Second Chance
1959 Words
Andrea Cullen POV
"How are you feeling, ugly wench?" Kelsey spat, her voice dripping with venom as she revelled in my misery.
I narrowed my eyes, summoning every ounce of strength to glare back at her. "w***e!" Funny. I just got out of prison today and now I'm on the verge of dying.
Pain coursed through me, but my mind couldn't stop replaying the choices that led to this moment. It all began with Martin—the man I loved and trusted. His betrayal shattered my life and tore my family apart.
Memories of happier times—laughter, love, and the warmth of a home I once knew—flashed through my mind. Their stark contrast to the present deepened my torment. How had everything unravelled so completely?
Rain relentlessly pelted my bruised, mud-covered body, each droplet stinging as it mingled with the filth that encased me.
"You won't get away with this!" I spat, defiance lacing my voice despite my battered state. "You and your minions will pay for my family's suffering!"
Kelsey sneered, her laughter cutting through the storm like shards of glass. "Pay? Sweetheart, 'I' ended your family, and soon, I'll finish you too." With a cruel smirk, she slammed a hockey stick into my stomach.
The pain was blinding, but worse than that was the question haunting me: 'Who was truly to blame? Me? Martin? Kelsey?'
Regret twisted in my gut as the answer came, bitter and undeniable. My parents had warned me time and again that Martin wasn’t the man I thought he was. But I had been blinded by his twisted version of love, and that blindness had led to this nightmare.
Kelsey's voice sliced through the haze of my thoughts. "Die, you b***h!" she snarled, striking me again.
My resolve wavered as darkness began to close in, wrapping its cold fingers around me.
'No. I can’t…' My whispered plea was swallowed by the storm.
As my strength faded, I clung to a desperate hope, a silent vow: 'If I get another chance, I'll make them all regret what they did to me.'
---
Drip. Drop.
A chill ran through me as something cold trickled over my body. My eyelids fluttered open against the pain, and I took in the sight around me. Rain poured from the dark sky, soaking the mud that clung to me.
'Am I dead?'
The question lingered for a moment before the cold rain brought clarity. No, I was alive.
‘Is this a second chance?’
Summoning what little strength I had, I pushed myself upright. The rain plastered my hair to my face, and my clothes clung to my trembling body.
A sound broke through my thoughts—a faint, persistent noise. I scanned the area until my gaze landed on a flash of light in the mud. My phone.
Fumbling with shaking hands, I picked it up, squinting at the screen. The name displayed sent a wave of agitation through me: Martin McAdams.
'For this man, I spent a year in prison in my past life. Took the blame for his crime. And this is what he left me with?'
He caused the accident, and like a fool, I took the blame. Even when my family opposed it, I severed ties with them.
I answered, putting the call on speaker.
"Andrea, baby, where are you?" His voice was sweet, dripping with false concern. "It's Christmas Eve—we’re supposed to spend it together, make it special, and wake up to a great Christmas tomorrow."
I closed my eyes, revolted by how those same words used to make my heart flutter. Not anymore.
"f**k off," I said sharply, ending the call without waiting for his response.
As I stared at the dark screen, a bitter laugh escaped me. ‘So, this is my second chance at life—and on Christmas Eve, no less. Looks like God has already given me my Christmas gift.’
I remember this day vividly—Christmas Eve. It was the day I had the accident in my past life too. Yet, the details remain hazy, as if shrouded in fog. All I recall is being taken to the hospital by an unknown man and waking up to Martin showering me with love—love that I now know was nothing but a lie.
Now that I think about this whole accident, I’m certain it was something Martin and Kelsey planned together, just so I’d fall even more in love with Martin after seeing how much he cares for me.
I stared at the screen for a moment before letting out a slow, steady breath. 'No more. I won't be the same Andrea who falls for lies. Not now. Not ever again.'
With shaking fingers, I dialled the person I desperately wanted to talk to.
"Hello, Andrea."
"Mom..." My voice cracked as tears mingled with the rain on my face.
"Andrea? What’s wrong? Are you okay?" Her concern was immediate, her voice trembling.
I wanted to scream, to tell her I wasn’t okay, that everything was falling apart, but I bit back the words. She didn’t need to hear it. Not now.
"Could you send a driver? I need to come home," I said, gripping the phone so tightly it hurt.
"Andrea, please tell me what’s going on. Are you hurt? Where are you?"
"I’m fine, Mom," I lied, giving her my location as quickly as I could. She hesitated, sensing the falsehood, but agreed to send someone immediately.
As I ended the call, a sound nearby froze me in place—a groan.
