Chapter 2

Then, out of nowhere, everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes, I realized I had somehow gone back in time to the year of my parents’ divorce.

At this moment, Mom still hadn’t discovered Dad’s affair with Vanessa.

She hadn’t confronted him yet or demanded a messy divorce.

Though it was the middle of the night, I wasn’t sleepy at all. Time was of the essence.

By tomorrow, Mom would find evidence of Dad’s cheating on his phone and blow up.

She’d lose control, and the whole nightmare would begin again.

I bolted upright, dashed out of bed, and banged on the door to the main bedroom.

This was my only chance to rewrite the past and prevent the tragedy from repeating itself.

Mom groggily opened the door, squinting in confusion. “Fiona, what’s going on? Why aren’t you asleep?”

Like a slippery eel, I slipped past her, locked the door, and dragged her to sit on the bed.

“Mom,” I said, “you need to listen.”

Then, I spilled everything I remembered about the future without holding back.

Why? Apart from myself, the woman who loved me most was the woman who gave me life.

I left out the part about my death, though. Instead, I rambled on about how to outsmart Dad and Vanessa.

Mom’s eyes were already red and brimming with tears when I looked up.

She must have sensed the words I didn’t say.

She wrapped her arms tightly around me, pulling me into her warm embrace.

Snuggling into her, I finally felt safe.

“Mom,” I whispered, “Dad’s been secretly installing cameras around the house. He thinks you might cheat on him, even though he’s the one cheating.”

“There are hidden cameras in the living room. Thankfully, he hasn’t gone insane enough to put them in the bedroom.”

I wouldn’t dare share any of this with Mom here at home if he had.

“Start gathering evidence quietly,” I told her. “Then file for divorce. When the time comes, I’ll choose Dad in court.”

Mom’s eyes grew misty, and looked like she wanted to say something.

I reached out and pressed my hand against her cheek. “Mom, trust me. I’ll make sure we have a good life. I promise.”

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