Look Back Stories Novels & Stories

Ten Years Later – Manhattan, New York Her heels made a steady, repeating sound on the marble floor, like a ticking clock. Natalia Cruz didn’t stop or hesitate, even when the security guard at Carrington Global looked up with surprise. Of course, he recognized her name on the visitor list—after all, she was a well-known lawyer this year. But what he didn’t know, what no one here knew, was that she wasn’t just here for justice. She had unfinished business. And a secret she’d kept hidden for ten years.

Sarah wake up next morning feeling sore all over body, flashback of what happened yesternight came into her head and a warmed smile left her mouth. She looked around and her eyes welcome the familiar room she knew since she was young. It hasn't change since she left. She walked lazily out of her to the bathroom and notice some little things change in there, like her toothbrush was replace with another one and all her bath bomb was nowhere to seen. She signed; well, she didn't expect it to be the same as she left it months ago.

Sarah inquired, curious. "That I can't keep giving everything away." Sarah's expression softened. "There she is again." Ann looked up. "Who?" "The Ann I remember." Ann smiled. "I don't think I remember her anymore." "I do." Sarah said and reached across the table. "You were ambitious." Ann laughed. "That was a long time ago." "You wanted your own company." "I remember." "You wanted to become a senior executive before you turned thirty-five." Ann's smile faded. "I remember that too."

Everyone was bustling about, and no one noticed that I had just awakened. I looked up and caught sight of the wall clock. Only one hour remained before I would have to return to the future. On the small hospital TV, they were replaying footage of last night's once-in-a-century meteor shower. The shooting stars were beautiful, but unfortunately, I had missed them again. Indeed, it seemed my wishes were destined to remain unfulfilled. I was lost in thought until footsteps approached, followed by Sophia's tired yet joyful voice. "You're awake. Ethan has regained consciousness too, thanks to your timely blood donation last night."

But with the support of family and friends, and as time passed, I healed faster than I expected, leaving the past behind me. The only downside was how often people got hurt at the hunting grounds here. It kept me so busy that I'd lose track of time and end up working late. Sometimes, the exhaustion made me feel sick. I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. A little over a month later, Jimmy—the Alpha of the Warwolf pack—invited me to join him for an outing in the hunting grounds. We'd grown up together, but after I met Jerry, I moved to another pack and we lost touch. Jimmy was thrilled when he heard I was coming back, and kept asking me out to eat every now and then.

After moving to the city alone, I rented a small room near a movie theater and picked up a job there doing odd tasks. In my last life, I loved watching movies. But whenever I suggested going for one, Nathaniel was mostly against the idea. He'd scold me mercilessly, saying it was a complete waste of time. Now, it felt like I was making up for that regret. I practically threw myself into work every day. Before I knew it, half a year had gone by in the city. I'd gone from just another worker doing grunt work to a junior manager at the theater.

Rows of green and red lines danced across three or four monitors, and almost every stock movement fit my forecasts. That day, I had just finished a board meeting when someone burst into the conference room. It was Sean. My breath hitched. Old, buried pain hit me again the moment I saw him, but I waved the others out and told them to leave. His eyes were bloodshot. He stared at me like I’d done something unforgivable.

My wealth began to snowball, growing rapidly. … One year later. On an ordinary afternoon, I drove aimlessly through the city. By some twist of fate, I returned to that familiar intersection. I did not get out. I parked, peering through the tinted windows, quietly observing. Cars streamed by as crowds surged past. Students in uniforms walked across the crosswalk, laughing and teasing in small groups. Sunlight spilled over their young faces, filling them with hope and dreams for the future. I suddenly understood that the one who died in prison in my previous life was not truly my past self.

When you play with other people's hearts, you should pay for it. I clapped my hands again. Dozens of women stood behind me, hand in hand. The livestream was still running. Comments flew across the screen. The first woman spoke. "My name is Paige Turner. I dated Mr. Bennett for three days before he dumped me because I was not a virgin." The second woman spoke.

Mark leveled me a guilty glance as he knocked the piece of meat off his plate and warned the others, "I have a girlfriend now. Stop talking about the past." I thought I saw with the corner of my eye that her face cycled through shades of embarrassment like a malfunctioning traffic light. Still, she was keen on playing drinking games after dinner. As for me, having already gained plenty of knowledge from today's conversations, I got up, picking up my bag. "Everyone, please enjoy yourselves. I still have work to do, so I'll be going." With my goal achieved, I didn't have the time to waste with her. That was when Mark got up with me. "I'll give you a ride."