Reborn Wife: Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Oldston's streets were alive with the ebb and flow of traffic.

I'd occupied a corner seat in Blossom Restaurant for two hours, my attention occasionally drifting to the counter. There, a young lady donned in a sky-blue apron was engrossed in the art of crafting drinks.

She was petite. Based on my judgment, she barely reached 5.3 feet and was likely lighter than 100 pounds; her skin was soft and smooth, completely speckless. Her thick, raven-black hair was styled into a high knot, and her crescent-shaped eyes glistened when she laughed.

"Would you care for a refill, ma'am?" She approached, her smile undiminished.

Her presence momentarily distracted me, pulling me from my reverie. Fortunate, perhaps, that I too was a woman; the alternative might attract unsavory labels.

"Yes, another black coffee, thank you," I replied, my tone courteous and my smile reciprocating her warmth.

With an agile grace, she furnished me a new cup of black coffee. She lingered for a moment, choosing to impart a cautionary note. "You've had two cups of black coffee already, ma'am. It may be invigorating, but excess isn't advisable. Perhaps save some craving for your next visit?"

Her words floated through the air, melodious like the chime of wind bells.

I glanced at the black coffee before me and rose, gathering my bag. "Alright, let's take care of the bill."

Thrilled by my acquiescence, she promptly completed the transaction. "Your total comes to 15 dollars today, ma'am. Will you be paying with cash or through mobile payment?"

I completed the payment with minimal fuss and exited the unpretentious establishment.

"Ma'am." Lanny Mills, my chauffeur, greeted me as I emerged, extending a respectful nod as he opened the car door.

"Home, Lanny," I instructed softly, a meager smile on my lips.

As the car hummed into motion, I leaned back with my eyes closed. Yet my thoughts kept circling back to the young waitress, her countenance suffused with the flush of youth.

So, she was the woman who, in a year's time, would compel Mathias Murray to part from me at a great cost, even if it meant severing ties with his family.

In this newfound life, the first thing I'd done was seek her out, observing her covertly in her workplace.

What intrigued me so was deciphering what she possessed that could stole away the man I'd loved for nearly a decade.

In my previous life, I never had the chance to meet her, only stumbling upon a name and some scattered photographs. Mathias shielded her as though she were an invaluable gem. Despite my losses, I never even saw the face of my competitor.

She was young, beautiful, innocent, kind, and full of life, attributes that fit her perfectly.

Her only shortcoming was her lack of a prominent family background, in sharp contrast to Mathias's high-standing reputation.

Lanny's voice broke into my thoughts. "Ma'am, today marks your wedding anniversary with Mr. Murray."

Slowly, I opened my eyes, feeling momentarily disoriented.

This year would be our fifth anniversary. In previous years, I'd spent the entire day preparing-a candlelit dinner, anniversary presents-even though I was a complete amateur in the kitchen before marrying him.

Now, I was 27, and he was 29.

"I'm aware," I said, massaging my temples, a knot of unease forming within me. "There's no need to remind me."

Maybe Lanny sensed my departure from past enthusiasm, prompting him to mention it.

But it begged the question: why was I always the giver? Why must I be the one in love? These questions haunted me in my past life as I faced my final moments. For Mathias, I ended up sacrificing it all, culminating in a tragic end.

Deep in thought, the car halted in front of our home-a luxurious estate gifted by our parents for our wedding.

Unexpectedly, Mathias's car was parked there. He was home.

My emotions were a tangled web. Having experienced death once, what expression should I wear when facing the source of my prior sorrows?

I had expected to despise Mathias. He had driven me-his wife of five years-to the brink, ruthlessly causing damage to my innocent parents and leaving my family shattered.

But seeing him again, my animosity had ebbed, replaced by something akin to relief.

In my previous life, Mathias had offered me a civil divorce, assuring me a lifetime's worth of shares in the Murray Group. I had declined. For nine years, I sought his love in vain, only for another woman to capture it within a year.

I had resorted to every means to win him back, even if it led to high-stakes confrontations and a struggle for survival.

But those events had not yet come to pass. Rather than dwell in bitterness, I'd prefer to rewrite that painful chapter.

"Why are you lingering in the doorway?" Mathias, lounging in the living room with his long legs crossed, barely looked up from the dwindling cigarette between his fingers. He tapped the ash into an ashtray, regarding me with his characteristic detachment.

He had set the terms on our wedding day: what we had was a union of convenience, a mutual agreement for long-term cohabitation, devoid of any emotional attachment.

"I wasn't expecting you to be home," I replied, bending down to slip into my grey Hermes slippers. Designed for comfort rather than aesthetic appeal, they were nothing extraordinary.

My thoughts drifted back to the young waitress in her blue apron, accented by a tiny, cheerful red flower.

