Bitter Was the Love, Quiet Was the Goodbye

I, Cassandra Channing, don't stop my fiance, Hades Emerson, from rushing into the flames to save his non-biological niece, Olivia Emerson, this time.

Instead, I watch as the fire swallows him whole.

In my past life, a fire broke out at the hotel on our wedding day. Hades and I escaped in time, but Olivia was trapped inside.

Seeing the flames grow bigger, I did everything I could to stop him from charging in to save her.

When the fire was finally extinguished, Olivia was dead.

Hades claimed he didn't blame me for the incident, and purchased diving tickets for me and our son on our third wedding anniversary.

When we were 300 feet below sea level, he ripped out our oxygen tank and snarled, "You're the reason I couldn't save Olivia back then. Now, a life for a life."

Crying, I begged him to understand that our son is innocent, but he swam away without looking back.

In the end, my son and I suffocated to death.

After dying, I learned that Hades had always been in love with Olivia. He hated me for stopping him from saving her. He blamed me for causing him to lose the love of his life.

I am back on the day of the fire when I open my eyes again.

When I woke up choking on thick smoke, I instantly realized I had been reborn.

My eyes darted around as I looked for Hades Emerson, and sure enough, he was trying to break down a door to save his non-biological niece, Olivia Emerson.

"Hades!" I shouted.

He looked at me, unhappy, but he didn't stop moving. "You won't be able to talk me out of it. Although Olivia and I aren't related by blood, she sees me as her uncle.

"I have to take responsibility for her well-being! You can leave if you want, but I'm not going anywhere. And if you don't intend to help, then don't stay here just to get in the way!"

In this life, instead of stopping him, I readily agreed. "Alright."

Hades froze, momentarily stunned, but quickly snapped back to his senses and continued trying to break down the door.

I didn't hesitate any longer and rushed out of the building.

Half an hour later, Hades emerged carrying Olivia in his arms.

I noticed sharply that he was limping, and blood was pouring from his left knee. Still, he didn't spare me a glance as he lifted Olivia into the ambulance.

In my past life, a fire broke out at the hotel on the day of our wedding. Because of the intensity of the flames, I had stopped Hades from going in to save Olivia, causing her to die in that fire.

Hades hated me for it, and by extension, he hated our son too.

On our third wedding anniversary, which also marked the anniversary of Olivia's death, Hades tricked me and our son into going on a diving trip.

Then, he secretly removed our oxygen tanks.

I begged and pleaded with him to spare our son, offering my life in exchange. But he only watched as both of us suffocated to death.

It was only then that I realized that Hades had always loved Olivia.

So this time, I didn't stop him when he insisted on charging into the fire to save her.

That same day, I applied to volunteer as a teacher in a rural school in the mountains.

The principal was slightly emotional as he asked, "Cassie, you've just gotten married. The volunteer program lasts at least three years. Are you sure about this?"

"I'm sure! I'll report to the new school in seven days," I replied without hesitation.

In this new life, I decided to walk away and give Hades and Olivia my blessing.