Chapter 1 Another Chance to Live

LYRA

I sat down frozen in my office as I stared at the papers I had received. The cool night air blew in through the windows gently hitting my face but I wasn't cold.

Embezzlement? Fraud? How was that possible?

My law firm....my firm was suddenly under investigation. My name was on every file, every transaction, every stolen cent I had never touched.

I shook my head, forcing myself to breathe. Jason had been handling the accounts. He'd insisted on it after I gave him power of attorney on our second anniversary. He had managed the company well all these years but now-

Now the walls felt like they were closing in.

I grabbed my coat and headed toward the executive floor. His office light was still on. I just needed answers. A reason. This had to be a mistake.

But the second I stepped into the hallway, I heard it. Laughter.

My footsteps slowed as I reached his door, which was left slightly open. Inside, Jason sat down with Vanessa. Vanessa, my assistant.

Her legs were wrapped around his waist as he pressed her against his desk, shirt half open. His mouth trailed down her neck, and she was whispering something I couldn't hear and their laughter rang out.

I couldn't move.

"You're amazing," she said laughing.

"No," Jason replied with a grin, "I'm just smart. She's the one who gave me full control. Can you believe that? All I had to do was act like I was concerned. She signed the firm over to me like a fool."

Vanessa giggled. "So gullible."

Jason zipped his pants casually, not even bothering to close the door. "She's weak. She just wanted love and respect. I gave her just enough of both until

I didn't need her anymore."

Tears filled my eyes as I heard his words.

"Now she will take the fall for the embezzlement and I will be the one to save the company." Jason laughed.

I staggered back hitting the trashcan behind me.

Jason and Vanessa immediately fumbled with their clothing and I walked inside. Jason didn't seem to care or even look surprised as I walked in. It was as if he had finally decided to throw his mask away.

" Look who finally decided to crawl her way in here. The cops will be here anytime soon. You should be getting ready." Jason mocked while Vanessa stood by his side.

"How could you do this to me? I have loved you, given you everything you wanted and made all your dreams come true." I sobbed as I looked at the man I loved my entire life.

I barely recognized him anymore.

"Oh, come on, Lyra. What were you thinking? You were so submissive, so gentle, wanting to be the perfect trophy wife that the world would admire," Jason scoffed, stepping around his desk slowly like he was circling prey. "That's not how the world works. Power doesn't come from loyalty or love. It comes from control. And you handed me all of it."

I stared at him, my lips trembling as my hands dropped helplessly to my sides.

"You betrayed me," I whispered. "I built this firm from nothing. I trusted you."

Jason tilted his head. "And that's your real flaw. You trusted the wrong man."

Vanessa chuckled behind him. She didn't even try to hide her smug smile. "You were always too emotional. Too soft. That's why we knew this would work."

The room tilted. My knees weakened, but I didn't fall. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction.

"You'll go to prison," I said quietly. "When the truth comes out-"

Jason interrupted with a laugh that chilled me to the bone. "You still don't get it, do you? I made sure there is no truth left. Every account, every document, every signature, they all point to you. You'll take the fall and the world will thank me for 'cleaning up your mess.' You're already guilty, Lyra. In their eyes, it's over."

My breath caught as I heard his words.

" You will regret this. I won't let you win. Both of you. I am going to prove the truth about both of you. This recoding is going to prove it." I said raising my phone to show them.

I turned to leave when strong hands gripped me. My breath hitched as I looked back and saw Jason. Jason tried to grab my phone but I was quicker. I dodged pushing him and was almost at the door when something slammed into the side of my head.

A sharp, blinding pain cracked through my skull. I crashed to the floor, my phone skidding away across the rug.

Blood rushed to my ears. My vision pulsed.

Vanessa stood over me, gripping a heavy paperweight in her hand. The sharp edge was stained red.

"You should've stayed quiet," she said breathless as she stared at me with annoyance.

I reached out weakly, fingers stretching toward my phone. It was inches away. So close.

Just then, Jason stepped on my hand. I cried out, the bones in my fingers crunching under his heel.

He crouched down beside me, brushing hair from my face almost gently. "You just couldn't let it go, could you?"

Tears blurred my eyes. My head throbbed. I could feel warm liquid dripping past my temple. Blood.

"Please..." I whispered. "Don't..."

Vanessa leaned down and grabbed the phone. She tossed it onto the ground and smashed it under her heel. Again and again until the screen cracked, shattered, and died.

"Problem solved," she muttered smiling.

"I love you, babe." Jason said as he leaned down to kiss her.

My body grew cold. I tried to move, to fight, but I couldn't feel my legs anymore. My arms barely lifted from the floor. Everything was slowing down.

Jason pulled back staring at me. "We need to finish her."

"No," I croaked. "Jason-please..."

But he had already turned away.

Vanessa knelt beside me. Her perfume was too suffocating. Her fingers wrapped around the collar of my coat as she brought her face close to mine.

"You were never meant to last," she whispered. "You were always temporary. Goodbye, Lyra. I'll enjoy myself. I promise."

She lifted the paperweight again and struck it down hard on me.

Darkness.

*********************************

I was supposed to be dead. The way I died was not the way I had planned. Being betrayed, losing everything I ever had.

The sound of the fan turning echoed in my ears. Suddenly, someone tapped me lightly making me open my eyes.

"Darling," Jason smiled as he gave the bundle of flowers he had bought. "Happy anniversary."

My eyes widened as I sat up. I looked around. I was in our bedroom. Our wedding photos hung on the wall and our pictures were on the table near the nightstand. Everything looked the same.

Had it all been a dream?

Jason turned toward the mirror, fixing his cufflinks casually."Lyra, I was thinking we should do something special this year for our anniversary. The restaurant by the lake, its your favorite. I also have something to tell you." He turned to me smiling.

His phone rang beside me and I reached out to look at it. It was Vanessa calling. He had saved her number as "Associate".

" I have to go. There is a lot to do at the office." Jason said grabbing his phone as fast as he could.

Then he was gone.

I got up and quickly walked to the table looking at the calendar.

June 3rd, 2024.

Our second anniversary.

A full year before my death.

It wasn't a dream.

I had traveled back in time. A chance to make them pay.