Part 3The Husband I Never Knew

When I stepped out of the room, I realized this was a charming two-story house.

Downstairs, Leo was quietly playing with a puzzle by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Sunshine streamed in, illuminating his long eyelashes. He looked like such a sweet, obedient kid, it instantly melted my heart.

I zipped over to him, startling him.

"Hey son, what are you playing? Mommy will play with you!"

Little Leo's eyes widened. He immediately stood up straight, like he was standing at attention, and mumbled softly, "Mommy."

I pulled him closer and gave him a big smooch on his soft cheek.

He touched his face, looking a bit surprised and happy.

Seeing his reactions, I could guess that the "me" from ten years ago probably wasn't very fond of this child.

Good thing Leo was young and didn't hold grudges.

I played with him for a while, and soon he was happily sharing his puzzle with me.

"Son! Do you only have puzzles to play with?"

Kids his age should have tons of toys.

Leo looked at me cautiously and said, "Mommy used to get mad when other toys were too noisy."

Oh no, the Ava from ten years ago was seriously messed up.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

It was Chloe.

When Chloe walked in, I almost didn't recognize her. Was this still my tomboy bestie?

She had grown out her hair, styled it in soft waves, and her makeup was flawlessly done.

I widened my eyes exaggeratedly and said, "Whoa, beautiful, who are you?"

Chloe rolled her eyes at me.

Leo, however, seemed very familiar with her. He ran up and hugged her, calling out, "Auntie Chloe."

Chloe ruffled Leo's hair and said to me, "Come on, let's talk upstairs."

I quickly led her back to the bedroom. Before she could speak, I quickly told her the whole story.

After listening, Chloe frowned and studied me, then she hit me with a question that made me pause: "How do you know you time-traveled and aren't just suffering from amnesia?"

Uh... good point.

"I remember the last meal before I time-traveled was beef stew with tomatoes at the school cafeteria-it smelled amazing!"

"I remember taking a test two days before time-traveling, and I even remember the questions. If I really had amnesia, I wouldn't remember details like that for ten years, right?"

Chloe raised an eyebrow but still didn't say anything.

She knew me as well as she knew herself.

I awkwardly pursed my lips and said, "Okay, fine. The day before, I'd just accepted Blake Thompson's confession."

Chloe's mouth instantly drooped, and she let out a cold laugh.

Then she rattled off everything that had happened in the past ten years.