Chapter 3

I took a deep breath. "Mr. and Mrs. Walker," I began, my voice trembling slightly. "I... I can't marry Liam."

The smiles vanished from their faces.

Mrs. Walker's teacup clattered in its saucer. "What did you say, Maya?"

"I'm not going to marry him," I repeated, stronger this time. "And I'm leaving. I've received a scholarship to a music conservatory in another state. It's a dream I've had for a long time." My dream, mirroring Liam's lost passion.

Mr. Walker stood up. "A scholarship? What is this nonsense? The wedding is planned, invitations sent!"

"I know this is sudden," I said, "and I am truly sorry for the disruption. But Liam... he's not happy about this marriage. He never was."

This was for Liam's second regret: not defying them, not choosing his own path. By stepping away, I was, in a way, forcing him to confront that.

"Not happy?" Mrs. Walker scoffed. "Of course, he's nervous. All young men are before marriage. He loves you, Maya. He told us."

Loves me? He loved the idea of pleasing them, of finally meeting their expectations. He loved Jessica.

"With all due respect, Mrs. Walker," I said gently, "Liam is doing this for you. Not for himself, and not for me."

I had to make them understand. I thought of the original timeline, of Liam's quiet desperation, his eventual death.

"I know you want what's best for him," I continued, my voice thick with unshed tears. "But this isn't it. In another life... I saw how this plays out. He'll be miserable. He'll lose himself. He needs to choose his own path, pursue his own dreams, even if it means disappointing you."

I was talking about his music, his lost dream of being a pianist, the dream that died the night his hand was injured saving me.

"He deserves to be with someone he truly loves," I said, the words tasting like ash. "And he needs the freedom to find his own way, even if it's not what you envisioned."

I looked at them, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"I know I'm not making much sense to you right now. Maybe I seem ungrateful after all you've done. But please, believe me. This is the only way for Liam to have a chance at real happiness."

I took responsibility for the past misunderstandings. "Perhaps I wasn't clear about my own feelings, or I didn't understand the depth of his unhappiness. But I see it now."

"I will always care for Liam," I added, my voice softening. "And I will always respect you both. Perhaps, in time, we can find a new way to be... family. But not like this."

A new, non-romantic relationship. That was all I could offer, all I wanted.

Mr. Walker sank back into his chair, looking older than I'd ever seen him.

Mrs. Walker stared at me, tears welling in her eyes. But behind the tears, I saw a flicker of understanding. She was a mother. She loved her son.

"If what you're saying is true, Maya..." she whispered, "if Liam is truly unhappy..."

"He is," I affirmed gently.

She looked at her husband, then back at me. A long silence.

Then, she nodded slowly. "Alright, Maya. If this is what you believe is best... for Liam... then we... we accept it."

Relief washed over me, so potent I almost sagged. One more regret addressed. Liam was now free from their pressure regarding me.

A new bond, fragile but real, formed in that moment. Not daughter-in-law, but someone who, like them, wanted Liam's happiness above all else.

My phone buzzed again. The hospital.

"Ms. Roberts? Jessica Albright is critical. She needs a blood transfusion, O-negative. We have very little on hand. Are you still able to come?"

O-negative. My blood type. Rare. Jessica's was common. Why did she need a rare type? Complications, perhaps.

The universe was pushing me.

Two regrets down. One to go. Saving Jessica.

"I'm on my way," I told the nurse.

I turned to the Walkers. "I have to go. There's been an accident."

Before they could ask, my phone rang again. It was Liam. His voice was tight with fury.

"Maya! What the hell did you say to my parents? They just called me, hysterical, something about you leaving, calling off the wedding! And now Jessica... she's been in an accident! Did you do something? Did you go see her after you left City Hall?"

His voice was raw, accusing. He thought I'd confronted Jessica, upset her, caused this. Just like he believed in the original timeline.

The misunderstanding, the blame, it was all happening again, but faster.

My heart sank. He was so quick to think the worst of me.

"Liam, calm down," I said, my own voice strained. "I didn't see Jessica. I just heard about the accident. I'm going to the hospital now."

The original timeline's tragedy, Jessica's death, was accelerating. This was my chance to fulfill Liam's third regret – to "save" her. Not just her life, but also to save Liam from the misplaced guilt he carried.

"She needs blood, Liam. O-negative."

My final, most challenging task. The clock was ticking. My 36 hours were draining away.