Chapter 2
When I was 17, my family went bankrupt.
Dad, cornered by debt collectors, took Mom and me to the Queensboro Bridge.
I remember the river that day–wild and roaring. He told me to sit on the railing.
His eyes, once so gentle, were bloodshot.
He looked at me, full of sorrow. “Arielle, don’t blame me.”
I closed my eyes, quietly waiting for the hands that would push me toward heaven.
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
But in the end, he ripped the cross pendant from his neck and shoved it into my hand.
My mom told me to go find Zaiden, he was her ex, he could be my stepfather and take care of me.
Then–right in front of me–Mom and Dad jumped into the raging river.
I sat by the river for a long time.
Until Zaiden found me.
He was mature and steady and always knew what to do.
After my parents‘ funeral, I was adopted by the Lowell family and moved in. But I couldn’t sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my parents jumping into the river.
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11:03
Chapter 2
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Zaiden took me to therapy. He tried everything to comfort me and stayed up with me night after night until sunrise.
Then, one stormy night, my depression took a dark turn. I tried to strangle myself.
He held me tight and rubbed my back, over and over. Even when I bit into his arm, skin and flesh torn–he never let go.
That night, I cried myself hoarse in his arms. And slept there till morning
As a teenager, how could I not fall for a man like that–kind, gentle, and always there for me?
I pushed myself to grow up fast. So I could finally tell him how I felt.
But I never got the chance. His beloved, Sonia, died because of me.
He hated me after that, so
wasn’t it
you instead?”
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
and kept asking, “Why
And still–when the flood hit–he didn’t hesitate. He stood in front of me.
Zaiden was perfect in every way.
Except–he loved me like family.
And I loved him with guilt in my heart.
In my past life, when his mother heard the news, she couldn’t stop crying.
His father pointed at me and cursed.
“Arielle, you’re insane! A walking curse–you’ll only be happy when everyone around you is dead, won’t you?”
I remembered Zaiden’s last words to me.
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11:03D
Chapter 2
“I spoiled you.
“If only… I never brought you home…”
He regretted it.
And honestly, so did I.
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Clutching the cross pendant to my chest, I begged–in the next life, please don’t let Zaiden ever meet me again.
When I woke up, the fine cracks on the cross pendant proved it wasn’t a dream.
This time, I won’t repeat the same mistakes.
I’ll pay any price-as long as Zaiden lives a safe, peaceful life.
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
