Victoria's prison escape caused a huge stir in New York. The police launched a massive search throughout the city, but she seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Meanwhile, Katherine's testimony revealed a vast criminal network involving money laundering, extortion, and attempted murder. The FBI stepped in to investigate, and "Phoenix Investments'" true identity gradually came to light—it was a front for an international criminal organization specializing in money laundering through legitimate businesses.


Alexander's wounds weren't serious, but the doctor insisted he needed rest. We decided to temporarily move to his country house in Connecticut, away from the city's noise and potential dangers.

"Where do you think Victoria has gone?" I asked Alexander, as we sat on the spacious balcony of the villa, overlooking the rolling hills.

"If she's smart, she'll leave the country," Alexander replied, gently rubbing his injured arm. "But I doubt she will. She seems to have a pathological obsession with revenge."


I nodded, feeling a wave of uneasiness. "She won't stop. She'll be back."

Alexander took my hand. "We'll be ready."


Just at that moment, my phone rang. It was my father.

"Dad," I answered the call. "Are you all okay?"

"We're fine, dear," he said, with worry in his voice. "We heard about Victoria. Are you and Alexander alright?"

"We're fine," I assured him. "We're in Connecticut now, with plenty of security."

"That's good," he sighed with relief. "We're thinking about coming back. Your mother wants to see you."

"No," I said immediately. "It's not safe yet. Please wait a little longer, until Victoria is captured."

My father hesitated for a moment, then agreed. "Alright. But please stay in touch and let us know how you're doing."

After hanging up the phone, I felt a wave of fatigue wash over me. The pressure and fear of the past few weeks were finally starting to show.

Alexander noticed my condition. "You need rest," he said gently. "Go get some sleep. I'll be here."

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. As I walked toward the bedroom, I noticed some files displayed on Alexander's laptop screen. Out of curiosity, I glanced at them, then stopped in my tracks.

They were files about me.

More precisely, files about my previous life.

My heart raced. How was this possible? No one knew about my reincarnation. It was my deepest secret.

I moved closer, trying to see more clearly. The files appeared to be a series of reports titled "Temporal Anomaly: Ella Haston Case Study."

At that moment, Alexander walked into the room.

"Ella," his voice carried surprise and... was that fear?

I turned to him, feeling an unprecedented sense of betrayal. "What is this?" I asked, pointing at the screen.

Alexander's expression grew complicated. "I can explain."

"Explain what?" My voice trembled. "Explain why you have documents about my... past life? How is this possible?"

Alexander took a deep breath, as if making an important decision. "Because I remember too."

My world seemed to stop spinning. "What?"

"I remember my past life, Ella," Alexander said calmly. "I remember our marriage, remember what I did to you, remember... your death."

I felt my legs weaken and had to sit down. "This is impossible."

"But it's true," Alexander insisted, walking toward me. "I don't know why or how, but after you... died, I also experienced some kind of rebirth. I went back five years, just like you did."

My thoughts were in chaos. If Alexander had also been reborn, then he knew everything—my plans, my motives, my secrets.

"You've known all along?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper.

Alexander nodded. "Yes. From the first time we met at the museum, I recognized the look in your eyes. That awareness, that depth. That's not a look someone has when meeting for the first time."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was afraid," he admitted. "Afraid of your reaction. Afraid you would hate me for everything I did to you in my past life."

I stood up, feeling an indescribable anger and betrayal. "So you decided to hide the truth and manipulate me, just like in your past life?"

"No!" Alexander exclaimed passionately. "I'm not manipulating you. I'm trying to make amends. Trying to be a better person, someone worthy of you."

"By lying?"

"By giving us a chance to start over," he countered. "Ella, I made terrible mistakes in my past life. I let Katherine and Victoria manipulate me into believing you were unstable, dangerous. I failed to protect you, to trust you. By the time I finally realized the truth, it was too late. You were... gone."

I saw the pain in his eyes, but my heart was still filled with doubt. "So all of this—our marriage, your protection, you saying you love me—it's all because of guilt?"

Alexander shook his head. "No, it's because of love. True love. In our past life, I never gave myself the chance to truly understand you, to truly see you. But this time, I saw it. I saw your courage, your wisdom, your strength. I fell in love with the real you, Ella."

I felt tears welling up. "I don't know what to believe anymore."

Alexander slowly walked toward me, carefully, as if afraid I would run away. "Believe this," he said softly, then took out a small box from his pocket.

He opened it, and inside was a ring—not the one we exchanged at our wedding, but a brand new, more personalized one.

"I had this custom-made for you," he explained. "It's engraved with our names and a promise: 'Second chance, eternal love'."

I looked at the ring, feeling a complex mixture of emotions—anger, confusion, hope, love.

"I should hate you," I whispered. "In our past life, you put me through hell."

"I know," Alexander admitted, his voice filled with remorse. "I can never fully make up for those hurts. But if you give me a chance, I'll spend the rest of my life trying."

I looked into his eyes, those eyes that were once cold and ruthless, but now filled with sincerity and love.

"I need time," I finally said. "Time to process all of this."

Alexander nodded, respecting my decision. "I understand. I'll give you all the time and space you need."

He placed the ring box on the table, then turned to leave. At the doorway, he paused and looked back at me.

"Whatever your decision is, Ella, I will respect it. But please know that my greatest regret in this life is that I didn't protect you, love you in our previous life. I won't make the same mistake again."

When the door closed, I sat there feeling completely lost. Alexander was reborn too? He knew all along? This changed everything, yet seemed to change nothing at all.

I picked up the ring box and looked at the sparkling diamond inside. It was beautiful and complicated, just like our relationship.

I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can forgive him for what he did in his past life. I don't know if I can trust his love now.

But one thing I'm certain of—our story is far from over. And Victoria is still out there, waiting for her moment of revenge.