Chapter 5
The laptop was open, and Rowan was in the middle of a video conference. The soft, slanting rays of the setting sun filtered through the floor–to–ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over his tailored suit and balancing out the cold, aloof aura he naturally exuded.
My heart raced, and I felt my ears flush red. With usual sharp intuition, Rowan looked up when I opened the door. He paused when he noticed my outfit, taken aback.
I awkwardly cleared my throat and ensured no one else was around before I walked out with a flushed face and sat across from Rowan. Checking my phone, I discovered Miles had called five times and sent a dozen texts in the dead of night. I must have been too out of it to hear the ringer.
Could it be…
I eyed Rowan thoughtfully. He seemed engrossed in his work, not acknowledging my presence. Fine, two could play this game. I crossed my legs, letting them swing in his peripheral vision, not caring if I was daring.
Suddenly, Rowan’s voice faltered in his meeting. After a brief pause, he said, “Let’s wrap it up here for today,” and ended the call. Leaning back in his chair, he pinched the bridge of his nose, “Sonia.”
“Oh, last night, it was ‘sweetheart, and now, it’s just ‘Sonia‘?” I teased, nudging his leg under the table. “Mr. Crawford, did my phone ring last night?”
Rowan lowered his gaze, serene as ever, “Not that I recall.”
“Really?” I leaned over the desk, tugging at his tie to pull him closer. Despite his calm exterior, he was just a young man to me. “Sonia, this is work time,” he reminded me, maintaining a formal tone. I might have bought his composed act had it not been for his slightly uneven breathing.
“Alright,” I said, giving him a light kiss. “Do you want more?”
He hesitated before admitting, “Yes.”
I kissed him again. “I’ll be next door, waiting to go home with you after work.”
Back in my room, Miles called again. “Sonia, I’m out of the hospital.” His voice was hoarse, heavy with sleep deprivation.
I was stunned. “Why did you leave?”
“I’ve had enough of it,” he replied, dejected. “If there’s no hope for recovery, I’d rather give up. I want a calm life with you.”
I frowned. “There’s no chance for us, Miles. I’ve gotten married.”
“What about me?” he questioned. “What happened to our promises? Is it because of my scarred face that you don’t like me anymore?”
Words failed me. “You said we had to break up for your career to take off.”
“But you promised to wait for me.”
“And how long was I supposed to wait?” I sighed. “You had countless opportunities but left me waiting.”
My Uncle Samuel was a man who’d do anything to achieve his goals. My parents left me with the Atkinson family after my birth and moved abroad to start new families. I became nothing but a pawn in the Atkinson family.
When Miles was dazzling audiences on the big screen, Uncle Samuel had cornered me with no way out. That night, I called Miles repeatedly, but he ignored every call. The following day, watching his on–screen kiss, my heart broke, and I reluctantly agreed to Uncle Samuel’s plans.
Miles asked, “Have you fallen for him?”
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Chapter 5
I replied without hesitation, “Yeah. I love Rowan.”
After that, Miles never contacted me again. I thought long and hard about how to catch those who wronged me in the past life, knowing I’d need Rowan’s help. First, I’d have to convince him I had a second life to keep him from committing me.
“After her rebirth, this heroin starts investigating the enemies who wiped out her family in her past life. Having inside knowledge is quite advantageous. Aren’t you curious about how she turns the tables?” I lay across from Rowan, animatedly recounting yet another rebirth novel to him–my third this month.
Rowan listened intently. “If you like it, I could fund a TV adaptation.”
“It’s not about me liking it. Do you like it?”
He glanced at my creased shirt and sighed, “If you like it, I like it.”
I pressed on, balling my fist as a pretend microphone. “So, what are your thoughts?”
Rowan hesitated. Lately, things between us had been going pretty well. He was incredibly accommodating, practically following my every whim, yet I sensed there was still a barrier.
“Rowan,” I said sternly, pulling my chair closer, “I think it’s time I told you.”
He set down his fork, ready to listen. “Go on.”
“Actually,” I began with dramatic flair, “I’ve got a second life.”
There followed a long silence.
Rowan raised an eyebrow, his lips pressing into a thin line. He was trying not to laugh.
I pointed at him, “See, you don’t believe me!”
“Continue, Sonia.” He forced a straight face, “I believe you.”
So, I threw caution to the wind and recounted the events of my past life. At first, he listened like someone humoring a child’s story, assuming it was my new game. But gradually, his brow furrowed. I knew I was hitting
the mark.
“The person who stabbed me was named Lionel, a former employee of your company who went independent. Of course, it was ten years ago, so I don’t know where he is now. Also, my Uncle Samuel was involved, and you should watch out for Mil-”
A shrill ringtone interrupted me mid–sentence. Rowan and I glanced at the phone screen displaying the caller ID: “Miles.” In my oversight, I hadn’t updated his contact name.
Rowan’s expression shifted back to his usual reserved demeanor as he stood and picked up the plates. “I’ll do
the dishes.”
That feeling of avoidance returned. Rowan was still afraid. I clenched my teeth, grabbed the phone, and followed him into the kitchen.
He stood at the sink, back to me, turning on the faucet.
I hit the speakerphone button, and Miles‘ familiar voice filled the room.
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Chapter 6
