Evelyn's POV
I slowly opened my eyes but closed them immediately when I felt the pain. My head was throbbing in pain and I felt a sharp pain that left me breathless. Forcing myself to focus, I tried to move, only to realize that my limbs were unresponsive, weighed down by an unseen force.
Desperation etched across my features, I attempted to scream for help, but no sound escaped my lips, trapped in a silent scream of anguish. I heard the room door slammed open and soon a fight ensued.
“Evelyn?” That voice… that was familiar and in desperation to find out if my consciousness was playing a trick on me. There was no way I could be hearing the voice of my father…
“Evelyn wake up? Are you okay?” The voice came again and this time, I forced my eyes open and a gasp escaped my lips.
“Dad?” I called in disbelief. What was going on? What was he doing here? “A-Am I in heaven?” I asked and his brows furrowed.
Where was I? I darted my eyes around in wonder, but then he spoke again. “What are you talking about, Evelyn?” He asked with a frown on his face.
The room was dim, but I could still make out my surroundings as the light emanating from the lamp stand illuminated the room. The walls were rather familiar and the atmosphere… everything was undeniably familiar.
It took a moment to realize that I was in my room and the painting was just the same as I remembered. What was happening? Why was I in my room? I thought I was dying. No, it felt so real that the memory was engraved in my mind. Was that only a dream?
“Child, are you sure you're okay? Should I call Dr. Henry?” My father's voice cut my train of thoughts and I shifted my gaze back to him. Was he real?
I found this difficult to believe or fathom. I still remember he died of cance….my thoughts abruptly ended because I could somehow hear Caleb’s voice, whispering loudly and indignantly in my ears. ‘Your father didn't die of any bullshit cancer, it was I who killed him. I paid his doctor to place him on the wrong medications after forging a fake cancer test result….’
I went completely still. How come he was right in front of me and in my room? “Dad, is that really you? Or is this a dream?” I stretched my hand weakly towards him, while he growled in frustration.
“What nonsense are you spouting? Of course, I'm real. Why do you look so surprised? Do you know how worried I was because you were suffering from a fever yesterday?” He said with a frown, while I finally touched his face. Oh heavens, he felt so real. This wasn't a dream.
How could this be happening? I wanted an explanation but at the same time, I was too happy to care and without delay, I jolted up from the bed, ignoring the pain as I hugged him tightly. My heart was beating faster and louder than before.
“Oh my goodness, I'm just so happy,” I muttered. He was tense for a while, but soon patted my back gently. I never actually had a close relationship with him before, but I couldn't contain the happiness I felt when I opened my eyes and saw him for the first time in three years.
“Alright, that's enough. You have an engagement party to be at, Evelyn, so do well to get dressed now that you're awake,” he informed me as he pulled away.
My eyes widened in shock and disbelief. “Engagement party? With whom?” I asked, looking at him with a perplexed expression.
His brows creased and he seemed taken aback. “Evelyn, don't tell me you forgot your engagement party with Caleb. Everyone is getting prepared and few of the guests are here. Soon you'd be called down, and you're still not dressed,” he explained, but his voice sounded faint as the only thing replaying in my head at the mention of Caleb, was the memory of him holding the metal vase and hitting me with it.
This was my engagement party with him? How? I was getting lost and confused. “Dad, what's the date?” I inquired, and my voice fell into an octave.
“This is April fourteen…” he trailed off as he tried to comprehend my expression, but I was also confused.
He didn't have to say the year because I already knew what year it was. This was the year and the same month I got engaged with Caleb, and today was our engagement party. Was my prayer answered? Was I sent back to the past to actually rewrite my past? Was it even possible?
I wanted an explanation in simpler terms, but this wasn't a dream, and I was actually alive and reliving the day of my engagement party. I suddenly gasped again, but I covered my mouth with my hand. I was already engaged to Caleb and if I was correct, then in the following days, we'd be getting married!
Hell no! I couldn't make the same mistake twice, especially after being given a second chance.A knock resounded, drawing my attention. Soon a servant stepped in. “Sir, the guests are downstairs,” she informed me and my dad stood up.
“Alright, I'll be downstairs waiting for you. So hurry and ask the maid to assist you,” he sounded authoritative as always as he walked away.
The maid walked towards me while I slowly slid out of bed. I couldn't believe this, and although I felt a conflict of emotions, I couldn't help but smile happily. Whatever this was, had somehow gotten me back my father.
I quickly got dressed and went downstairs to meet the guests. This was another opportunity to prevent the past from repeating itself and I wasn't going to just let it slide down the drain.
The living room of the luxurious mansion was ablaze with dazzling lights and the murmur of high society mingled with the soft clinking of champagne glasses, an engagement party attended by the elite of the city. Among the sea of designer gowns and tailored tuxedos, one figure stood out.
I noticed a man standing at the corner. He was dressed in exquisitely tailored suits that spoke of wealth and refinement. His dark hair swept back from his forehead, and a faint smile played upon his lips, drawing the attention of almost everyone. With sharp features and piercing dark brown eyes.
I could remember him clearly. He was the uncle of Caleb. I had little memories of him because he only attended two occasions, which were my engagement party and wedding.
Despite his captivating appearance, he kept to himself, rarely speaking to anyone and always disappearing before dawn broke over the horizon. Rumors swirled around him like a cloud of mystery, each more fantastical than the last. He hated the spotlight but could never avoid it.
But standing here again after surprisingly being reborn and whirled back to the past made me feel foreign watching Caleb’s uncle stand so tall and confident. Or maybe it wa…
“Babe?” I heard a familiar voice that sent shivers down my spine, followed by a hand that came around my waist, causing me to jerk back in fear and irritation. I could tell whose voice it was, anytime, any day and anywhere. It was that of Caleb, my fiance who turned into my literal killer.
Turning around, I found him looking at me with a frown. His hair was styled back, framing a dashing appearance. However, if only I had fathomed the evil that laid within those gentle eyes. And if i was correct, our engagement party was the exact same period where he was already having an affair with Dana.
I gritted my teeth as I turned around, no longer blind to his claws and fangs that had gripped me and torn me into pieces.
“What's wrong?” He moved closer, and it took everything within me not to punch him so hard and fast, such that a teeth or two would have fallen out. And where was that whore of a friend? I almost forgot she lied to be sick just to miss the engagement party. She was such a bad liar, and I couldn't believe I fell for those lies before.
I froze when he suddenly wrapped his hand around me. “I don't want you touching me right now, Caleb.” I deadpanned, shoving him aside in the most gentle way that I could.
But the damn bastard didn't take me any serious. He laughed softly and snuggled me back into his body.
“Having cold feet already? You look beautiful by the way,” he murmured in my ears before pulling away. I could
see lust in his eyes. That was the only thing he ever felt for me. Lust.