All Chapters of Second Chance, Final Draft: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

"Your new book already has over 200 thousand subscribers. At this level, you're a shoo-in for this year's Blackwood Novella Prize!"My editor, Samuel Grant, clapped me on the shoulder.I snapped back to reality so suddenly that it startled him.Samuel pointed at my laptop. "Less than ten minutes left. You already set the scheduled release, right?"I looked at the screen. The timer was filled in.My hand hovered over the Enter key, but then I jerked it back like I had been burned.Samuel didn't notice anything off. He checked his watch, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door. "Everyone in the group chat is waiting. Publish it already. The publisher's got a dinner lined up for us.""Wait. I need to confirm something first."I didn't explain. I pulled out my phone and opened Bryan Vega's X page. Three minutes ago, he had posted something, along with a long image.[Murder on the 13th Floor. Do you know who the killer is?]I opened the image.After just a few lines, all th

Samuel's words hit like a bucket of cold water, snuffing out the hope I had just managed to build.Why couldn't I change anything, even after getting a second chance? Was I supposed to spend the rest of my life living under Bryan's shadow, unable to write a single thing of my own?To avoid any unnecessary risks, I left my main phone out on the balcony and stayed off my computer entirely. So how was Bryan still getting his hands on my work?On X, Bryan blew up overnight after dropping two mystery novels back to back.Content farms pushed his stories everywhere. Readers flooded the comments, urging studios to buy the rights and turn them into films as soon as possible.Someone asked him where his ideas came from.He replied, [I haven't written in years, and the first book I start gets copied. That caught me off guard. Good thing I released mine early, or I would have no way to prove the truth. This story is a warning to plagiarists. What goes around comes around. My talent and idea

Three days later, my mother and I set out on a trip.In Aurelion, I stood before ancient temples and listened as guides spoke of the prophecies left behind by long-dead kings. In a fog-choked castle somewhere in Eldermoor, I heard locals whisper about the legend of the Gray Lady.Everything I saw and heard lit up my mind with ideas, but I never once picked up a pen.At a small café near Virell Square, I watched the crowds rush past while my mother reached over and took my hand."Life isn't just about that one thing you're chasing," she said softly. "A cup of hot coffee and a bite of cake can be happiness, too. Just remember, your dad and I will always have your back."After four months on the road, my head finally felt clear again. I went home to learn the family craft from my dad.I stayed so busy, I barely had time to breathe. My father walked around smiling, as though he had just won the lottery.One night, he took me to a gathering with a few of his old friends when my phone

After that incident, Samuel never brought up screenwriting again.I gave up on the idea as well and threw myself into learning the craft from my father, working without complaint.Over the next few months, Bryan released three new books, and every single one blew up. His novels were printed in massive runs, and the merch tied to them sold out the moment it dropped.Around the same time, Paige posted a video officially announcing her relationship with him.[Ahh, my favorite couple is finally real!][I'm screaming! They're perfect together! Please stay like this forever!][So when's the wedding? We're all waiting on our invites!]LED billboards across the business district looped ads for Bryan's latest release. I pulled my coat tighter and walked past without a second glance.When I got home, my mother was in the living room, watching TV. On the screen, Bryan was being interviewed by reporters.She froze when she saw me, then reached for the remote to turn it off. She was worrie