This Life, A Different Vow Novels & Stories

“I’m scared people will look at me and see foolishness instead of hope. I’m scared my children will resent me for trying again. I’m scared of burying another man I love.” He stopped walking. He turned to face her fully. “I can’t promise you I’ll live forever,” he said. “I know that,” she said. “But I can promise you this,” he went on. “If I’m lucky enough to stand before you and make a vow, it won’t be about forever. It will be about today. And tomorrow. And every day I’m given. I’ll show up. I won’t run. I won’t hide behind work or a garden or my father’s name. It’ll be me. Just me.”

His Adam's apple bobbed as a hint of desperation flickered across his face. "Take them with you. Both Mom and I want you to have them." Gabriella shook her head gently. "I know what this gift means. That's why I don't want to accept it. I've already told you many times. Our story is over, so it's time to return to our rightful places." Every single word that she uttered was like blades that plunged themselves deep into Owen's heart. Owen stood in the snow and watched her retreating figure with wide eyes. She kept marching forward and didn't spare a single glance back at him.

Like a ball of flame, it raced through my body, threatening to turn both me and my unborn pup to ash. At that moment, I finally understood. Every vow had been a lie. My unborn pup and I had been nothing but a joke. I had been nothing but a mere tool. The last thread of light vanished, and darkness swallowed me whole. My consciousness began to blur. The red antidote—the only thing that could counter wolfsbane—was the final thread keeping me awake. Right then, cold and familiar footsteps echoed from the distance. I struggled to open my eyes, my vision blurry, only to make out two figures entwined together.

Bethany lowered her head and cried for a long time. I sent her the studio's address and contact information, then stood. "Work hard. Stop thinking about things you shouldn't. Life is long. Don't waste your time on someone else's man." I turned and left. Outside the cafe, the sunlight was bright. The comments exploded. [The villainess repaid resentment with kindness???] [I'm crying. She helped Bethany.] ["You don't even count as a supporting character in my life" is so fierce.]

I only catch fragments love, honor, duty. Things that mean nothing in a marriage like this. “Skyla Parker,” the officiant’s voice pulls me back to the present, “do you take Alonso Ignacio to be your lawfully wedded husband?” I swallow hard, the weight of the question heavier than I expected. This is it. The point of no return.

"Will anyone actually watch this?" Another firework lit up the sky. Warm yellow light washed over my face. I took a deep breath and gave the camera a small smile. "If someone sees this… then, I wish you peace and a happy, long life." I waved at the lens and shut off the camera. [In the Next Life — January 2, 2024, 10:01 AM — Don't Say You Forgive Me, and Don't Ever Forgive Me] "Hailey! Wait! Hailey! Hailey!" William rushed behind me, his voice urgent as he grabbed my arm. "Didn't you say you were going for chemo? What are you doing with the money?"

With a shaking hand, she pressed the phone to her chest and closed her eyes. This wasn’t how it was supposed to feel. There was no squeal of joy. No victory dance. Just this hollow ache in the center of her chest that told her something had shifted — something irreversible. The vibration startled her. Her phone buzzed again in her hand — another email. The screen lit up with bold letters: Final Confirmation Needed — Response Required Within 48 Hours. Zara inhaled sharply and held it. Two days. That’s all the time she had to decide between the life she once begged for… and the one she had just vowed to live.

My stomach flips Not with fear Just with the shock of how life brings us back to moments we once thought we lost forever Today is not a wedding It’s something different It’s the ceremony we created together because we didn’t want something big or loud or crowded We wanted something honest A promise renewal in front of only the people who stood with us through every storm No gown No altar No grand entrance Just us Just truth Just a vow rebuilt by two hearts that finally learned how to speak the same language He reaches out his hand I place mine in it Together we walk out of the room and down the stairs where only a few faces wait Lena My mother His father And the quiet peace that fills the en

With her new life seemingly playing out similarly to the last, she was certain it would go her way. In my previous life, I had conceived two black-finned mer-children just three days after consummating my marriage with Sheldon. Caroline had not conceived until six months later, and even then, it was only a red-finned offspring. However, despite her status as a Pregnancy Maiden, she was never strong enough to produce black-fins. I smiled calmly. "Then, I wish you many children and a long life, dear sister." I was not upset. Not in the least.

Zayn’s face was drained of all its color. “No! No, no, no! You don’t… don’t actually plan on joining a Buddhist convent or something like that, right? Y-You’re my wife, Fifi! We made promises to live the rest of our lives together! You promised me we would g-g-grow old together!” he fumed. He was livid. But at what? At whom? Himself? Faye? Or just how cruel and unforgiving reality turned out to be?