Second Chance

Eve's body felt numb. She slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurred as sunlight leaked through the curtains. 

A dull ache spread through her head, her body feeling sore, as if she had been in a deep, unnatural sleep. Everything felt distant, like a dream; a dream before everything was ruined. A dream of a life that once held happiness.

She sat up abruptly, her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the surroundings with disbelief. This was her room. 

She took a shaky breath and looked more carefully. No, this wasn't just familiar, it was exactly the same. Every detail was identical to how it had been years ago. The bedspread, the wooden dresser, even the faint scent of lavender from the old candles she used to love. Her heart raced. What is happening?

Panic surged through her. Her fingers gripped the sheets tightly as her eyes wandered around the room, searching for any explanation. Was she dreaming? Had she lost her mind? Did she not die? Suddenly, a knock on the door made her jump.

Before she could react, the door creaked open, and an all too familiar face stepped inside.

Mr. Song.

Eve's breath caught in her throat as she saw him, his expression filled with relief. "Miss Eve, you're awake," he said, exhaling as he stepped closer. He carried a glass of water in his hands before passing it to her his movements gentle and cautious. "How are you feeling?"

Eve didn't answer. She just stared at him, wide-eyed, as if he were a ghost.

Mr. Song frowned at her reaction, tilting his head slightly. "Miss… is everything alright? Do you need something else?"

Eve felt her hands shake as she clenched the sheets beneath her fingers. He was real. He was right in front of her. The kind, loyal butler who had always been there for her, who had watched over her like a guardian when no one else did.

He looked exactly as he had before everything went wrong. Before she had ruined herself. Before Lucas had destroyed her life.

A wave of memories crashed over her. Mr. Song had been the first person to know about Lucas. She had secretly dated him for months before finally bringing him home for lunch. She remembered the next morning; how she had been having breakfast alone, as she usually did, when Mr. Song had hovered nearby, hesitant, yet unable to keep silent.

"Miss Eve," he had said, standing by the dining table. "I only wish for you to be with someone who truly loves you, more than anything else in this world."

She had misunderstood him back then. She had thought he was talking about Lucas. She had smiled, believing that even Mr. Song could see the love Lucas had for her.

She had been so naive.

She clenched her jaw, feeling the sharp sting of regret, her heart twisting at how blind she had been. She had even laughed that morning, telling Mr. Song about how she and Lucas met, how "amazing" he was. 

Her grip on the glass in her hand tightened. Too tight. Before she could stop herself, it slipped from her grasp, shattering as it hit the floor. A sharp pain shot through her palm.

"Miss!" Mr. Song cried, his face paling as he rushed forward. He grabbed a towel from the dresser and quickly wrapped it around her bleeding hand. "Stay still, I'll call the doctor"

Eve barely heard him. The pain. The sharp sting of the cut, the warmth of the blood seeping through the towel; it was real.

Her breath came in short gasps. This wasn't a dream. It couldn't be.

She forced herself to look at the wound, at the deep red that stained the white fabric. If this was just a dream, then why could she feel the pain?

Her thoughts were spiraling when suddenly

RING. RING.

The sharp sound of her phone made her flinch. She turned her head slowly, eyes landing on the device buzzing on the bedside table. She didn't reach for it. She simply stared, frozen, as the call rang out before finally stopping.

The moment of silence was deafening.

Eve swallowed hard before hesitantly picking up the phone. The screen lit up in her hands. Her wallpaper. The date. The year.

Her stomach dropped.

April 5th.

She felt her entire body go cold.

Her grip slackened, and the phone slipped from her fingers, falling onto the bed. This can't be happening.

Her breath grew uneven as she stumbled out of bed, her head spinning. She felt dizzy, lightheaded, but she forced herself to walk; her legs carrying her toward the full-length mirror on the other side of the room.

Her reflection nearly made her collapse.

She looked younger. Much younger.

Her fingers trembled as they touched her own face, as if confirming that what she was seeing was real. Her skin was unmarked by time, her eyes no longer held the exhaustion of the years she had lived through.

She was twenty-four again.

Eve started pacing, her mind unable to grasp the impossible. Was this really happening? Had she somehow… gone back?

She felt her breath hitch. If this is real, if this is truly the past… then everything can change.

She froze, her heart pounding against her ribs.

Lucas.

She had a chance. A chance to make different choices. A chance to avoid him.

Her fingers curled into fists, determination settling deep within her.

This time, I won't let him ruin me.