Hass_Kolss

Astrid Thornwell wakes up one fateful morning on her 15th birthday, finding herself back in a world that should be familiar, but feels strange and distant. After surviving a traumatic event in her future—a controlling marriage to her husband, Darian Thornwell—Astrid finds herself mysteriously transported to a time before everything changed. Yet, as the fragments of her past life begin to resurface, she is haunted by memories of her tragic marriage and the man who had once trapped her in a suffocating union.

In this timeline, her mother, a constant source of warmth and love. Their bond is unbreakable, and Astrid cherishes the traditions they share, especially the comforting, symbolic family meals of spaghetti. But there’s a catch: while her mother is still by her side, the fear of losing her son if she doesn’t marry Darian looms over Astrid’s every choice. Her son, a symbol of her future, will never exist if she alters her past in any way.

The silver pocket watch that her mother gave her holds a mysterious power, guiding Astrid through the moments of doubt that plague her heart. But with every passing day, Astrid wrestles with an agonizing question: can she change her fate without losing what matters most? Torn between the hope of creating a happier life and the fear of erasing the son she’s come to love, Astrid must decide if she can rewrite her destiny—or if fate has already been sealed.

As Astrid grapples with the weight of her memories and her love for her son, she faces a pivotal choice: will she choose safety and let fate unfold, or will she take the risk of altering her life and challenging the course of her future, no matter the cost?

5 reasons of hating you

Finally, I arrived at the meeting place. Miraculously, no one had caught me sneaking out of the mansion, so for now, I was safe. As I scanned the café, trying to steady my breath, I heard a voice call out my name.

I turned to see a girl with red hair tied in a ponytail, dressed stylishly for our age. She waved enthusiastically, and beside her, a pink-haired girl smiled at me awkwardly. I walked toward them, feeling a twinge of unease.

As I sat down and glanced around at the group helping to plan the high school reunion, I realized something unsettling: I didn't recognize a single face. Did I come to the wrong table? They all seemed to remember me, but I couldn't remember them. I didn't even know their names.

One of the girls, the pink-haired one, spoke up.

"I'm surprised you came to help plan our high school reunion," she said, her voice light but curious.

"Uh…" I stammered, unsure of what to say. The truth was, I was bored out of my mind at the mansion. There was nothing to do there.

The pink-haired girl tilted her head. "Don't get me wrong, isn't your birthday tomorrow? I figured you'd be busy, planning your birthday and all."

What? I blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"

Before I could process it, someone else spoke up. "Oh yeah, you two were best friends back in high school. You were inseparable!"

I froze. Best friends? I didn't remember her—any of them, for that matter. I forced a smile, trying to cover my confusion. "Yeah," I muttered, laughing awkwardly with them.

As the conversation continued, I slowly started picking up pieces. The pink-haired girl's name was Sadie Carter, and the red-haired girl was Audrey Morgan. They said we'd been friends back in the day.

It hit me all at once. I had been so wrapped up in Darian, so focused on him, that I had completely lost touch with these people. They were a part of my past, but I had let them slip away as I fixated on him.

Before I could process that thought, someone else entered the café, his presence instantly recognizable.

"Well, someone's finally decided to show up."

I looked up to see Darian standing at the door, his cold eyes scanning the room. My stomach twisted.

"I'm sorry, everyone, I'm late," he said, his voice smooth but laced with authority.

I met his gaze, and a shiver ran down my spine. His eyes burned with that familiar hatred, as though they were telling me everything I'd been dreading—that I was going to be punished the moment we were back at the mansion.

As the meeting stretched on, I felt the pressure of Darian's presence weighing on me. Finally, he spoke again, his voice sharp.

"I'm so sorry, guys, but my wife is getting tired," Darian said, pulling me close.

Audrey nodded understandingly. "Of course, you two go ahead."

I knew what was coming. Darian wouldn't let me leave the mansion again. But as he ushered me out, a wave of emotion hit me, and I couldn't hold back the tears. They fell, hot and fast, as I tried to hide my face.

"Looks like she's really tired from working," Darian said, his tone cold. He didn't care. He never did. "Come on, let's go home."

I covered my eyes, mortified by the tears that I couldn't stop. My heart raced, and I felt smaller than ever, embarrassed in front of everyone I didn't even know anymore.

Friends?