Ivy Green had always been a gentle soul. She lived a quiet, simple life as a florist, finding beauty in the delicate petals of flowers and the way they bloomed with grace, even in their short lives. Her days were filled with love, peace, and a belief in the goodness of people. But that shattered the day her fiancé, Samuel, and her stepsister, Elise, betrayed her.
The life she had so carefully built crumbled in one devastating moment, leaving her broken.
Now, she stood in a place that felt unfamiliar yet strangely familiar. The pain of betrayal still lingered in her heart, but deep within, she felt something new—a light, faint yet powerful, lighting up her soul.
As she stood there, Ivy realized she was no longer on the edge of the bridge where she had fallen. There were no icy raindrops or city sounds. Instead, she was surrounded by calmness. The air felt cool but comforting, like a soft embrace that, brought promises of something greater.
Her mind raced with questions: Why am I still here? What is this place? But before she could make sense of it, a strange sense of clarity washed over her as if the answers would reveal themselves when the time was right.
"I'm not the same person anymore," she whispered, her voice trembling but resolute.
Suddenly, a voice echoed within her mind, gentle yet firm.
You are not.
You are reborn, Ivy Green.
The power within you will grow, but you must learn to control it.
Ivy froze. The voice seemed to come from nowhere, yet it felt oddly familiar. It sent a shiver through her—not out of fear, but because it felt like a part of her, a truth she had always ignored.
"I have… power?" Ivy asked aloud, her voice filled with both curiosity and hesitation.
Yes. The power has always been within you, Ivy. You simply didn't know it. It is the strength of your heart—the will to stand up for yourself and protect what you love.
Ivy closed her eyes, focusing on the strange sensation in her chest. It was faint, like the warmth of a candle flickering in the dark, but it was there. This power wasn't something she could see or hold, yet she could feel it pulsing under her skin, waiting to be awakened.
You will learn in time, the voice said.
But now, you must return to the world you left behind.
Before she could respond, the world around her shifted. In an instant, she was back on the familiar streets of the city—the very streets that had witnessed her heartbreak. The sights and sounds were the same, but Ivy was different.
She wasn't the timid woman who had once walked these streets, afraid of confrontation and desperate for love. She was someone new—someone stronger.
Her destination was clear. She needed answers. She needed to face Samuel and Elise, to confront the people who had destroyed her trust.
When she arrived at Samuel's apartment, her heart pounded, but this time, it wasn't from fear. It was from determination. Without hesitation, she knocked on the door.
It opened slowly, revealing Samuel. His face paled when he saw her, his guilt written all over his expression. The man she had once loved looked small and weak now, unable to hide his shame.
"Ivy," he stammered. "I… I didn't think you would come back. I—"
"I saw you," Ivy interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "With Elise. Don't bother lying."
Samuel's mouth opened, but no words came out. He looked like a deer caught in headlights, scrambling for an excuse that wouldn't come.
"Ivy, please, let me explain—" he began, stepping forward as if to reach for her.
Ivy didn't move. She stood her ground, her gaze sharp and unyielding.
"You used me, didn't you?" she said, her voice cold. "You and Elise—both of you. I gave you my trust, my love, and this is how you repay me?"
Samuel's silence was all the confirmation she needed.
"I was blind to who you really were," Ivy continued, her anger building. "But not anymore. I see you now, Samuel. You don't deserve my love—or my forgiveness."
Her words hung in the air, heavy and final. For the first time in her life, Ivy felt no fear. She wasn't afraid of his reaction or of standing up for herself. The power she had sensed earlier stirred within her, like a flame growing stronger with each passing moment.
Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Samuel and her shattered past behind.
This wasn't the end of her story.
It was just the beginning.