chapter 4

Adrian’s POV.

The empty bottle sits on the dining table. Vitamin B, the label says. I found it in the dustbin.

“What is this really?”

My mother doesn't look up from her tea. She shifts in her chair, bracing herself.

“Vitamins. I told you. For that wife of yours.”

“She has a name,” I say quietly. “Elara.”

“Elara.” My mother tastes the name like poison. “The pianist. The one with no family, no money, no…”

“What is in the bottle, Mother?” My grip tightens around the bottle.

She sets down her cup, her eyes meet mine, cold and unblinking.

“Birth control. Someone had to protect you from your own stupidity.”

The words land like a slap. “You lied to me?”

“I've been protecting you. Sophia is the one you should have married. She has connections, money and a future. That girl you dragged to the altar has nothing.”

“It's none of your business who I marry,” I reminded her, trying not to lose control.

“Everything about you is my business.” She stands, her voice dropping to a hiss. “I built this family. I will not watch you destroy it for a pair of pretty hands that play piano.”

I want to scream, I want to hurl the bottle against the wall.

Instead, I turn and walk away, my bedroom door closed behind me. I lean against it, the pill bottle still in my hand.

Elara thinks it was me, my jaw tightens.

I didn’t want her to see the divorce papers, but she did, and I still can’t process it.

Yes, Sophia wants marriage, and yes, I would have divorced Elara… but not like this. My heart still aches whenever I remember the pain in her eyes as she signed those papers.

Why does my heart beat faster when I see Elara? For ten years, I told myself it meant nothing. It was easier that way.

I avoid contact with Elara, it’s easier not to look at her. Not to notice the things I shouldn’t.

Sophia is the right choice, that’s what I have always told myself.

But Elara…

My mind drifted back to the lady that played Chopin in the conservatory garden the day we met. I stood behind a pillar and watched, and I couldn’t breathe.

I’ve never told anyone this.

Never learned her name. She transferred schools the next year, and I told myself it didn’t matter.

Years later, I can’t remember her face, but I marked her by the bracelet.

I found that bracelet in Sophia's hands. And I convinced myself she was the same girl. The one I had never forgotten.

Yet my heart keeps drawing me to Elara.

I tell myself taking away the piano is punishment for what she did. But the silence punishes me more. I crave to hear her play.

A knock jolted me out of my thoughts.

"Sir, madam has packed her things. She's driving out."

“What?!” I exclaimed.

Without thinking, I run through the mansion, out the door. Rain pours down. I see her car pulling away.

"Elara!" I scream. She doesn't stop.

I turn and run inside, grab my phone and keys.

“Adrian, come back here! Don't chase after that barren woman!” My mother yells but I ignore her.

I dial Elara's number, no answer. Again, nothing.

I get to my car and drive out. Dialing her number, I let out a sigh of relief when she picks.

“Elara! Where are you? Pull over!'"

Silence. Then the line goes dead.

I push the accelerator harder, rain blurs the world. Then I see it, her car crumpled against a tree. I stumble out, run to her.

She's limp. Blood, so much blood.

"No. No, no, no." I hold her. "Elara…please, come back.” My grip tightens.

“Stay with me.. Don’t do this…" My voice breaks.

Suddenly, headlights. Too bright. I wince. A trailer comes out of nowhere. Before I can react, I scream and throw my body over Elara.

The last thing I remember is saying her name. "Elara."

Then darkness takes over.

I groan as I open my eyes, my head pounds. A white ceiling, familiar. Not a hospital…my room.

I sit up too fast, the room spins.

I glance at my body, no pain, no bandages or stitches. I touch my chest, my arms, my face. Nothing, not even a scratch.

That's impossible, the last thing I remember was the headlights….impact.

So why am I here?

"Elara!" I throw the covers back, ready to run, to find her…Then I see the calendar.

The morning after our wedding.

My hand freezes on the bedpost, no. I blink…look again but the date hasn't changed.

I stumble back. My legs hit the edge of the bed and I collapse onto it, staring at that calendar.

Ten years ago.

I drag a hand down my face slowly, forcing my breathing to steady. So this is what it is.

A second chance.

If I am reborn, it means Elara, she's here, before the pills, the divorce and accident. My fingers curl slowly against the sheets.

I won't let it happen again.

But first, I need to find out if what my mum said about her is true.

“If she lied… I’ll deal with it.” My gaze hardens.

“But this time, I will decide.”