A stark contrast to my own costly yet drab attire.

Suddenly loathing the slippers, I flung them aside and trod barefoot into the living room.

Mathias arched an eyebrow at my unshod entry. "Opting for bare feet?"

"Yes; didn't feel like confining them," I said, settling into a seat across from him.

"You're acting out of character. Something on your mind?" His voice, lighter than usual, even contained a hint of mirth.

"If only you knew you're sitting across from the past, while your future waits elsewhere," I mused inwardly.

My gaze fell to my gaunt feet; they seemed so devoid of vitality.

They were nothing like Olivia Singh's; hers were slender yet displayed a robustness, a firm suppleness that mine distinctly lacked.

The solitude that had spanned five years of our marital life had sapped my interest in nourishment, reducing me to a skeletal frame.

"Mathias."

"Hmm?" He grunted in response, too engrossed in his phone to look up.

Dressed in a sleek black shirt and trousers, his impressive height and striking visage had ensnared many a heart.

I lifted my eyes from my own skeletal feet to the man who sat before me. My voice came out slightly raspy. "I want a divorce."

The room turned cold the instant my words hung in the air, only to be shattered by Mathias's scoff.

Setting his phone aside, he met my gaze with icy eyes. "Rylie Fletcher, what's your angle this time?"

"I'm dead serious." I sat upright, meeting those oppressive eyes with bravery. "It's been five years. You're not going to fall in love with me anyway. Honestly, it's better if both just move on."

In just a month's time, Oldston would play host to a massive business gathering, where Mathias was slated to encounter Olivia. She would be on guest-welcoming duty part-time. The moment he laid eyes on her, he would be smitten, ready to do whatever it took to make her his own.

In this gripping narrative, I refused to play second fiddle to their epic romance again.

All the efforts I could've and should've made, I had already made in my past life, to no avail, and I had accepted the ending. This time around, I wouldn't subject myself to ridicule or steer the Fletcher family into ruin.

I had made up my mind to step aside before Mathias crossed paths with Olivia, clearing the path for their tumultuous love affair.

Perhaps my eyes had conveyed too much seriousness; Mathias's expression had abruptly darkened. He had always had a fiery temper, showing no mercy to those who provoked him.

"Heh, had I now become someone's plaything?" He was chuckling and yet his gaze remained icy. "Five years ago, you were adamant about marrying me. And now you wanted a divorce, Rylie? Were you toying with me?"

Five years back, the relationship between the Murray and Fletcher families had been amicable, so they had decided to pair us up.

Given Mathias' temperament, it hadn't been smooth sailing, but circumstances had shifted when his grandfather had taken a turn for the worse, compelling him into a marriage with me.

It had been a rather embarrassing situation for Mathias, but thankfully, he hadn't harbored deep affections for anyone else. With his responsibilities in the family business, he had needed a competent partner, and thus, he had settled on me for five years.

I put on a sad, wry smile. "Are we continuing this marriage in name only?"

"In name only, huh?" Mathias appeared to mull over those words, then asked with sarcasm, "Are you feeling lonely and empty now?"

"No, it's just that I..." I carefully selected my words.

However, Mathias rose and came over to my side. Leaning in, his arms on either side of the couch, encircling me, he said in a somewhat enticing voice, "If you desired me that much, why didn't you tell me? Must you resort to bringing up divorce?"

Mathias enjoyed smoking; the scent of tobacco was always faintly mixed with another fragrance on him.

He never hugged me, of course, but I had secretly smelled his jacket once.

Now, that intricate yet enchanting scent engulfed me. I should feel elated and blush under normal circumstances. However, at the moment, I only felt as if the air was being squeezed out of me.

I had already made up my mind to leave. Anything that made me hesitate felt ominous.

"I'm not doing this for that reason," I tried to clarify. Through these never-ending days and nights, loneliness had become my constant companion.

"Is that so?" Mathias rose to his full height. He had never shown interest in me. His prior vague teasing was simply a tactic to unsettle me, ensuring he maintained his own poise.

Being a 27-year-old married woman who had never consummated the relationship, I gave off a sense of resentment rather than allure.

"Rylie, today may be our fifth anniversary, but I have no interest in celebrating it. If you think this is an opportunity to goad me into making it with you by bringing up divorce, I suggest you cease making an issue of it," Mathias responded as he stood before me, staring into my eyes with a cold intensity.

"As for an anniversary that's never been celebrated, there's no point in making a big deal about it now," I said, standing up to look at him. "Think it over, Mathias. I'm almost at the end of my usefulness in this relationship. You'd benefit from freedom more than from being with me, wouldn't you?"

