Chapter 1 It was late 2044 , and I was in my fifties , counting down my final moments . Breast cancer had ravaged my body . My husband , Jared Holcomb , was desperately trying to save me , rushing to find the best doctors . But I was done fighting . I'd stopped eating for three days , not even taking a sip of water . We'd been married for thirty years , but I couldn't stand the thought of laying eyes on him one last time . In the hospice room , I lay dying , my eyes tightly closed . Suddenly , familiar footsteps grew louder - Jared and our daughter , Yvonne , were approaching my bedside . The doctor's voice was heavy . " She's stopped eating . You don't have much time left ." A thick silence filled the room . My remaining consciousness was fading , bit by bit . Then I heard Yvonne whisper , her voice deliberately low , " Mom's about to pass . When are you going to marry Tracy ? " Jared paused before responding , " We'll see . Let's get the funeral over with first ." Yvonne sighed , " Mom wasted her entire life . I never understood what she was holding onto . She should've divorced years ago . All that stress just ate her alive . " My heart felt like it was drowning in bitterness . The reason I'd stayed married was so simple - I wanted Yvonne to grow up in an intact family . I didn't want her to deal with in - law drama when she got married someday . Now , my stubborn persistence felt like one pathetic , cruel joke . Whatever , I was about to leave this world that had torn my heart to shreds . Finally , I'd be free . " Quiet as she seems , she's always been stubborn , " Jared muttered , his voice dripping with contempt . " It destroyed everything , including herself . " What a sharp way to sum up my life . " Tracy's had it tough , hanging around without any real status . Finally , she's gonna get what she deserves , " Yvonne said , sounding relieved . " Yeah , I owe her big time . I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to her , " Jared replied , his voice laden with guilt . Tears streamed down my face , uncontrollable . So , my years of sacrifice meant nothing to them . They only cared about the woman who'd wrecked my marriage , like she'd been " suffering silently " all these years . Just then , I thought I heard a faint bell , like it was ringing far off in the distance . Exhaustion crashed over me , and I was spent and desperate for rest . All of a sudden , a bright , blinding light sliced through the dark . Dazed , I forced my eyes open . My mom's scolding voice drifted in . " Victoria , still sleeping ? Yvonne's gonna be out of school soon . " I shot to my feet and spun around . There , standing by the floor - to - ceiling window , was my mom - who'd been gone for years - gathering up the curtains . Outside , the sun blazed bright , and the garden was lush with green . " Still half - asleep ? Time to pick up Yvonne ." Mom walked over , playfully tapping my arm . " Were you up late reading romance novels again ? I've told you not to mess up your sleep . I'm still waiting for you and Jared to give me another grandkid ." 1/3 Chapter " Mom … The brightness faded , and there she was . I grabbed her hand , felt its warmth , and clung to it like it was my lifeline . " Is it really you ? How'd you get here ? " Mom looked startled , pulling back slightly and touching my forehead . " Sweetie , did you have some crazy dream ? You said you were bored and asked me to come stay for a few days . I took the car you sent - here I am . " Her words clicked into place like a key turning in a lock . Just after Memorial Day in 2014 , Mom had taken some time off , and I'd had the driver bring her from our hometown to Hachester , wanting her company . I wondered if I … " Knock it off , " Mom said , Mom said , shooing me out of my thought . " Go get Yvonne . Jared's on his way home for supper , and I need to fire up that salmon before he walks in . " She spun on her heel and clattered downstairs . I panted , glancing around . This was the villa Jared had bought after we got married . It was 2014 , and Yvonne was six , in her last year of kindergarten . Jared was from Hachester , born into a family with their own business . As the eldest son , he'd been running the company pretty well - everyone always said I'd hit the jackpot marrying a guy who was this young, handsome , and successful . I walked out to the balcony . The sun warmed my skin , and I wondered - had I time - traveled ? Did fate take pity on me , seeing how I'd wasted my first life ? Was this a do - over , or just another shot at screwing things up ? Not far away , a couple of guys were playing tennis on the community court , that easy , carefree vibe of being young just pouring off them . I rested my chin in my hand , watching . After a while , I let out a laugh . It seemed all those prayers at the churches actually worked . I took a deep breath and checked the time - 3 : 40 PM . Normally , as a stay - at - home mom , I'd now be heading out to pick Yvonne up , a 30 - minute drive from the villa . But today , I felt like slacking off . Yvonne was my kid , but picking her up wasn't just my job . I pulled out my phone and called Jared . His young, crisp voice answered , " What's up ? You on your way to get Yvonne ? " I flopped back onto the couch , feigning a weak tone . " Ugh , my stomach's been acting up . Can you pick her up instead ? " Jared's voice tightened . " I've got a meeting . Can your mom do it ? " " She's busy cooking . You know I can't handle raw fish , " I said casually . I knew him - if I didn't go , he'd find a way . " Okay , I'll send someone , " Jared said and hung up quickly . I stood up and walked to the closet . The mirror caught me - a young woman in a relaxed , flowy dress . Back then , Jared wasn't really into me for my personality . He was attracted to my looks , my body - he'd say I was hot , spirited , even a bit wild . Crazy , right ? A guy as smart and put - together as Jared could be so superficial . Jared was basically a gentleman . Ever since we started dating , he'd always been polite - never raised his voice or picked fights . He worked things out with words , never gave me the cold shoulder , and didn't have any nasty guy habits . He could always keep his cool and solve problems like they were no big deal . On our wedding night , he'd had some drinks before he stepped into the room . One look at me in that mermaid gown and his eyes burned with desire . Still , he asked nicely if I was okay with that . 2/3 I looked up to him , practically worshipped him , so I just nodded . Even though he hadn't got all wild like most guys might , that night , I became his woman , just like I'd hoped . I'd been so hopeful , dreaming of a happy life with him - living together day in and day out , him working , me taking care of home . However , dreams and reality never mixed . There was always a line between them . By our fifth year of marriage , he cheated . Her name was Tracy Darwin - his assistant , his go - to , his right - hand woman . He said she was his main support , the one who had his back when he was up against rivals . He couldn't live without her . They'd been together over a year by now . In my previous life , I was still in the dark at this point . This time , I decided to let him go and finally set myself free . I was gonna live by that line I saw online : [ Anyway, he's the only one paying your bills without wanting your body in return . ]