Part 1Second Chance: Escaping the Life I Was Meant to Live

When he said he wouldn't come home for the holidays, I packed my bags and returned to my hometown alone.

When he helped Eleanor rent the apartment next door, I moved my things out.

When he decided to take a permanent position at the local college, I applied to a university out in the Pacific Northwest.

In my previous life, when we were old and gray, even our two children urged me to divorce him.

All so that, after they passed, those two star-crossed lovers could be buried side by side.

* * *

Looking at the college acceptance letter in my hand, I nearly shed a tear.

No one knew that I had been reborn.

At the very last minute, I had changed my college application to the Pacific Northwest Engineering Institute.

Even my high school counselor, Mr. Harrison, was perplexed. "I thought your fiancé was staying to teach at the local college? If you go so far away for your degree, will he wait for you?"

At the mention of Oliver Smith, the image of his tall, youthful figure flashed through my mind.

Honestly, everyone thought I was the lucky one to have Oliver.

He was ambitious and handsome. I only had the right to stand beside him because of a childhood promise made by our families when we were kids.

I smiled and replied loudly, "Mr. Harrison, free love is the trend now!"

"That childhood betrothal our families made is just an outdated tradition, it's got to go!"

Perhaps he hadn't expected me to be so forward-thinking. Mr. Harrison patted my shoulder, his eyes full of approval.

Leaving the school, I followed the flow of the crowd toward home.