Rebirth - part 1

Ariana felt the weightlessness first—a stark contrast to the crushing pain she'd endured moments before. Her senses fluttered back to life slowly, like a soft breeze awakening a long-forgotten dream. Her eyelids flickered, and then, as if drawn by some invisible force, they opened to an overwhelming expanse of golden light. It felt warm and soothing, like a gentle embrace enveloping her being. The peaceful stillness around her was so starkly different from the chaos that had marked her last moments on Earth. Ariana closed her eyes again for a brief moment, unsure whether this was a dream, some fleeting moment of peace before her torment resumed. But when she opened them once more, the light remained, vibrant and endless.

The ground beneath her was soft and cloud-like, but it didn't give way like fog; it was solid, yet filled with an almost ethereal lightness. Ariana stood up, her body light as a feather. There were no aches, no pains, no weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. She felt...free.

Around her, the atmosphere was filled with vibrant flowers of colors she had never seen before, their petals shimmering with a mystical glow. The air smelled sweet, like a field of jasmine after rain, fresh and intoxicating. It was a place that could be called nothing less than heaven itself. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked around, her heart still trying to catch up to the reality of the situation. The brightness didn't hurt her eyes—it was simply perfect, like a soft embrace from the universe itself.

And then she saw her. Standing before her was a woman of ethereal beauty. She was tall and regal in presence. Her flowing silver hair shimmered like moonlight, cascading gently down her shoulders, and her wings—gentle and glowing—curved gracefully behind her. The woman's eyes, soft and compassionate, with the shade of deep amethyst, holding timeless wisdom within them. She was draped in robes that sparkled like stardust, and her expression was both serene and knowing.

Ariana didn't need to ask who this woman was; she somehow knew. It was as if this being was a part of her fate, someone she was meant to meet.

"Welcome, Ariana," the woman said, her voice a melody that echoed within Ariana's heart. "I am Seraphina, your celestial guide."

"Where am I?" Ariana whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"You are in the realm of the heavens," Seraphina replied gently, taking a step closer to her. "The realm where souls are at peace. Your life on Earth has ended, but you are here now, because the heavens have granted you a second chance."

Ariana's heart twisted with confusion and pain. "Am I…dead?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seraphina nodded. "Yes, Ariana. Your life ended prematurely, tragically as well as unjustly at the hands of those you loved. But despite the cruelty and betrayal that ended your life, your spirit has remained strong, and the heavens have deemed you worthy of an opportunity to rewrite your fate."

Ariana's breath caught. "I'm dead, but… I'm here?" Her thoughts swirled in a haze. She thought back to those final moments—her heartbroken screams, her pleas for Lucas to see her suffering, the triumphant smirk of Sophia, the feeling of her body failing her as she bled out, helpless and alone.

"Yes," Seraphina affirmed, her voice softening. "Your journey on Earth was cut short by the malice of others."

Ariana's chest tightened as memories of her death flooded back—Sophia's smirk, Lucas's indifference, and her desperate fight to protect her baby. "My baby… What happened to my baby?" she asked, her voice breaking.

Seraphina stepped closer, her gaze tender. "Your child survived and is healthy. But…" She waved her hand, and a shimmering portal appeared before Ariana.

Inside the portal, Ariana saw Lucas holding her baby, a boy with soft curls and bright eyes, as Sophia stood beside him. They were surrounded by wealth and luxury, their smiles sickeningly sweet. The vision shifted to Mia—her only friend—pleading with authorities, fighting to expose Lucas and Sophia for their crimes. Mia looked gaunt, her determination unwavering but her strength fading.

"They took everything from you," Seraphina said. "Lucas and Sophia now live a life of luxury, raising your son as their own. They have manipulated everyone around them, erasing your memory from those who should have cared. Only Mia remembers and fights for justice, though she stands alone."

Ariana's heart shattered at the sight. "They can't get away with this!" she cried, her fists clenched. "They destroyed my life, my baby's future… I won't let them!"

Ariana's pulse quickened as she absorbed Seraphina's words. The weight of the truth hung heavily in her chest, yet something flickered inside her—a burning, impossible hope. "But how? How can I go back? What's the point? They've already taken everything from me. They've taken my life, my child…" Her voice cracked, and she bowed her head, overwhelmed by the weight of it all.

Seraphina stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Ariana's trembling shoulder. "I know the pain you carry, Ariana. I know the betrayal you suffered. But you are stronger than you realize. The heavens have seen the resilience of your soul, and that is why you've been given a choice. You can remain here, in the heaven of eternal peace, or you can return to Earth. The heavens have granted you a rare opportunity—to rewrite your fate, six years before your marriage to Lucas."

Ariana's eyes widened. "Six years before? You mean…I can stop everything before it begins?"

Seraphina nodded. "Indeed. You can protect yourself and your child from the pain and betrayal that befell you. But this path will not be easy. You will face challenges, manipulations, and temptations. The choices you make will determine not only your future but also the destiny of those around you."

Ariana hesitated, glancing at the shimmering landscape around her. The peace of this realm was enticing. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt no pain, no fear. Yet the image of her son, her precious child who was stolen and being raised by Lucas and Sophia burned in her mind.