"I can't stay here," Ariana said, her voice resolute. "I need to go back. I need to protect my child and stop them before they destroy everything again."
"But there is a condition. Your time on Earth will be limited. You will have only one year to achieve your goals—protect your future child, seek revenge against Lucas and Sophia, and reclaim your happiness. After that year, your soul must return to this realm" Seraphina replied.
"One year?" Ariana whispered, her voice trembling. "That's not much time…"
Seraphina nodded. "It will not be easy. Your enemies are cunning, and the path ahead is fraught with challenges. But you will not face it empty-handed.To aid you in your journey, the heavens grant you a celestial gift."
With a wave of her hand, Seraphina summoned a golden light that enveloped Ariana. It was warm, soothing, and filled her with an overwhelming sense of clarity.
"This gift will heighten your intuition," Seraphina explained. "You will be able to discern the hidden truths behind words and actions.Trust your instincts, and let this gift guide you."
Ariana felt a warm surge of energy course through her, filling her with a sense of clarity she had never experienced before.
As the light faded, Ariana looked up at Seraphina with determination. "I won't fail. I'll fight for my child and for myself."
Seraphina smiled, her amethyst eyes glowing with pride."Very well. Then it is time for you to return. But remember, Ariana, this second chance is not without cost. You must act wisely, for your actions will shape not only your destiny but also the lives of those around you."
Ariana nodded. "I won't waste this chance."
Seraphina stepped back, her wings spreading wide as a golden light surrounded Ariana. "Close your eyes and focus on your resolve. When you awaken, you will find yourself in the life you once lived, six years before your marriage. Remember, Ariana, the clock starts ticking the moment you return."
The light grew brighter, and Ariana's vision blurred. She felt a pull, like her soul being carried on a swift current, ws the celestial realm faded.
The last thing she heard was Seraphina's voice, gentle but firm. "Your time begins now Ariana. Make it count."
The golden light engulfed Ariana, and for a moment, everything went dark. Then, a familiar sensation washed over her. The weight of her body, the sound of her own breathing, the feel of a soft mattress beneath her.
Ariana's eyes fluttered open, her breath catching as she stared at the ceiling above her. It was a soft pastel blue, a shade she remembered vividly. The faint smell of lavender lingered in the air, a scent she hadn't encountered in years. Sitting up, her heart raced as she took in her surroundings—a small, cozy room filled with familiar details from her youth.
Her fingers trembled as she reached for the mirror on her bedside table. Staring back at her was a younger version of herself—smooth, unblemished skin, bright eyes filled with potential, and a face untouched by the harshness of life. Tears pricked her eyes as she touched her reflection, disbelief and gratitude intertwining.
"I'm back," she whispered, her voice shaky yet resolute.
A knock at the door startled her, and a familiar voice called out.
"Ariana, breakfast is ready!"
Her heart skipped a beat. It was her mother's voice—gentle, warm, and alive. Ariana felt a lump in her throat as she scrambled out of bed, her feet carrying her to the door. She hesitated for a moment, clutching the doorknob, before opening it.
Her mother stood there, her kind eyes crinkling with a smile. She looked just as Ariana remembered—her hair tied back in a loose bun, wearing a floral apron dusted with flour. "Good morning, sweetheart. You look like you've seen a ghost!"
Ariana threw her arms around her mother, burying her face in her shoulder. "I've missed you," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Her mother chuckled, patting her back. "Missed me? You saw me last night, silly. Come on, breakfast is getting cold."
Ariana pulled back, her heart aching with love and regret. This was a second chance, not just to protect herself but to cherish the people she had taken for granted.
She followed her mother downstairs, the aroma of pancakes and syrup filling the air. Her father was seated at the dining table, reading the morning newspaper. He glanced up and smiled.
"There's my sleepyhead," he teased. "Did you finally decide to join us?"
Ariana smiled back, her heart swelling. "Good morning, Dad."
As they ate breakfast together, Ariana soaked in the warmth of her family's presence. Her parents chatted about mundane things—her father's work, her mother's plans for the garden—but to Ariana, it was perfect.
Later that day, Ariana sat in her room, scribbling notes and began jotting down everything she remembered from her previous life. Lucas, her fiance-turned-tormentor, had been a master manipulator. On the surface, he was charming and loving, but beneath the facade, he was cruel and unfaithful. His obsession with Sophia, Ariana's cousin sister, had been the root of her suffering.
Then she maps out her strategy. She listed Lucas's weaknesses, Sophia's manipulative tendencies, and the allies she could potentially rely on.
As she wrote, a wave of clarity washed over her. The future wasn't set in stone, and she had the power to shape it.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Ariana spent hours researching opportunities to further her education and career. She had always dreamed of starting her own business, and this time, she wouldn't let anything hold her back.
As the sun set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Ariana stood by her window, looking out at the world she had been given a second chance to change.
Her gaze drifted to the horizon, where the first stars began to twinkle. Somewhere out there, Lucas and Sophia were living their lives, unaware of the storm that was coming. Ariana smiled, her resolve unshakable.
Let them underestimate her. This time, she would be the one in control.