Chapter 1

Caleb Vaughn and I spent half our lives locked in a miserable marriage.

Before the end, we glared at each other, hurling our most venomous curses, wishing to never meet again in another life.

He hated me for tying him down with marriage and children, robbing him of his dream to move to Los Angeles and become a singer.

I hated him for spending all his time partying while leaving his ailing parents and our two children solely in my care.

And then, amid the resentment, we were reborn.

Our eyes met across the crowd, and without hesitation, we turned and walked away in opposite directions.

This time, I hope neither of us regrets it.

Content

The day I changed my college application, Dad walked into my room, glanced at my computer, and gave an approving nod.

“Good. With grades like yours, you should go to a top university. Quit wasting your time running after that Vaughn kid. What’s so great about him anyway?”

Mom, overhearing from the kitchen, rushed in and tugged Dad out of the room, giving him a sharp glare.

I watched them leave, a bittersweet smile tugging at my lips before a sudden wave of sadness hit me.

In my past life, I had run out late at night to the Willow Creek Train Depot to find Caleb. My parents, worried, went looking for me and were hit by a drunk truck driver. I never got to say goodbye.

Swallowing my tears, I moved my mouse and pressed the confirm button on my application without hesitation.