After speaking, I turned and headed up to the bedroom, not pausing to look back. There were no more words I wanted to say.

The sharp sound of a door slamming shut reached me from downstairs, quickly followed by the rumble of a car engine starting up. I knew Mathias was the one leaving, but my heart remained steady this time.

Just then, my phone buzzed to life. The caller was my close friend, Sonia Campbell.

"Rylie, how about we go let loose at Euphoria Club?" Sonia's vibrant voice broke through my gloom. She was about my age but had chosen the single life.

Since tying the knot, I'd become a homebody. Sonia would extend ten invites, and I'd turn down nine. She, however, never gave up on me.

"Absolutely!" I accepted without hesitation, resulting in a long pause on the other end.

"It's your anniversary with Mathias today, are you certain you want to go out?" Sonia finally asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

For five years, my anniversary had served as my go-to excuse for declining her invites.

"It's an anniversary, not a funeral. I'll see you soon," I assured her, and ended the call.

I opened my wardrobe to find a sea of black, white, and gray; a touch of blue was a rare find. Although luxury brands offered a myriad of striking designs, I had sadly invested in the most unremarkable styles.

I finally selected a less nondescript black halter dress after about ten minutes. The dress, with its silky fabric and plunging V-neck, cinched at my narrow waist and left my arms and much of my back exposed.

I recalled purchasing this dress in an attempt to attract Mathias's attention, but he hadn't come home that entire month.

The only thing that made me self-conscious now was my lack of curves, which seemed somewhat at odds with the dress' sultriness.

I donned the dress with some reluctance, comforting myself with the thought that I'd simply eat more to fill it out in the future.

After getting dressed and applying my makeup, I steered my red Porsche directly to Euphoria Club.

The club boasted a name as spirited and artistic as its atmosphere.

Once I had parked, I entered the club and located Sonia and the others at the bar we had agreed to meet at.

Back in college, Sonia Campbell, Tricia Jenkins, Valerie Ford and I were dubbed the four prodigies of the music department. Everyone had high expectations for our futures. Sonia ended up a queen of the nightlife, Tricia climbed the ladder in her family's enterprise, and Valerie remained devoted to her music, entering competitions and aspiring to stardom. I, on the other hand, married young.

"Ah, what a pleasant surprise!" Sonia exclaimed, hopping down from her elevated seat to enthusiastically clasp my hands.

The other two were also elated. I had virtually become a phantom in our social group since my marriage.

I had traded my social life for a life with Mathias.

After we'd had a couple of drinks, Sonia leaned in and lamented, "Rylie, had you not shown up tonight, I'd have begun to question whether I'd attended your wedding or your memorial five years ago."

It was true that I had completely disappeared.

"Isn't it odd? Weren't you supposed to be having a romantic dinner at home?" she probed, attempting to get a closer look at my face. "Tell me, did that rascal Mathias neglect you again? Have you been crying?"

"Would you mind not messing with my false lashes?" I gently pushed Sonia's hand aside.

These folks were more than just friends; they were my lifelines. Back when my family faced ruin because of Mathias' irrational love, they had stood by my side. Although we hadn't toppled Mathias, their genuine support in those challenging times had left an indelible impression on my heart.

So, I spilled the beans about my plan to leave Mathias.

I left out the bit about being reborn, of course.

Upon hearing my revelation, a hush had fallen over the group. Then, almost in unison, they burst into applause. "Fantastic! In honor of our Rylie breaking free from her twisted love life, we won't go home until we're utterly sloshed!"

"Cheers!" I echoed, raising my slender arms upward with glee.

In all honesty, I believed that after divorcing Mathias, I would be able to lead a carefree life and cast aside the tragedies of my past life.

As the alcohol loosened our inhibitions, our boldness grew in turn.

Valerie gave my shoulder a gentle pat. "Rylie, have a look around. Spot any dashing men? Don't hold back. If someone catches your eye, go for it! Mathias has had his share of escapades; it's high time we evened the score."

"That's a fair point," I remarked, my eyes a bit bleary. They finally settled on a tall, slender figure. Judging by his clothes, he likely had been still in college.

If Mathias could get involved with a college girl, then why couldn't I find a college boy?

I ambled over with drink in hand, and tapped the young man's shoulder. "Hey there, good-looking. Care for a drink? It's my treat..."

He spun around, revealing a face that was not just good-looking but radiated a gentle, youthful allure.

First, he looked at me with a hint of surprise before shaking his head apologetically. "Sorry, ma'am, I have a girlfriend."

"Ah, I see. My apologies, then. Let me find someone unattached." I offered a deep bow to the young man. The alcohol was dulling my senses, and I was barely aware of my own words. I turned and continued my search for someone else.

