Returning Unwanted Goods

In my previous life, on the day Owen and I got married, Vanessa ended her life by slitting her wrist in a hotel. He left me behind at the venue and rushed to her side.

I thought her death would be the wedge that kept us apart forever. The sight of him so broken over her only deepened my sorrow. I thought we were done for.

But instead, Owen held me tight and murmured, "You're the only one I have left, Audrey Millar."

After we were married, he treated me like I was the center of his universe. He wouldn't let me do a single chore and did it all himself.

Even with a packed schedule, he always made it a point to come home for dinner. He kept his assistants all male, saying it was to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings or drama.

My friends couldn't stop talking about how lucky I was to have such a perfect man. I, too, felt incredibly fortunate to have Owen in my life.

But on our tenth anniversary, I found myself dead at his hands. He accused me of ruining his relationship with Vanessa, then viciously bled me dry.

So when I found out I had been granted another chance at life, all I wanted was to stay far away from them and find some peace.

But the instant I saw Owen again—so radiant and full of confidence—it felt like a knife plunging into my heart. He stood there outside the office building with Vanessa by his side.

The tenderness in his gaze when he looked at her could have melted everything around him. As soon as he saw me, his expression faltered, and he turned to her, worry creeping into his eyes.

The sight of him brought back a flood of memories from my past life. I was always fighting with Owen over Vanessa.

Whenever things got ugly, he'd give me that disappointed look and say, "Vanessa and I are just friends now. She's in poor health. Can't you just stop this nonsense and leave her alone? She still has feelings for me, so stay away from her!"

Then he'd leave me behind and travel with her.

At 20, Owen was terrible at hiding his emotions. He was like a porcupine, offering Vanessa his vulnerable side while bristling every quill in my direction.

I lowered my head and picked up the pace, trying to slip away unnoticed.

Vanessa, looking flustered and anxious, called out, "Owen's just trying to keep me company, Ms. Millar. Please don't fight with him over me, okay? No one's bringing their girlfriends to tonight's singles party, so don't read too much into it… Owen, Ms. Millar looks upset. Why don't you try to cheer her up?"

Owen offered Vanessa a loving smile before responding nonchalantly, "Audrey won't stay mad at me. She's been more agreeable lately. Besides, if I tried to cheer her up, you'd get upset, and I couldn't bear to see you like that."

I froze, his words cutting through me like a sharp blade.

Owen's frustration boiled over when he saw me still standing there. "What are you still doing here? Just the sight of you irritates me. Oh, and by the way, Vanessa's going to start working here. I'll be driving her to and from the office, so stay out of our way. Don't make her upset."

…

The following day, with swollen eyes from crying all night, I handed in the proposal I'd worked on through the night. Along with it, I submitted my resignation.

After leaving the director's office, I made my way back to my desk to gather my things.

Just then, there was a commotion by the door. I looked up and saw Owen and Vanessa walking in. They were dressed in matching colors, their conversation light and full of laughter.

Owen's hand rested protectively on Vanessa, his eyes soft with affection. They looked every bit like a couple at first sight.