A silent vow

Anne found herself floating in clouds. The sky stretched endlessly in every direction, painted in pale gold and ivory hues. It was peaceful and surreal—like a dream.

The ache in her body was gone, replaced by a strange lightness. She looked around in awe. "Am I dead?"

"Anne." A voice floated toward her from behind.

Anne turned. A woman stood there, radiant and ethereal, draped in a flowing white gown that shimmered like moonlight. Her face was serene, eyes warm with affection.

"Who are you?"

The woman only smiled.

Anne's gaze swept across the endless expanse of clouds. "Where am I? What is this place?" She gazed back at her. "Can I stay with you?"

The woman stepped closer. "My child, you can't be here. You have to go back."

Anne shook her head. "I don't want to go back. No one cares about me. Everyone is cruel. That world is full of malice and betrayal. Let me stay here with you. Please."

The woman's smile never faltered. She stroked Anne's hair. "You have to live for yourself. Find your happiness." She stepped back a little and then shoved her down.

Anne stumbled, heart lurching in terror. "No, don't leave me," she cried, arms flailing as an invisible force yanked her downward.

The woman's figure grew smaller, fading into the light above. "You will find true love," her voice echoed faintly. "Cherish it when it comes."

But Anne barely heard the words. Panic consumed her as she fell faster, the wind whipping past her ears. She screamed, reaching for anything to hold on to, but there was nothing—only the endless fall.

With a jolt, she landed and found herself standing right at the doorstep of Denis's office. She stood, breathless and trembling.

Anne blinked, disoriented. Had it been a dream? A vision? Or something more?

"I am pregnant. It's your child." Those words rang in her ears. She blinked in disbelief, eyes snapping toward the familiar scene before her she had witnessed not long ago.

'Didn't I die?' she wondered in her mind, looking down at herself. She was still holding the cake box she had bought to celebrate her birthday with Denis.

The memory of cold asphalt, glaring headlights, and the taste of blood flooded her senses. But there was nothing now—no pain, no bruises.

"It's a result of that night."

Anne's head snapped up. The same words. The same setting. The same betrayal unfolded before her eyes. Everything was repeating like the clock rewound itself.

'What is happening? Am I reborn?' Her fingers tightened around the cake box as realization struck. Fate had given her a second chance.

Anne didn't want to be killed again. Her face hardened. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't beg. And she certainly wouldn't stand there like a fool, watching them destroy her all over again.

'You killed me in my past life, Tania,' Anne thought. 'But I won't give you that chance this time.' Without a word, she turned and quietly slipped away. She tossed the cake box into a nearby trash bin and walked down the street, not caring about the drizzling.

Even though she decided to let go of him, it still hurt. She couldn't stop her tears from falling.

'Why am I crying for that man?' she thought bitterly, wiping her cheeks. 'He isn't worth it.'

The ache in her chest tightened, but she forced herself to straighten her spine. She had cried enough, loved enough, and lost enough.

Glancing up and down the street, Anne searched for a taxi, but the weather had cleared the roads of any passing cars. With a resigned sigh, she pulled her coat tighter around herself and kept walking.

Two figures stumbled out from the shadows of a closed shop, their laughter echoing.

"Hey," one slurred. "Look at this beauty. All alone and soaked. Should we help her out?"

His companion chuckled, staggering forward. "Yeah, don't want her catching a cold."

They laughed and approached her.

Anne's heart clenched as panic surged through her veins. Every instinct screamed at her to run. She spun around and quickened her pace. But the men were faster.

"Where are you running off to?" one sneered, cutting her off and blocking her path.

Anne stumbled back, chest heaving. "Get out of my way," she snapped.

The taller man grinned. "It's raining, sweetheart. No cabs around. Why not come with us? We'll keep you warm." Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her into his chest.

"Let me go!" Anne screamed, struggling against his iron grip.

The man only laughed, his breath reeking of alcohol as he leaned closer, inhaling the scent of her rain-soaked hair.

Anne's stomach churned with disgust. Desperate, she drove her knee upward, striking him square in the groin.

"Argh!" His laughter morphed into a pained howl. He doubled over, clutching himself as he staggered backward. "You bitch! You're dead!"

The other guy pulled out a knife and lunged at her. Anne barely dodged, adrenaline overriding her exhaustion. She shoved him aside and sprinted down the street, ignoring the searing pain as the knife grazed her hand.

"Stop right there!" the man roared, both of them now in furious pursuit.

Raindrops pelted her face, blurring her vision as she stumbled forward, gasping for breath. Her legs screamed in protest, her chest burned with every gulp of air, but she didn't dare slow down.

Blood dripped from her hand, though Anne barely registered it. All she wanted was to escape them. She ran as fast as she could.

Then she spotted a man standing beside a sleek car, holding the door open as someone slipped inside.

Hope ignited in her heart. Heart pounding, Anne pushed her exhausted body harder.

"Help," she cried. "Please help me."

The man inside the car craned his neck out, only to see a woman rushing over.

The two men stopped as they saw the scene. They stepped back and fled.

Her legs buckled as she reached the car, one hand clutching the open door for support. "Help me, please. Those guys…"

Before she could finish her sentence, darkness swept over her like a cruel wave, and her knees gave out.

"Hey…" Augustine moved without thinking, arms reaching out just in time to catch her limp body. "Gustave, help her in."

"Sir." Gustave hurried around the car, carefully lifting Anne into the back seat. She slumped against Augustine, her head resting against his chest.

"Give me a towel," Augustine commanded.

Gustave reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a neatly folded towel, passing it back He ignited the engine and asked, "Where to, sir?"

Augustine glanced down at the woman in his arms for a moment and said, "To my place."

"Understood." The car sped away.

Augustine gently wiped the raindrops from her face, his touch uncharacteristically tender. He brushed damp strands of hair away from her cheeks. "Why are you like this?" he murmured, his gaze softening.

~~~~~~~~~

The car glided to a smooth stop in front of an elegant, modern house. Gustave stepped out first, rushing to open the back door.

Augustine scooped her up in his arms and carried her in. "Call the doctor."

Gustave nodded, already pulling out his phone as he followed.

Augustine carried Anne straight to his room and carefully lowered her onto the bed.

Anne stirred, her brow furrowing as consciousness slowly returned.

"You're awake," Augustine said quietly, lowering himself onto the edge of the bed.

Anne opened her eyes frantically and saw a man beside her. She panicked instantly. "Step back," she exclaimed, scrambling toward the edge of the bed.

Augustine blinked, momentarily taken aback. Then, a flicker of amusement crossed his face. "You forgot me already? Not long ago, you were begging me to save you."

Anne froze, the recognition dawning on her. It was indeed the man she had asked for help.

"Don't worry. I don't take advantage of a helpless woman." He rose to his feet, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "You are safe here."

His words embarrassed her even more. "I… I'm sorry," she stammered, lowering her gaze. "My mind was muddled. I didn't recognize you."

Augustine rose to his feet. "No need to apologize. Just get cleaned up and change your clothes. I've already called a doctor. He'll be here soon."

He turned to leave.

"Thank you," she said, "for saving me."

He paused, his posture stiffening. A few blurry images flashed in the back of his mind. In his past life, he had accidentally hit her with his car, killing her. That guilt he still carried in his heart.

"Hmm," he hummed softly. "Change quickly. Don't catch a cold."

He walked out, his gaze hardening. 'No matter what, I'll protect you this time,' he vowed silently.