Chapter 1
Before my mom died, she left me three matches that could take me back in time.
I used the first match to go back to the night Caleb Hart was drugged.
I helped him avoid the drugged drink, and no one came between us again.
Our marriage was fine, and things started looking up.
I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
I became the Mrs. Hart that every woman in the circle wished they could be.
When a car crash happened, Caleb shielded me with his body, taking the brunt of the impact. He was badly hurt, and after everything the doctors tried, he still passed away.
Without a second thought, I struck the second match.
I avoided the moment he was meant to die.
I thought I'd never have to use the third match.
But then, Caleb dropped an ultrasound report in front of me. I stood there, frozen.
His voice was icy. "Cindy's four months pregnant. It's my kid."
My ears were buzzing, as if I were trapped in a dream.
Caleb continued, "Surviving that crash was the universe giving me a second shot at true love.
"You'll still be my wife, but stay out of Cindy's way."
The match in my pocket dug into my palm, almost breaking the skin.
I couldn't figure out how Caleb still remembered the car crash.
But he didn't think he could turn back time himself, did he?
The hospital's cold air sent a chill down my spine.
I finally blurted out the question burning inside me. "Why?"
Caleb's expression softened.
"Cindy's not like you. She grew up with nothing, always feeling insecure. The baby gives her something to hold onto, and for me, it's a promise.
"Besides, you and I have been together for fifteen, no, I mean, five years. Honestly, being with you now feels like holding my own hand, numb and routine," he replied.
I noticed his slip instantly.
It was in our tenth year of marriage that I found out about him and his secretary.
By then, our kid was already five.
He cut his wrist and wrote me a letter with his own blood.
He told me he'd been drugged and was forced to go through with it.
He transferred all his assets to me.
That was when I made a desperate move and used a match to go back to our fifth year of marriage.
But he mentioned fifteen years just now.
I tried to force myself not to fall apart.
"So, she's your true love?" I asked.
Caleb said, utterly nonchalant, "Yeah. I know it sounds crazy, but whenever I'm about to die, I get sent back in time.
"You're thick-skinned and never needed any sense of security.
"You were ready to run off with me after the SATs were over. You stole your ID so you could marry me.
"Evelyn, you're worthless."
I clutched my chest.
A sudden, sharp pain stabbed through my ribs.
It forced me to double over.
After the SATs, we planned to run away together.
But that night, he never showed up.
It was my parents who showed up instead.
I asked him why.
Caleb's eyes were red as he tried to soothe me.
"Eve, your dad's right. We're too young to promise forever. Give me a little more time, and I'll give you the best life. Then, I'll take you away, and everyone will know it's real," he told me.
I was so mad at him for breaking his promise that I started ignoring him completely. Even though we went to the same college, I acted like he was some random guy.
But in our sophomore year, he and some friends developed a game, and it made him some decent cash.
He took all the money he'd earned and went to my dad to propose.
But my dad still wouldn't agree.
Caleb smiled, didn't say a word, and went back to working hard to make more money.
I gritted my teeth, stole my ID, and got our marriage license with him.
He was putting everything on the line for our future.
So, I was willing to take the risk and marry him first, regardless of the consequences.
But now, Caleb looked at me, his eyes cold.
"You can divorce me if you want. But when that happens, you'll be on your own for your mom's medical bills," he told me.
Then, he answered a phone call and walked away.
I rested my hand over my chest, trying to steady myself.
Was it possible for someone to become this heartless once they stopped loving?
After my mom found out Caleb had no parents, she stepped in and took on the role of his mother.
She looked after us at the villa, keeping everything running and making sure we were taken care of.
Whenever someone called him an orphan or tried to insult him for not having a mom, my mom would grab a spatula and chase them down, ready to defend him.
Even though it was my second time coming back, my mom still ended up with cancer.
I got up and chased after Caleb.
It was me who could send him back in time!
It was me who saved his life!
What right did he have to betray me again?