Denzel's weak voice called out to me, his words laced with struggle. "Marion..."
"Don't say a word, just relax," I choked out between sobs, my heart heavy with grief. "I caused all this... I don't deserve death, I deserve ten thousand sorrows and death. I'm so sorry, Denzel, I'm so sorry."
Tears streamed down my face as I gazed at Denzel's broken body. His once-strong frame now lay limp, his skin pale and clammy. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, threatening to consume me whole.
"It's not your fault, Mari," Denzel whispered, his voice barely audible. "It's mine. I wasn't able to protect you well."
As Denzel tried to sit up, his body twitched, but he couldn't move. I watched in horror, feeling helpless. My mind replayed the events that led us here, the choices I made, and the trust I misplaced.
I thought of Clarissa and my stepmother, Julia, and how they manipulated me. Anger flared within me, but I knew I couldn't blame them entirely. I was foolish to fall for their schemes.
"Denzel, whose fault is it if not mine?" I asked, my voice shaking. "You lost everything because of me... your wealth, your parents, your legs..."
Denzel's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep sadness. "No, Marion, you weren't stupid. You were deceived. Forgive yourself."
But I couldn't forgive myself. Not yet. I felt a surge of regret and longing. "I'm sorry, Denzel. I know it's selfish of me to ask for your forgiveness, but please... forgive me."
As I spoke, Denzel's gaze never wavered. His voice grew weaker, but his words remained resolute. "Marion, from the moment I met you, I knew you were different. I want to protect you, to love you with my whole life... maybe in another life, I'll have the chance."
Denzel's voice faded, leaving only silence. I held my breath, willing him to stay with me, but his body went still. I felt a piece of my heart shatter, leaving an unfillable void.
In that moment, I knew everything was over. Yet, a spark within me refused to die. I wished for a second chance, a chance to rewrite our fate, to make different choices.
But for now, all I could do was whisper, "I'm sorry, Denzel. I love you."
Denzel's voice grew weaker, his words laced with regret. "Actually, Marion, most of this is my fault. I knew Clarissa was up to no good, but I didn't tell you because I knew how much you loved and cherished her. You cared about her so much."
Denzel's gaze locked onto mine, filled with a deep sadness. "And I also thought I could protect you forever. I forgot I'm human, I don't have superhuman abilities. I forgot I'll be worn out one day."
"Forgive me, Marion," Denzel whispered, his voice fading. "Marion, if there's another life, I want to be your husband again. I want to protect you and love you with my whole life... maybe by then I would have gotten a little bit of superhuman abilities."
Denzel's fragile smile broke my heart. "I love you, Marion. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you forever. But I want you to promise me you'll leave this place and live for yourself."
With his last ounce of strength, Denzel spoke words that would haunt me forever. I knew the moment he drank the poison meant for me that he would die, but I still hoped for a miracle.
As Denzel's eyes closed, I lay beside him, my heart shattered. "Denzel, I can't promise you that. I don't deserve to live for myself. If I could reverse time, I'd protect you instead."
My voice trembled as I spoke, my sanity slowly unraveling. "I thought I was the most stupid human being on earth... Denzel, you're so foolish! How could you still love me after knowing I'd cause your death?"
I laughed hysterically, my mind reeling. "We attract each other because you're a foolish man and I'm a stupid woman... our kids would be the dumbest beings on earth!"
As the hours passed, I continued talking, my voice hoarse. "Denzel, it's cold... let me warm you up. I'll sing you a song... you'll like it."
I sang "Tell Me Lies," my heart pouring out the words. But as I finished, I heard footsteps. "Denzel, someone's here... but I'm too tired to welcome them. Wake me up in the morning, okay? I love you."
My eyes closed, and everything went black. Unbeknownst to me, Clarissa's lackey had arrived, intent on burning our vacation home to the ground, staging our deaths as a tragic home accident.
The lackey followed Clarissa's orders, filling the house with gas and setting it ablaze, consuming everything in its path.
_____
Marion slowly opened her heavy eyelids, her vision blurry, her voice hoarse. Tears streamed down her face as memories of her husband flooded her mind. "Denzel," she called out weakly.
Dexter, Marion's father, rushed to her side. He yearned to hold her hands but recalled she disliked that. "Are you sure she's okay, doctor?" Dexter asked anxiously. "My daughter isn't getting any better."
Marion struggled to open her eyes, but her father's voice, unmistakable and comforting, reached her. "Denzel," she called out louder.
Dexter's face lit up with relief. "Darling, you're finally awake! I thought I'd lost you. Daddy's so sorry for going on a long journey without taking you along." Tears streamed down his face.
Marion managed to open her eyes, seeing her father cry. It felt surreal, yet comforting. She closed her eyes, shaking her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Memories of Denzel's sacrifice and her father's supposed death swirled in her mind.
"How is this possible?" Marion wondered. "What date is it?" she asked hoarsely.
"25th of March," Dexter announced with a warm smile. "Don't worry, darling, I'll cancel the marriage arrangement with Denzel immediately. He's downstairs with his family. I'm deeply sorry for putting you through this distress. I thought you'd like him."
Dexter's expression turned somber, filled with regret. "How could my daughter attempt to take her own life simply because she doesn't want to marry a man? What kind of father have I become?"
Marion thought to herself, a hint of a smile on her lips, "I've been given a second chance â a chance to rewrite my fate with Denzel and save my father."
"Daddy, I wasn't trying to commit suicide," Marion explained urgently, her voice hoarse. "I was saving a ginger kitten from being hit by a car. Then I got hit instead. You can check the garden; the kitten usually plays there." Marion's eyes pleaded with her father.Â
Marion said in her thought "I don't want Denzel's family to think I'm some spoiled girl. I'm sure Clarissa and Julia are ruining my reputation downstairs right now."
Dexter's surprise was evident. "A kitten?" he repeated.
Marion asked, her voice cute and endearing, "Can I adopt it, Daddy?"
Dexter smiled warmly. "You can do whatever you want, darling."
Marion continued, "Clarissa told you I didn't want to marry Denzel, but that's not true. I've actually liked him for a very long time."
Marion's voice turned shy. "But I disagreed to marry him yesterday because I wanted to maintain my image in front of you, Daddy."
Marion's expression turned pleading. "Daddy, I want to drink water. My throat aches."
Dexter apologized, "I'm so sorry, darling. I forgot the most important thing. I'll get you water right now."
As Dexter left, Clarissa entered the room, concern etched on her face. "Elder sister, are you okay? I was worried about you."
Marion looked at Clarissa with disgust. "Listen up Clarissa, I'm the only one allowed to call my father 'Daddy' because he's my real father. You're just my step-sister your mother brought along with her.Â
Clarissa stood speechless, taken aback by Marion's words.