However, before I could take more than a few steps, I tripped and fell, causing my glass to shatter on the floor.

My head felt like a lead weight, and an odd thought crossed my mind. "Why don't I just take a nap right here?"

"Let me help you up," said the college boy, extending a hand.

Sitting on the floor, I looked up at him with my face flushed.

Was I hallucinating? His face morphed into Mathias', and he was staring back at me coldly.

Attempting to stand, my hand met broken glass, and blood started flowing from my palm. Moments later, darkness enveloped me, and I lost consciousness.

"Rylie, do you honestly believe that your family can stop me?" In my dream, I was confronted once again by Mathias' frigid gaze.

Frozen in my seat amidst the disarray of the living room, tears flowed freely down my face.

Aware that Mathias was set on divorcing me, both my parents and the Murray family elders exerted pressure on him.

Unmoved, he dug in his heels, going so far as to pay a steep price to undermine the Fletcher family.

Initially, the Murray elders had chided and resisted him. Later, they grudgingly lent their assistance. In the end, I heard they even warmed to the idea of Olivia.

Under Mathias' unyielding support, Olivia slowly gained the approval of his parents.

What stung me the most was the fact that she was already pregnant.

"Mathias, I've loved you for nine years. Don't you feel anything for me?" I covered my face, and once again, tears slipped through my fingers.

"No, Rylie, I gave you an opportunity for a graceful exit. You didn't take it." Mathias' tone was icy. Suddenly, his phone started ringing, breaking the tension. It had a unique ringtone; Olivia's cheerful voice.

"Mr. Murray, please answer the phone! Mr. Murray, pick up quickly!"

Hearing that saccharine tone and watching Mathias walk away, I felt a sudden dizziness, and an acute pain exploded in my chest.

In a state of suffocating torment, I jolted awake.

Drawing deep breaths, I realized I was back in my own room. Through the window, the day was sunny, replete with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers.

How did that college student manage to get me back here?

My eyes caught sight of my bandaged hand as I clutched my pounding temple. I wanted to search for the college student, but instead, I heard Mathias' voice beyond the door.

"You all go ahead. I'm not in the mood today." He was leaning against the railing of the second-floor balcony, a cigarette held casually between his fingers, projecting a relaxed outline against the light.

Bracing myself against the door frame, I saw him coming closer. "Where is he?" I asked.

"Where is who?" Mathias raised an eyebrow.

"The college boy," I responded.

Encountering someone appealing other than Mathias was a rare occurrence for me, one I wasn't ready to give up just yet.

After all, in a month's time, Mathias would be infatuated with another woman. It made sense for me to seek a comforting presence sooner rather than later to help ease my pain.

Upon hearing me, Mathias' face tightened with anger. He took a quick look at what I was wearing and then, seizing my wrist, pulled me into the bedroom closet. "Damn it, go change! Who said you could dress that provocatively?"

Provocative?

I peered at my flat chest, and the curves wouldn't even exist if not for the bra and the fabric.

Provocative didn't really describe me. Besides, why should he care how I looked if he wasn't in love with me?

"A few days ago, were you at a hotel with that so-called innocent artist?" I asked, maintaining my composure.

"It's not your concern," he said indifferently.

"Likewise, your concerns about me will also become irrelevant. If divorce isn't happening, let's live separate lives," I suggested in a bland voice.

All these years, I had not felt what romantic love was like, and all I wanted was some form of intimacy to fill the void in my heart.

The idea felt freeing, and almost comforting. I was no longer tied to Mathias' whims. I felt like my soul was slowly coming back to me.

Double standards were ingrained in some men. They wanted freedom for themselves but they expected their spouses to conform to traditional roles.

Mathias wasn't any different. He might not love me, but by name, I remained his wife.

"Are you intending to make a fool out of me?" he sneered, then roughly tugged the neckline of my dress down to expose my chest. "You think any man would find this attractive?"

I glanced down. My stick-on bra covered everything it needed to, revealing nothing.

This was the smallest size they offered.

Brushing his hand away, I calmly adjusted my attire. "I'll eat more and drink milk. Then you'll have even more to be concerned about."

"Have you lost your mind, Rylie?" Mathias seemed to be at his wits' end, scrutinizing me. "You've been acting irrationally lately."

The old version of me was mature and dignified, understanding and caring. How could I utter such bizarre statements?

If my father heard me now, he would probably be extremely disappointed.

But embracing this newfound craziness was my ticket away from Mathias, whose own sanity would soon begin to fray.

Without Olivia in the picture, he would never consider divorcing me. Our marriage served to unite our families, and Mathias was a calculating man. He knew how to weigh the pros and cons.

The last thing I wanted was to watch him fall for another woman, again.

"Then let's get a divorce," I suggested once more.