Chapter 2

When I realised I’d been reborn, the same group of men had just pinned me to the ground.

I struggled desperately, my mind screaming at me to run.

If only I could escape this alley, none of it would happen. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t control my body.

It felt like an invisible hand was crushing my heart.

Those disgusting sounds, the stench, it all made me sick as I went through the assault again, fully conscious this time.

But my mind was firm.

If fate had given me a second chance, it wasn’t so I could die again. I just needed to survive this moment. Everything could change after that.

I don’t know how long it took before they were done.

Just like before, they buckled their belts and walked away.

Finally, I could move again, the force controlling me was gone.

I regained control of my body.

This time, I didn’t lie there in despair, helplessly crying like before.

Using all my strength, I picked myself up, dressed in my torn clothes, and ran towards the alley’s entrance.

Gareth was waiting there, just like in my past life.

He reached out a hand, looking at me with that same concerned expression as before.

He looked like a saint, full of pity, as though he were looking down on a worshipper.

He was waiting for me to beg him for help.

I lowered my head and murmured, “Excuse me, sir. Did you see the men who just assaulted me?”

Gareth’s flawless expression cracked.

“What? What do you mean?” he stammered.

I smiled, coldly. “Surely you saw them? You were standing right here the whole time.”

Without waiting for his reply, I walked past him.

I clutched my chest, whispering to myself, "Not yet."

Right now, I was nothing more than a helpless schoolgirl. Even though my heart burned with hatred, I couldn’t touch Gareth. Not yet.

He was probably watching me walk away, wondering how to bring me more pain before swooping in again as my saviour.

When I got home, the house was empty.

Mum and Dad must have gone out looking for me.

Just as I picked up the landline to call Mum, I heard a familiar voice behind me.