Chapter 2 BETRAYED, REBORN

CHAPTER TWO- BETRAYED, REBORN

~LUCY POV~

I regained consciousness to find myself in the hospital, still reeling from the pain in my head after hitting it hard on the floor.

As I glanced at the clock, I saw it was already 11:15 a.m. I couldn't believe my husband would treat me like this, even after knowing I had cancer.

That Jerk!

"Your persistent abdominal pain and weight loss are indications of cancer ma'am. Specifically, you have stage IV gastric cancer. I'm afraid but you have less than three months to live. It's best to go home and inform your family to prepare for the worst." The doctor's words remain etched in my memory.

Why am I always unlucky? I've failed in life, my marriage isn't what I hoped for, and now I have less than three months to live. Overwhelmed with emotion, I couldn't help but break down in tears. To make matters worse, my husband didn't bother to check on me after what he did last night. I think I should just go home, maybe he's had a change of mind this time.

I quickly changed my clothes and left the hospital.

"Taxi!" I hailed, waving at an approaching car. "Please take me to Westheimer road". I instructed the driver, then quickly closed the door.

"Ok ma'am" he responded " Oh dear, you must be very ill," he said, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.

"Yes I am, " I replied sadly. How did he know that? Well, obviously I look pale and skinny.

"You'll get better in no time. It's spring already" he smiles Why do his words remind me of my late father?... I didn't think I'd get to hear someone with the same accent here in Texas. "Cheer up. Today is a gift, it's the future that someone wished for before they died" he said softly. "We are here ma'am"

"Oh... thanks" I got out of the car and gave him 20 bucks. "Here sir," I said handing him over the money

"Don't worry, dear. Take this. Just think of me as a father looking out for his daughter." He handed back the money to me and also gave me candy. Everything will be okay. You'll get back on your feet in no time, make a lot of money, and meet a man who will love you genuinely."

"But sir...I need to pay for the fare" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Today is my last day as a taxi driver, and you're my last customer. So just promise me you'll live a happy life. You don't need to pay for the cab fare. That's all I ask"

"Ok, I promise I will. Thank you" I said, bowing my head slightly in gratitude. He sped off. This driver must be a mind reader because his words struck a chord. Despite knowing I had less than 3 months left to live due to my gastric cancer, his words gave me hope that I might defy the odds and live longer.

I stepped into the elevator and rode it upstairs to my floor, stopping at the door to my flat, number 102. Noticing the door was already open, I knew my husband, Dave, was home. I pushed the door open gently and spotted two pairs of shoes on the doormat- one pair belonged to a woman, and the other to my husband. The woman's shoes looked eerily familiar like they belonged to someone I knew.

What the actual fuckkk How can this man be so cruel? Is this the reason why he didn't bother coming to stay with me in the hospital just so he can enjoy being with his lover?

I creep closer to the bedroom, curiosity getting the better of me, as I strained to make out the muffled voices.

"Damn, baby, you're so sweet. Last night was incredible. You always know how to calm my nerves-and that thing you do with your tongue..." he said, trailing off into a series of erotic sounds that made the woman laugh.

"You're really a pro. But don't worry-just wait until I get the insurance money. Then we can start fresh somewhere else." I recognized my husband's voice instantly. His words sent a chill down my spine.

"How much did you say the money is? I wanna live in a brand-new apartment babe" The lady said in a sultry tone, her voice dripping with anticipation. Her voice sounded so familiar

"400,000 USD," he said

"Really? That's so much money" She said, her voice lighting up with excitement. "That bitch is worth something after all"

"Her Mom died of cancer too. I heard it was hereditary. She kept having stomach aches and digestive issues," he said.

"Ok, how long will it take? Remember you promised to get me the latest designer bag babe"

"I'll get the insurance money soon. After she got admitted last night, the doctor in charge recognized her and told me about her cancer and that she had less than three months left. So after she's dead I'll claim the money and it will be ours."

I can't believe Dave can do this to me. Is this the man I got married to? How can he be this cruel?

