When Clara opened her eyes, she was hit with a strange sense of disorientation and a familiar surroundings bathed in soft morning light, the familiar scent of the vanilla from the diffuser she placed in her room. As she sat up and scanned the date on his phone, realization struck him like lightning: he had somehow traveled back in time. The weight of everything, the marriage with Alex and the death of her father all came rushing back, but so did something else: hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the second chance she had begged for without knowing it.
Today was the day she and Liam were supposed to meet for the first time again at that fateful family dinner in the private room of the Jade Dragon restaurant. Clara never imagined she'd get another chance to see Liam, still captivated by his handsome features, the warmth in his smile, and the effortless charm he exuded.
But now, here she was. Staring at the date on her phone, she realized she had been given the unimaginable opportunity to rewrite the past. The events she had once helplessly watched unfold and her own decisions, could now be altered. She had no idea how this had happened or why. Perhaps this was her chance to fix everything.
She took a deep breath, the rush of emotion still settling in her chest. She took a deep breath. The memories of her marriage to Alex surged,his motives driven by a hunger for her family's wealth, the subtle violence that had slowly eroded her sense of self. She had married him as she thought it was the best choice for her. But now, with the chance to rewrite her own story, she realized how much of herself she had sacrificed along the way.
After dinner, their parents gave them space, nudging them toward the same casual walk as before. Clara followed a few steps behind Liam as they walked along the lantern-lit street outside the restaurant. She was still thinking how she could rewrite her life once more. Suddenly, Liam stopped and turned around. Clara, caught off guard, bumped lightly into his chest. "I'm sorry!" she gasped, stepping back quickly, but Liam's hands instinctively found her waist to steady her. Their eyes met and her cheek turned red instantly.
"You finally spoke," he teased gently, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "I was waiting for you to speak." Clara let out a soft breath, her fingers tightening around the edge of her purse. "I'll just say it," she said, voice quiet but clear. "I know you only said nice things earlier because you didn't want to reject my father. I also know… " She tried to step back, but Liam didn't let go.
"Clara," he said firmly, "let's give this a try." She blinked. "Are you joking?"
"I'm serious," he said, the warmth in his eyes grounding her.
"Don't you want to see where this could go?" Clara hesitated, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone.
"I…" she began, but no words came.
"Then let's take the first step. Together," Liam said with a quiet smile, not pushing, just waiting.
For the first time, she didn't say no. Instead, she nodded. Clara thought maybe she was given the second chance to fight for a chance to be with Liam. They exchanged numbers before Liam walked her to her car.
The moment she got home, Clara sat on the edge of her bed, heart racing. Her fingers hovered over her phone screen before she finally typed out a simple message.
Goodnight :) She stared at it for a moment before gathering the courage to hit send. Moments later, her phone buzzed. Goodnight. See you tomorrow.
Her breath caught. See you tomorrow? The words lingered in her mind as she lay back against the pillows. She still couldn't believe that Liam agreed for them to know each other more.
The next day at college, Clara sat in her usual spot by the window in the bustling campus cafeteria, a tray of half-eaten food in front of her as she chatted absently with Emily about an upcoming presentation. Her mind drifted more than once, but she tried to stay focused until movement near the entrance caught her eye. Liam had just walked in, dressed in his usual sharp-yet-effortless style, his dark hair slightly tousled from the wind. He looked around briefly, then made his way to the coffee counter, pulling out his phone as he waited. Clara felt her pulse jump without warning. She tried not to stare, tried to act natural, but something in her posture shifted, her fingers tightening slightly around her drink.
Just then, her phone vibrated on the table. She glanced down and froze. Liam Reynolds was calling. Her breath hitched. For a heartbeat, she simply stared at the screen, unable to move. "Are you going to answer that?" Emily asked, glancing at her curiously. Clara nodded slowly, feeling the world narrow to the hum of her phone and the faint sound of Liam's voice, still far away. She picked up, bringing the phone to her ear with a cautious, quiet "Hello?" At the front of the cafeteria, Liam turned slightly, phone pressed to his own ear, and when their eyes met across the room, he smiled—warm, knowing, and just a little amused. "Hey," he said, his voice smooth and familiar, "Are you having lunch break too? Can I join you?"
Clara's lips curled into a shy smile as she glanced up at him through her lashes, still holding the phone to her ear. "Sure, we are sitting behind the pillar at the window," she said, her voice softer now, almost secret. "If you don't mind sitting with two stressed-out business majors and a half-eaten sandwich." Liam chuckled, the sound warm and low in her ear before he ended the call and began walking toward her table. Clara quickly straightened her posture, brushing a crumb from her skirt and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Emily looked between them with wide eyes and a barely concealed grin but said nothing, wisely choosing to gather her things. "I'm gonna go print the slides for our presentation," she said with a wink, giving Clara a subtle nudge with her elbow before slipping away.
Liam slid into the seat across from her, setting his coffee down with a casual ease, but his eyes never left hers. "So, this is your favorite spot?" he asked, glancing at the window. "Good lighting. Strategic people-watching angle. I approve." Clara laughed, and the tension that had been coiled in her chest since he walked in began to unravel. "It's quiet," she said. "And the sunlight keeps me awake before the next class."
He nodded, then leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table, his gaze softening. "I'm glad I ran into you again. I've been thinking about you… since last night actually." Clara's breath caught, her fingers toying nervously with the edge of her tray. "Oh?"
He nodded again, this time more slowly. "Yeah. I thought about texting you. But then I figured calling would be more… personal." His smile turned playful. "Old-school, even."
She couldn't help but grin. "Bold move, Reynolds."
He tilted his head. "Would it be too bold if I said I want to see you again? Outside of campus. Just us."
Clara's cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away. "I'd like that."
Liam's smile deepened, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Clara felt the steady warmth of something unfamiliar but comforting settle in her chest. A feeling she hadn't allowed herself to name. Not since everything with Alex. Not since the world had shown her how easily love could be used as a weapon. But sitting here, across from Liam withhis gaze steady, his words genuine, his presence calm in all the right ways, she let herself breathe again.
They lingered like that for a while, slipping into an easy rhythm neither of them had expected. They talked about their classes, favorite books, the worst lecture they'd survived. Clara found herself laughing more than she had in weeks, and every time she looked at Liam, she saw not the heir to a powerful business empire, but the boy who had once helped her in elementary school.
As they stood to leave, Liam picked up her tray along with his, surprising her with the small gesture. "So," he said as they stepped into the sunlight just outside the cafeteria doors, "how do you feel about weekend markets?"
Clara raised a brow. "Weekend markets?"
"There's one downtown. Local art, live music, slightly overpriced pastries. Thought it might be the perfect place for a first date," he smiled. Clara paused, then slowly nodded. "I think I'd like that."
He leaned in just slightly, enough to brush his shoulder against hers. "Good. Then it's a date."
And as they walked off together, side by side, the warmth of the afternoon wrapping around them like a soft promise, Clara felt something shift, not just in her heart, but in the quiet belief that maybe, just maybe, her story wasn't over.
It was only just beginning.