Chapter 3

Back when the three of us hung out together, I'd mostly watch Gerald and Isabella laughing and chatting with that easy chemistry, feeling a bitter ache in my chest.

But now, I just watched them, feeling nothing at all.

I was already thinking about what excuse I could make to leave halfway through.

The night before I jumped, it was Isabella's death anniversary.

Gerald, who was always out living it up, actually came home for once. He flashed me that gentle smile, but every word felt like it was cutting straight to my soul.

"Amelia, remember when someone cornered you in the alley behind school in your senior year? I was there that day, watching from the entrance," Gerald said.

The floor-to-ceiling window caught my reflection. My face had turned deathly pale in an instant. I would never forget that day.

I was cornered in the alley behind school by a group of students. They called me a murderer, lined up to slap me across the face, and tore my books to shreds, scattering the pages all over the alley.

Finally, they made me kneel and repeat, "Isabella, I was wrong," a hundred times.

I did it, numb and hollow, because that was the only way they'd stop.

On graduation day, I thought it was finally over. I tried my best to forget all those awful memories and locked away everything that reminded me of Isabella.

I thought I could finally start over.

But seven years later, Gerald told me he was there the whole time, just watching as I was humiliated.

Gerald used to hold my hand and watch me grow up like a big brother. But that day, he just stood by, unmoved, while I was bullied, slapped, and forced to kneel and confess.

Gerald leaned in, speaking softly in my ear, as if he was just talking to himself.

He said, "Oh, and Amelia, your mom's sick, but you can't afford her treatment. Your dad's old, working construction, and threw out his back. Every day's a grind for them.

"All of this is because of you. They could've had an easy life, but now they're stuck paying for what you did."

My gaze grew emptier and emptier with every word Gerald said.

Turns out, as long as I was still breathing, as long as Gerald was part of my world, this nightmare would never be over.

Death was the only escape, the only way to pay for my "sins" and finally break free.

On the way, Gerald called the manager of his family's club and arranged for an exclusive private room that wasn't open to outsiders.

Listening to him handle everything with such calm authority, I suddenly remembered what Gerald was like after we got married.

From what I recalled, this side of Gerald only showed up after he inherited the family business.

Did he time-travel as well? Just thinking about it made me tense.

No matter what, I couldn't let Gerald notice anything off about me.

If Gerald time-traveled, and the same drama from the previous timeline started all over again, I'd still be the only one he'd see as responsible for Isabella.

After all, I was the only one who knew Isabella's secret.

In the private room, Isabella blushed as she picked a love song and invited Gerald to sing along with her.

Everyone started teasing them, egging them on.

To everyone else, Gerald, always the gentleman, and Isabella, pretty and resilient, were basically a perfect couple. Everyone figured it was only a matter of time before they got together.

I just sat there, totally bored out of my mind. This birthday party felt like it would never end.

Suddenly, the door to the private room swung open, and an elegant lady in a custom-tailored outfit appeared in the doorway.

"Gerald?" she called out.

It was Gerald's mom, Leslie Herbert.

Her presence was commanding, and the lively chatter in the room instantly died as soon as she stepped inside.

When her eyes landed on Isabella, practically glued to Gerald's side, she gave the tiniest frown. But when she glanced over at me sitting in the corner, her face instantly broke into a warm, welcoming smile.

She said, "Amelia, I was wondering why Gerald pulled so many strings to get this private room at the club. Turns out you wanted to come hang out."

I had no choice but to awkwardly stand up. "Mrs. Herbert, actually..."

"It's fine." Leslie cut me off, her smile full of kindness. "I was supposed to meet a client here today, but Gerald just took over my private room. I thought he was doing it for some shady person."

She added, "Whenever you want to come by, Amelia, any private room in this club is yours. No matter how fancy."

The air instantly turned awkward. Gerald's expression soured, and Isabella's face fell for a moment, but she quickly plastered on a smile.

I was about to say something, but Leslie cut me off.

She said, "By the way, Amelia, make sure you and your folks come over this weekend. I've got a new chef who's great at cooking all your favorite food."

"I…" The words stuck in my throat, but I couldn't come up with any excuse to say no. So I just managed a dry, "Thank you."

Leslie walked out looking satisfied, but I couldn't relax at all.

Thankfully, everyone quickly moved on, and soon the room was buzzing with laughter and chatter again.