Romans & histoires I Got A New Life You Would Hardly Recognize Me

AURORA- Our life isn’t normal. Our life isn’t normal. Our life isn’t normal. Our life isn’t normal. Our life isn’t normal. Our life isn’t normal. Our life isn’t normal. Our life isn’t normal. Our life isn’t normal. Happiness detests me… I'm a detestable person. Happiness detests me… I'm a detestable person. Happiness detests me… I'm a detestable person. Happiness detests me… I'm a detestable person. Happiness detests me… I'm a detestable person. Happiness detests me… I'm a detestable person. Happiness detests me… I'm a detestable person. Happiness detests me… I'm a detestable person.

I could hear it. I yanked her hand away and smiled more brightly. “Until a few days ago, I lived a very quiet life, trust me. I never talked back. I never fought back. I let people use me, abuse me. Sadly, that me is not working, anymore. She is dead. My life here has turned me into someone new, someone I always wanted to be. This me will talk back, will fight back.” I paused and exhaled a shaky breath. “But the first one I fight back to shouldn't be you but...” “His highness.”

You changed my life in a moment And I'll never be the same again You changed my life in a moment And it's hard for me to understand With the touch of your hand in a moment in time All my sorrow is gone I never thought that I could change Could change so much in so many ways I'm still surprised when I look in my mirror To see that I still look the same You changed my life in a moment And I'll never be the same again You changed my life in a moment And it's hard for me to understand With the touch of your hand in a moment in time

If I was going to disappear and start over, then Sofia Moretti needed to vanish too. I stared at my reflection in the rearview mirror, wiping at the single tear that had escaped down my cheek. "New life," I whispered. "New me." And for the first time in a long time, the words didn't feel like a desperate lie. They felt like a plan.

I had been gone for years. Long enough to build a life that didn’t shake when my phone buzzed. Long enough to stop looking over my shoulder. Long enough to forget the sound of his voice in my head telling me who I was supposed to be. I had a new name. A quiet job. A small apartment filled with sunlight and peace. I had learned how to breathe again. And then one day… he found me. Not the way I expected. No dramatic confrontation. No accusations.

I nod my head in response and look straight, feeling the plane taking off slowly from the ground. We were finally leaving this place behind. I took this chance and look out of the window, admiring the beauty of my hometown. “Goodbye,” I say softly, placing my palm on the window and feel a tear roll down my cheeks. Mom grasps my hand and says, “Don’t worry. You will make many friends in New York. Don’t think about what happened anymore okay?” I gave her a sad smile and look away. Never look back at this place again and move on. This will be my new beginning. I repeat this in my head a hundred times before I drift off to sleep wondering what my future will be like...

But when I saw Tatiana's name on the screen, I was genuinely shocked. In both lives, we had never exchanged a private phone call. We both loved Matthew. In my past life, I refused to give him up, and she hated me for a lifetime. She even taught my own son to reject me. In this life, I retreated first. I removed myself from everything and escaped to the far Northern Territory. I never imagined we would speak at all. After a moment's hesitation, I answered. "Why aren't you coming back for the Full Moon Festival?" Her voice was stiff and unfriendly. It completely lacked warmth.

“Well, congratulations! I must admit that it’s all a bit sudden.” I smiled wordlessly. It was sudden. Even I was still coming to terms with the fact that I would be getting married in just one week. And to a complete stranger, no less. I finished packing and was loading everything into the car when my phone rang. It was Ella. I did not want to answer at first, but then I remembered how she nearly burned down the kitchen last time. With a sigh, I answered. Her saccharine voice came through the line. “Have you gotten the desserts?”

I asked, watching as the space around us turns clear, with only a slight fog. "I just want to say that this; giving you a chance to come back to life was one of the greatest decisions I've made. Not only have you gone off the rails, you also have managed to carve your own source of happiness." I said nothing, as out of nowhere, he began to float, laying back with his arms down to his sides, the scythe keeping him balanced. "But I know you have something up your sleeve. So please, make it worth my while." he said, as a skeletal version of himself walked out from him and disappeared.

I'm ready to live again. *********************************************