Alexander's revelation plunged me into deep confusion. I needed time to think, space to breathe. So, I decided to temporarily leave the villa in Connecticut and return to my apartment in New York.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Alexander asked worriedly when I told him my decision.


"I'll have bodyguards with me," I promised. "And I need... distance."

He nodded, though his eyes were filled with pain. "I understand. But please promise me you'll be careful."

"I will."


After returning to New York, I immediately contacted Oliver, asking him to come to my apartment. I needed someone I could trust, someone who didn't know about the reincarnation, to help me sort through my thoughts.

Oliver arrived quickly, with concern on his face. "Ella, what happened? You look exhausted."


I poured him a cup of coffee, then sat down. "Oliver, what would you do if you discovered someone you thought you knew had actually been hiding important things from you all along?"

Oliver thought for a moment. "It depends on why they were hiding it, and the nature of the secret."

"What if it was for... protection? Or perhaps fear?"

"Then perhaps they deserve a chance to explain," Oliver said gently. "Ella, is this about Alexander?"

I nodded, feeling tears welling up. "I don't know what to do, Oliver. I love him, but I'm also afraid. Afraid of getting hurt again."

Oliver took my hand. "Love always comes with risks. But sometimes, the biggest risks bring the greatest rewards."

I smiled, grateful for his wisdom. "Thank you, Oliver. You've always been my best friend."

At that moment, my phone rang. It was my father.

"Dad?" I answered the phone.

"Ella," his voice was tense. "We're back."

"What?" I asked in surprise. "I told you to wait..."

"I know, but your mother insisted on coming back. She said she couldn't hide anymore."

I felt a wave of panic. "Where are you?"

"At home," he replied. "Don't worry, we have security."

"I'm coming right over," I said, then hung up.

I turned to Oliver. "My parents are back. I need to go see them."

"I'll go with you," Oliver said firmly.

When we arrived at the Haston mansion, everything looked calm and normal. Security greeted us at the door and let us in after confirming our identities.

My parents were waiting for me in the living room, looking healthier and more relaxed than the last time I saw them.

"Ella!" My mother stood up, opening her arms.

I hugged her tightly, feeling a deep sense of relief. "Mom, you shouldn't have come back. It's not safe yet."

"We can't hide forever, my dear," she said gently. "This is our home."

My father embraced me too. "Don't worry, we've increased security measures. Victoria won't come near here."

I hoped he was right.

We sat down for tea and talked about their time in Italy. My father had started painting again, creating a series of new works. My mother had rediscovered her passion for music and began composing.

"How are things with Alexander?" my mother asked, noticing I hadn't mentioned him.

"We... have some issues to resolve," I answered vaguely.

My father and mother exchanged a look.

"Ella," my father began, "there are some things we need to tell you. About Alexander."

I felt my heart rate quicken. "What things?"

"A few months ago, before you got married, Alexander came to see us," my father explained. "He told us something... incredible."

My breath caught. "What did he tell you?"

"He said he came from the future," my mother said softly. "A future where you died."

I felt a wave of dizziness. Alexander told my parents about the reincarnation?

"He said he made a terrible mistake," my father continued. "He didn't protect you, didn't believe in you. He said he got a second chance, and he won't waste it again."

"You... believe him?" I asked in surprise.

My father smiled. "At first, no. But he knew things that only someone who had experienced it would know. And, his eyes... that kind of remorse and determination cannot be faked."

"He loves you, Ella," my mother said gently. "Truly loves you. Not out of guilt, not out of obligation, but because he sees the real you and has fallen in love with everything about you."

I felt tears sliding down my cheeks. "I don't know what to do."

"Listen to your heart," my father suggested. "It usually knows the right answer."

At that moment, my phone rang. It was Alexander.

"Ella," his voice was tense. "Where are you?"

"At my parents' house," I answered. "What happened?"

"The FBI just contacted me. They have news about Victoria. She was spotted near your parents' house."

My blood froze. "What? But there's security here..."

"Ella, leave there immediately," Alexander ordered. "I've sent people to pick you up."

I hung up the phone and turned to my parents and Oliver. "We need to leave. Now. Victoria might be nearby."

Just as we stood up, the lights suddenly went out.

"What happened?" my mother asked in panic.

"Stay calm," my father said, fumbling for his phone's flashlight function.

A faint beam of light illuminated the room, but it only made the shadows deeper and more threatening.

"We need to get out of here," Oliver whispered, walking toward the door.

But when he opened the door, a familiar figure stood there with a gun in hand.

"Long time no see, dear family," Victoria sneered.

Victoria looked vastly different from when I last saw her. Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes flickered with a kind of madness. Prison and life on the run had clearly affected her.

"Victoria," my father's voice was surprisingly calm. "Put down the gun. This won't end well."

"Shut up, Richard," she hissed. "You've always been so naive. Always believing in the best outcome. That's why you're so easily manipulated."

She walked into the room, pointing the gun at each of us. "Sit down, all of you."

We complied, knowing better than to provoke her in this situation.

"What do you want, Victoria?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She laughed, an unsettling sound. "What do I want? I want my life back! I want back my status, my wealth, my dignity! You all took that away from me!"

"Your own actions led to this," my mother said calmly. "You chose the path of deception and manipulation."

A flash of anger appeared in Victoria's eyes. "Shut up, Elizabeth! Who do you think you are? A saint? You have your secrets too."

She turned to me. "And you, Ella. My dear stepdaughter. You think you've won, don't you? Married a billionaire, saved your parents, revealed the truth. But you forgot one thing."

"What?" I asked, feeling a sense of unease.

"I always have a backup plan," Victoria sneered.

Just at that moment, I heard a slight click, followed by a hissing sound. A strange smell began to fill the room.

"Gas!" Oliver exclaimed, jumping up and rushing toward the window.

But Victoria quickly pointed her gun at him. "Move again and I'll shoot."

I began to feel dizzy, my vision blurring. My parents and Oliver were showing similar symptoms.

"What is this?" my father asked weakly.

"Just a bit of sleeping gas," Victoria said casually, putting on a small breathing mask. "It won't kill you. At least, not immediately."

I tried to stand up, but my legs were like jelly. I fell back onto the sofa, feeling my consciousness beginning to blur.

"Why?" I struggled to ask.

Victoria leaned close to me, her eyes glittering with triumph. "Because, dear Ella, sometimes history is destined to repeat itself."

That was the last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me.