Turning toward the noise, I noticed a faint trail of blood leading into the bushes. My heart pounded. 'What now?'
Pushing past the foliage, I found a man slumped against a tree, blood seeping from a wound on his side.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” I said nervously, my voice trembling. “I heard your groan and came to check.” Even though my situation was no good, this man had it worse than me.
He looked up, his eyes sharp despite his obvious pain. “Who are you? Want to hurt me?”
“It’s not like that,” I insisted, stepping closer.
He winced, his body tensing. “Leave. My people are on their way.”
But I couldn’t just walk away. Not after what I’d been through. Not after I’d been given a second chance. "Let me help," I said, crouching beside him.
He narrowed his eyes. “And why should I trust you?”
“You don’t have to,” I replied, tearing a strip from my camisole to press against his wound. “But I’m not leaving you to bleed out.”
His gaze softened for a fraction of a second before hardening again. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
“Maybe not, but I know what it’s like to be left for dead,” I muttered, as I tore my dress and wrapped it around his wound.
Before he could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the tension. A towering figure emerged from the shadows, his sharp gaze darting between us.
"Sir." Whoever this man was, it was clear he knew the wounded man better.
“Take him to the hospital,” I said, standing quickly.
The man nodded, his expression unreadable. "Miss, as a thank you, may we offer you a ride?”
Before I could reply, the sound of a car horn caught my attention. My driver had arrived.
“No, but thanks for asking,” I said, turning and walking away without looking back.
The drive home felt surreal, the memories of the night replaying in my mind like a broken record. As the car pulled up to the familiar driveway, I felt a strange mix of relief and dread.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by the worried eyes of my mother. She took one look at my mud-soaked state and frowned deeply.
"Andrea, was this Martin’s doing?" she asked, her voice tight with anger.
In the past, I would have defended him, made excuses. But not anymore.
“No, Mom. Martin had nothing to do with this. I got lost in the forest and fell into a mud puddle,” I lied smoothly. “I’ve decided to call off the engagement.”
“So suddenly?” Her eyes widened in shock, but I caught the flicker of hope beneath her surprise. “Andrea, are you sure?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “You were right about him. I was wrong.”
“Oh, sweetheart…” Her voice wavered, but she quickly composed herself. “I’m just glad you’re okay. You’re still so young—there’s no need to rush into anything.” I knew she was relieved. My family had hated Martin with every fibre of their being.
And now, I hate him too. There was no way I was going to prison for him again or defy my family for him.
“True, I won't rush anything,” I said softly.
Krish, my younger brother, bounded into the room, his bright smile a welcome sight. “Andrea! You’re back!”
I knelt down to his level, pulling him into a tight hug. “I missed you, Krish.”
He grinned. “You look different today. Happier.”
I ruffled his hair. “I’m still me, little man.”
Mom sighed, her voice laced with concern. “Andrea, you’re soaked. Go take a bath before you catch a cold. Krish, you too!” As we both are muddy now, due to me hugging him.
Laughing softly, I nudged Krish toward the stairs before heading to my room.
The familiar scent of my childhood room wrapped around me as I stepped inside. It had been a year since I’d last been here, but it felt like a lifetime - but that was all past!
Stripping off my muddy clothes, I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the grime—and the pain of the past.
After drying off, I changed into fresh clothes and made my way downstairs, where the smell of home-cooked food filled the air.
“When’s Dad coming?” I asked, sitting at the table. I really missed him.
“Dad!” Krish's voice broke through my thoughts. “Andrea is waiting for you too.”
My eyes scanned my father’s face—how much I had missed everything. Because of a man like Martin, I lost it all.
But not this time.
“How are you, sweetheart?” he asked warmly. “I’m surprised to see you.”
I stood up and hugged him.
“Dad, I heard Andrea talking. She said she’s going to call off her engagement.” Krish stated. This kid really has ears for everything!
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“It’s all on you, sweetheart. I’m glad you’re rethinking this decision,” he said as he broke the hug and kissed my forehead.
This is my father—the one who always supports me. Even in the past, when he was angry because of Martin, he still managed to be the best father anyone could ask for.
At least I’d been reborn two years back, which would save me from a lot of trouble, and I already knew everything that was going to happen.
Yet, I don’t remember saving a man like I did in the present. Maybe it’s a good deed tied to how I was granted this second life.
“Right! We should celebrate it with Christmas.”
“I agree. I’m invited to a Christmas party tomorrow, so let’s take Andrea too. Do you want to go, baby?”
“Sure!”
- Writer
