Pov Author
Anna was falling.
The wind rushed past her ears, her heart hammering wildly against her chest as the ground came closer—closer—
And then—
Impact.
She hit the ground.
—
Anna's eyes snapped open.
She gasped sharply, her chest rising and falling as if she had been drowning. Sweat clung to her skin, her hair sticking messily to her face and neck. For a moment, she couldn't move. Couldn't think.
Just breathe.
Slowly, she turned her head.
The mirror in front of her bed reflected everything—her pale face, her wide eyes, the fear she couldn't hide.
She sat up, wiping her face with trembling hands.
"It was just a dream…" she whispered to herself.
But it didn't feel like one.
She forced herself to stand and walked into the bathroom. The cold water from the shower ran down her skin, washing away the sweat—but not the unease sitting deep inside her chest.
After getting dressed in a soft cotton top, black pants, and white shoes, she took one last look at herself.
Calm. Normal. Composed.
At least on the outside.
—
When Anna walked downstairs, the smell of breakfast filled the air.
Her eyes immediately landed on him.
Alex.
Sitting at the dining table like he belonged there.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
What does he want ? Why is he here ?
She walked forward anyway.
"Good morning," she said, greeting her stepfather, her mother, and Lily.
She sat down and began eating quietly.
Then—
"Oh, Anna," Alex said casually, looking at her. "Congratulations. I heard you won in archery."
Anna paused for a second.
"Yeah," she said calmly. "It was quite surprising for me too."
Her gaze shifted—and froze.
A hickey.
Right there on Lily's neck.
Anna sighed softly, looking away.
She already knew.
The basketball player...
"Anna!" Lily suddenly said excitedly. "Alex is taking us to the park today!"
Anna didn't even look up. "I don't want to go."
Lily pouted immediately. "Why? Why? I want you to come, please!"
"Please, Lily. I have a lot of things to do."
"What things?" Lily asked, confused.
Anna hesitated.
How could she say she was searching for a book that might not even exist?
A book lost to time.
A myth only ancient people spoke of.
"…Just important things," she said quietly.
But Lily wasn't giving up.
And in the end—
Anna went.
—
At the park, the sunlight was soft, the air calm.
But Anna's mind wasn't.
Lily laughed and chatted endlessly with Alex, her voice bright and carefree.
Anna sat alone on a bench, scrolling through her phone—but not really seeing anything.
She looked… worried.
Because she was.
She kept searching.
Searching for that book.
But no matter where she looked—
Nothing.
It was as if it had never existed.
She sighed, lowering her phone.
When she looked up, Lily was laughing again, acting childish around Alex.
And Alex—
His attention was on Lily.
Anna's lips pressed into a thin line.
I can't believe it...
They had both betrayed her in the future.
But not this time.
This time, she had decided—
She would not marry Alex.
She wouldn't marry anyone…
Unless it was someone she truly loved.
Her heart already knew one name.
Shou .
Something was wrong with this timeline.
It was different.
Not like the life she had lived before.
And she knew why.
William.
He had changed something.
And whatever this was—
It would cost someone.
Her…
Or him.
"You seem quiet."
Suddenly the silence break and Anna looked up.
Alex stood in front of her.
"I don't talk to myself in public," she said dryly.
He laughed lightly. "I do. Especially when I'm lonely."
Anna raised an eyebrow. "Really? You're lonely?"
"Yeah. Being the only son isn't fun."
She nodded slightly.
"Want to share what's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing's wrong, Alex."
"Okay…"
There was a pause.
Anna spoke again, her voice calm.
"Lily really likes you."
Alex sighed. "But I don't like her. I like—"
"No," Anna cut him off sharply. "Don't."
He froze.
"Don't like me. Like Lily. Choose Lily," she said firmly. "I want to marry someone I love."
The words slipped out before she could stop herself.
Alex stared at her. "Give me a chance, Anna."
She shook her head slightly. "I don't think we're a match. No matter what, I won't be in a relationship with you."
He exhaled. "In the future, your parents might make you marry me anyway. And look at Lily—she's too young for me. I don't want to go to jail."
Anna didn't react.
"At least get to know me," he continued softly. "Maybe you'll like me."
Anna looked at him.
And suddenly—
Memories flooded back.
Her wedding day.
The moment she thought her life was beginning.
His sweet words.
His promises.
Then—
Lily.
On top of him.
The messages.
The betrayal.
And the moment he sold her…
To William.
Her chest tightened.
She refused to be that person again.
Refused to be the third wheel in their story.
"…I'll think about it," she said finally.
Alex nodded.
But Anna knew.
He was stubborn.
He would try again.
Guilt. Manipulation. Anything.
—
On the way back, Anna sat in the backseat.
Lily and Alex sat in the front.
Lily talked the entire time.
Nonstop.
As soon as they reached home, Lily got out, pouting slightly.
Alex glanced at Anna.
"See that chatterbox? I won't last a second. She talks too much. It's irritating."
Anna looked at him calmly. "She's not irritating."
"Whatever," he muttered.
—
They walked inside.
And froze.
Her mother and stepfather stood there, dressed in black.
Anna frowned. "Where are you going?"
"A funeral," her mother said.
Anna's brows knitted together.
"Get dressed," her stepfather added. "We heard the Mr Raiden has passed away."
A pause.
"We need to go and see his wife…"
"And his son."
To be continued...