I flung the door open, and my gaze fell upon a scene that made my blood run cold. There, in bed with my husband, was none other than my best friend, Suzy. The betrayal cut deep -not only was my husband cheating on me, but he was cheating on me with the one person I trusted- my best friend and they were also conspiring to claim my life insurance payout, eagerly waiting for my death.

"YOU BASTARDS !!.... How could you?" I said, my voice trembling in fury

"I heard everything you both said and no one will get away from this," I said, my voice seething in fury. "I'm going to get alimony and write about this on the company bulletin board. I'll tell your parents and leak it online for the world to see. So that you'll never be able to show your faces in public again!!!"

"Lucy come on, it hasn't gotten like that. Don't do this" Suzy said, approaching me.

"Don't touch me!" I said, shaking her hand off mine. "I thought you were my friend, my best friend. How could you?"

"Please don't tell people at work or my family please" she pleaded.

"Are you concerned about what your coworkers and family are going to think?.... Did you even think about me for a minute?" I said, my voice laced with hurt.

"I have my whole life ahead of me and you're going to die soon anyway," She said, her voice dripping with cruelty.

WHAT!

In a fit of rage, I yanked her hair, and we erupted into a fierce struggle. Dave rushed over to intervene, but his attempt to break us up only escalated the situation, and he ended up slapping me.

"Did you just hit me? I said holding my cheeks

"Yes, and I would do that again. You just tried to hit Suzy. That's what you get for trying to ruin our lives" he shouted. "You're as good as dead. So for the love of God, please just die already!."

"And whose fault is it that I'm on my deathbed!" I glared at him. "It's all because of you and your parents. You're mother constantly belittled me for growing up without a mother while you blew all my savings on stocks and took your anger out on me!"

"Don't you dare mention my mother! She's not the reason you lack self-worth" he snapped.

"I'll drag you all down with me - you and your parents! I'm going to take you...." Before I could utter another word, Dave shoved me with such force that I crashed into the center table. The glass shattered, and I felt a searing pain as I began to bleed. Warmth spread across my head, and my body went limp. As darkness closed in, my vision faded, and I lost consciousness, succumbing to my injuries.

"Lu... Lucy?" Dave called out.

"She's not dead, is she?"

"I don't know. Ugh, she was gonna die soon anyway."

The Doctor gave me only two to three months, and yet I died at 30, barely beginning my first chapter. I didn't even get to live out my last days as I had hoped.

As my vision faded, I heard my name being called, a voice I knew so well - my dad's.

"Lucy" he whispered, his voice warm and gentle. I turned, and there he was, standing in a soft, golden light. I reached out to him, his eyes filled with love. "It's not yet time Lucy. I need you to promise me one thing. That you'll live a happy life" his voice barely audible.

"But dad.." I reached out to hold him, but my form began to fade, and I was left with nothing but emptiness.

"Lucy? Lucy, wake up! Lunch break is over" a familiar voice called out tapping my shoulder

Mmm... it feels warm. Wait, am I dreaming? "What time did you go home last night? You look really tired." the same voice called out again.

"Lucy, are you okay? I told you to take it easy. Just take a cup of coffee, you'll feel better then you can come inside" she said and turned to leave. I looked up to see the owner of the voice. Wait, I recognize this voice. This is Mrs. Cole but she isn't working in our company anymore. I think she quit 2 or 3 years ago after giving birth.

No fucking way!

I jumped up slamming my hand on the desk. How am I still alive? I'm sure I was killed by Dave.

How? What is happening?

My phone beeped when a message came in. Wait this is my old phone. I ditched this phone years ago. How am I still using it? I checked the message that just came to my phone and my eyes caught the date displayed on my phone screen.

April 10th, 2022? That was 3 years ago. Wh-

What the...? What happened? Am I... Dreaming right now? How is this even possible?

After living through a shitty marriage, I was murdered by my husband and best friend... And now, I've gone back in time three years. Is this just my life flashing before my eyes one last time? But why this? Why three years ago?

"Lucy? A voice called behind me.

Wait, I recognize that voice. I can never forget this voice. As the memory flooded back, my eyes widened in shock. That was Dave's voice, my husband's tone. The same man who had brutally murdered me and has been plotting to claim my life insurance. My face contorted in fear.

What the hell...? What is he doing here?