Chapter 12
The months following our wedding brought a happiness I never thought possible. Randy told me he loved me every day. Our life was filled with sweet surprises and late–night conversations, making up for the thirty years we’d wasted in our previous life.
Until that trip changed everything.
Randy’s company proposed a team–building retreat at a picturesque mountain resort. Initially, we were both excited–this was our first getaway since getting married.
“You’ll love it there,” Randy said. “The tulips in the valley are breathtaking.”
I smiled and nodded, though uneasiness stirred within me. In my previous life, these were the same flowers Randy had wanted to show me, before it turned into a trip for three–him, me, and Beth.
“Will Beth be there?” I tried to keep my tone casual..
“Yes. The entire department is going.”
I nodded, telling myself not to overthink it. This life was different.
But when we arrived at the resort, everything seemed to repeat itself. Beth was constantly by Randy’s side, while I was surrounded by other colleagues. I told myself not to be jealous, but when I saw Randy peeling an orange for Beth, memories from my previous life came flooding back.
On the final day, weather forecasts warned of heavy rain and potential landslides. I suggested leaving early, but Beth insisted on staying one more day to visit a famous nearby attraction.
“Just one day, I’ve never been there.”
Randy looked at me, I knew he was waiting for my response.
“The forecast says there’ll be a downpour tomorrow. We should leave today.”
Randy nodded in agreement, but Beth looked disappointed.
“If you two must go, I can stay behind. I’ll find a ride back.”
I saw the hesitation flicker in Randy’s eyes, and my heart sank. Even in this life, he still had reservations
about Beth.
“We should all leave. Safety first.”
7.7%
J Chance at I ove
Chapter 12
That night, we packed our bags to depart early the next morning. Randy seemed distracted, and I knew he was thinking about Beth.
“You can check on her, make sure she’s packing too.”
Randy returned later than I expected, wearing an odd expression.
“Beth says she’ll leave with us. But she wants to ride in our car. Her colleagues changed plans at the last
minute.”
I nodded, trying to hide my discomfort.
The next morning, the downpour came as predicted. The three of us squeezed into Randy’s car, winding down the mountain road.
The rain grew heavier, visibility worsening by the minute. Randy gripped the steering wheel tightly, his expression tense. Suddenly, a thunderous crash–the mountainside began to give way.
“Look out!”
Randy jerked the wheel, trying to avoid the tumbling rocks, but it was too late. A boulder smashed into the front of the car, sending us spinning out of control.
In that moment, I saw
throw his arm across Beth, shielding her from harm. Meanwhile, I was
thrown sideways by the momentum, a searing pain tearing through my leg.
I never imagined Beth’s early death in
My previous life had affected Randy so profoundly.
I had believed our new life could completely erase the scars of our previous existence, but now I understood that some things cannot be changed, even by rebirth.
Beth’s influence on Randy had become ingrained in his character, part of who he was.
And I was left behind again, feeling that same betrayal, only deeper this time…
8
