Chapter 3

"He's not coming back," I said.

After all, the first nine times ended the same way. I shouldn't expect any miracles.

But with the System pushing me, I still found myself clinging to a faint hope.

So I grabbed my phone and dialed Michael's number. After three rings, he answered.

"Sophia, can you stop being so unreasonable?" Michael's voice was impatient, with the sound of car horns in the background.

"Michael, I'm dying. Can you come back and see me one last time?" I tried to sound like Vivian, copying her tone and words.

After all, when Vivian said that, Michael dropped everything and ran out the door.

But I still didn't get it. I was not Vivian.

"Sophia, do you have a heart? Vivian got into a car accident and she is in the hospital fighting for her life, and you're here, threatening me with your life over some stupid movie you can pause anytime?" Michael snapped.

"No, I'm not—" I wasn't threatening him. I really was dying.

But Michael didn't let me get another word in. "If you think threatening me is gonna work, go on, tell me. How are you going to die?"

His voice was icy. It sounded like he was an audience member watching a drama unfold.

I answered honestly, "Heart failure."

"Seriously?" Michael sneered with disdain. "All that to watch a movie with me? You're jinxing yourself. That's a new low."

"Michael, trust me one last time, okay? I swear this is the last time I'll ever bother you."

Michael gritted his teeth, his words a bit muffled. "Seriously, Sophia? Is that all you can say?

"Didn't I promise I'd watch the movie with you when I get back? The art show? The next one is in the city next door, and I got us VIP tickets.

"And that sunrise we missed before? I booked a hotel on the island so we won't have to freeze waiting outside all night.

"Didn't I ask you to give me a little time? Why do you always have to be so pushy?"

"Because I really can't wait anymore. Can you put me in the first place this time?"

This was the last time and the only one. I wondered whether Michael could stand by me once since we had known each other for ten years.

"Vivian is in the hospital. Do you think she can wait?" Michael shot back coldly. "Sophia, how did you get so heartless?

"Vivian is fighting for her life, and you're still hung up on making me watch a movie with you? You let me down."

"But—" I tried to tell him that Vivian only twisted her ankle but didn't finish my sentence.

"Enough. Stop making a scene. You've got two choices: either stay home and wait for me, or I'll block you right now. Your call." With the screech of brakes, Michael hung up.

I guessed he'd pulled into the hospital parking lot.

I set my phone down and let out a self-mocking laugh, staring at the ceiling. "See? I told you it wouldn't work."

The mission failed. I was dying, but Michael didn't believe me.

I was ready to face death calmly. But then my phone suddenly rang. My spirit floated above, powerless. All I could do was watch as the call kept coming in.

Maybe the ringtone had been going on for too long. Linda, our maid who was resting in her room, patted her cheeks to wake herself up and climbed out of her bed.

She pushed the door open and walked in, drawn by the sound. "Mrs. Hawthorne?"

I didn't respond.

Linda didn't wake me up, and she answered the phone herself.

Normally, she wouldn't answer the phone without permission, but since it kept ringing, she worried it might be urgent.