EMERALD....
Anguish... Heavy breaths... A void... That's how death feels. Floating in the dark, I was suddenly hit by a trail of brightness, causing me to flutter my eyelids and feel a sharp ache in my nerves.
Death seems so cruel and alive, bringing back hurtful memories and a voice...
Wait, a voice?
Confused, I blinked again, and slowly my eyes discovered a shape in front of me—a very familiar feature.
"Dad!..." I whispered in shock. I was sent to my father after death?
Though the rage of being wronged was still alive, the sight of Dad wiped it all away.
"Dad..." I turned emotional seeing him again.
"Yes, honey. Dad is here, right beside you." His voice was assuring.
I held his hand. "I have missed you, Dad." I choked on my tears. "If I had known death would bring me to you, I would have died earlier."
"What?" He blinked; his eyes were full of confusion and concern. "Honey, what are you saying? What death? No one died."
I stared at him. Did he not realize it yet? He was murdered seven days earlier.
"Oh, poor Dad, we were both wronged." I attempted to coax him and moved, only to feel a sharp pain in my lower abdomen.
A sheer darkness flashed before my eyes as I touched the area immediately.
"Hey, I got you." Dad helped me sit up.
I looked up at him. What is happening? Why does this feel so... real?
As if reading my mind, what he said next rendered me speechless!
"You just had a miscarriage; you can't be reckless, dear."
"Mm-miscarriage?" I was stunned. How is this possible?
Dad sighed helplessly, "I know it's unfortunate. I'm sorry, love..."
He continued to comfort me, but I was unable to hear after that 'miscarried' part, which brought back many unfortunate memories.
How could it be? I was pregnant only once, but it was seven years ago, right after Nathan and I got engaged. He had moved into our mansion at that time.
I looked around with a racing heart and wide eyes. It's my room from seven years ago. What's going on with me? Is it some sort of a loophole?
I hurried off the bed, which only caused more pain in my abdomen. But I no longer cared and rushed out of the room.
It's our mansion!
I ran downstairs barefoot. Dad's worried voice urged me to return, but I was lost in my own dimension of this misleading confusion.
I stumbled, bumped into the wall, yet did not stop. The servants in the mansion were watching me worriedly; it was horrifying!
I stepped out of the mansion; the bright sunlight hit my eyes harshly, causing me to shield them with my hand. Trembling and unbalanced, I panted, stopping right in front of the mansion.
My home. I'm truly here. Is all this only a dream in death?
"Emerald, are you okay, darling? Do you need anything?" A soft voice sounded behind me.
I turned on my heels and gasped. I couldn't believe my eyes. The middle-aged lady before me was Martha, our housekeeper who watched me grow up—a second mother to me.
"M-Martha? Haven't you gone back to your hometown?"
"Oh dear, how could I leave you at such a time? I'll always be here for you."
Tears prickled my eyes. Martha was the person I had relied on the most after Mom's death. But Nathan had convinced me to let Martha retire a year after our marriage. Considering her reluctance to accept Nathan, I had kind of rudely asked her to leave, which was the biggest mistake of my life.
Yet the next time I heard the news of her passing away in an accident, the lady stood right before me, hale and hearty.
"Emerald?" Dad's voice caught my attention again. His worried face and affection... everything was here again.
Seeing him, suddenly one realization crossed my mind: I am indeed reborn! It's not a fucking loophole but a second chance in life! It's the point where I made some major decisions that ended my life before; at least this is the only reasonable explanation I have for now.
"Dad..." I ran to him and hugged him tightly. "Dad..." My happiness was beyond reach. I don't know if it was a dream or if some miracle happened to me; I only cared about the moment in my father's arms.
"Honey, what is wrong? Why are you running like this?" Unaware of my reality, Dad was overly concerned.
If I'm right, in his view, I have lost it due to my miscarriage. After all, I'm so vulnerable when it comes to conceiving.
I shook my head vigorously. "Nothing's wrong, Dad, not anymore. Everything is fine now." I smiled between my sobs.
"Alright, love, come inside. You should rest and not run around." He once again brought me to my room and helped me sit on the bed comfortably.
He was about to sit in the chair, but I stopped him and hugged his waist. His lifeless, pale body was still alive in my mind. How they didn't even let me see him for the last time still stung my heart.
I once again broke down in tears. Dad caressed my head. He knew how much I valued the child, and after losing it, I was so depressed.
"Hey, honey, it's alright. I may not understand your pain, but I can assure you nothing's changed. You're still my beloved daughter, and Nathan still loves you so much."
However, the moment I heard that name, a feeling of nausea rushed through my veins.
"Nathan?" I looked up at my father with a frown.
Of course...
How did I forget? In this new beginning, I needed to face those demons once again.
.....