Chapter 3

Raquel's voice trembled with anger. "So just because she's sick, I deserve this? Joshua!"

Her eyes were red. Her shoulders shook. She looked like she was falling apart.

Joshua said, "I'm sorry."

I felt my eyes welling up.

I wondered why he was apologizing on my behalf. It was not my fault, and it was not Joshua's either.

Just then, Joshua's phone rang.

He was getting a call from my number.

Joshua's eyes flashed with irritation as the kidnapper's voice came through the phone.

The kidnapper sneered, "Hey, kid, I killed your girlfriend.

"She screamed so violently that I cut out her tongue and gouged out her eyes.

"Then I chopped her up and dumped her on the top of Mount Eielliafor."

I wondered how he could get a call from ten years ago.

Before I could even react, Joshua snapped, "Alice, when are you going to stop with this drama?

"How could you send someone to corner Raquel at the office? Do you even realize how bad this could get?

"Alice, you're an adult now. Get over here right now and apologize to Raquel."

The kidnapper cut in, "Enough with the crap. If you hurry, maybe you'll get to pick up what's left of your girlfriend."

Joshua snapped, "Cut it out, Alice!"

The line crackled for a moment before going dead.

Joshua said, "Raquel, can you please not call the police yet? I'll bring Alice over to apologize to you.

"Anything you want, just say it."

Joshua looked at Raquel, his eyes full of guilt.

Raquel bit her lip, her face full of hurt and frustration, but she stayed silent.

After a long silence, Raquel finally spoke up. "Joshua, aren't you going to pick up Alice?"

Joshua's face darkened. "She's impossible!"

Joshua wasn't going to bother heading to Mount Eielliafor for me.

But it didn't matter. Even if he went now, he wouldn't find me.

Ten years had already passed.

I felt miserable, so I just walked out alone.

I wished that Joshua would not be with Raquel.

He deserved someone better.

I drifted back to the house Joshua and I once shared as newlyweds, and there, I found my old diary.

It read: [September 11th. I had another episode. I was terrified. There was blood everywhere. I just wanted it all to end.

[[Joshua rushed home, held me tight, and cooked for me.

[But Raquel said he missed an important meeting and got chewed out by the boss.

[I'm sorry, Joshua. I didn't mean for any of this to happen.

[September 18th.

[It was Joshua's birthday, and I wanted to make him some sweet and sour ribs.

[But the knife scared me, and I messed everything up. The kitchen was a complete disaster.

[Joshua ended up cleaning it all. Why am I so useless?

[Raquel said I was holding Joshua back. The company was supposed to send him overseas.

[But I can't leave him.

[September 29th.

[I hit Raquel, and then I got into a huge fight with Joshua.

[I know they're just colleagues, but I just can't help myself.

[They seem like a perfect match, and I just can't keep my feelings in check.

[I'm sorry, Raquel. I'm sorry, Joshua.

[September 30th.

[It's my birthday, and it's also our anniversary.

[If only I hadn't called Joshua ten years ago.

[If I had died ten years ago, none of us would be suffering like this now.

[If only time could turn back...]

Funny thing was that after all these years, it wasn't just Joshua who was haunted by regret. I was, too.

My birthday wish came true.

Without me dragging him down, I hoped that Joshua could finally live his life the way you want.

"Alice!"

Joshua's voice came from outside the door.

He was leaning against the doorframe, his voice sounding exhausted.

"Alice, Raquel didn't do anything wrong. Tomorrow, you're coming with me to apologize to her.

"Alice, I'm begging you, just stop this, okay?

"Don't make me hate you."

I couldn't respond to Joshua's voice.

He turned to leave, but after a moment, he knocked on the door. "Alice, come out and eat.

"Don't run away from this."

My tears fell onto the diary, and the words I once poured onto these pages slowly faded away.

Line after line, page after page.

Until the entire diary disappeared right in my hands.

The butterfly effect from ten years ago was finally starting to rewrite the future.

I watched as my hands became increasingly see-through, and I floated into the study.

Joshua was asleep, his head resting on the desk.

I used the last of my strength to enter his dream.

"Joshua!"

In his dream, I could finally speak. I called out to him, happier than I'd been in years.

He turned around and wrapped me in a hug.

He said softly, "Alice, don't be scared. You're just sick.

"Let's apologize to Raquel tomorrow, okay?"

I shook my head desperately. "Joshua, I didn't do it.

"It was Raquel who set me up. Joshua, please, don't fall for her. Don't be with her."

Joshua looked exhausted. "Alice, how can you just accuse someone like that without any proof?

"Why would she even bother to set you up? For a guy like me, who's already broken?

"Can you stop being paranoid all day? I'll be tired too.

"When did you become so vicious?"

I covered my mouth, tears streaming down my face, my heart aching so badly it felt like it might break.

I choked out, "I'm sorry, Joshua.

"You deserve so much better.

"I won't drag you down anymore. Goodbye."

I forced a smile and waved at Joshua.

This was probably the last time we'd ever see each other.

My tears were bitter, but I didn't mind.

I'm ready to move on. I hope next time around, I get to be with my family for good.

"Alice!" Joshua shouted, jolting awake.