, staring at Owen fearfully.She bit her lip, trying to seem vulnerable, hoping it would pull some shred of compassion from him like before. But Owen's gaze was locked on me, brimming with affection.Vanessa forced a weak smile and asked, "Owen, what are you doing? Ms. Millar is already married—""Shut your mouth, you shameless bitch!" Owen shouted in fury. "Audrey and I would never have split up if it weren't for you!"Vanessa's complexion went ashen.Owen continued, "Hurry up and explain to Audrey that I only stuck around because of your illness. I haven't done much that's unfor

Chapter 10

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

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