Caleb Vaughn and I spent half our lives locked in a miserable marriage. Before the end, we glared at each other, hurling our most venomous curses, wishing to never meet again in another life. He hated me for tying him down with marriage and children, robbing him of his dream to move to Los Angeles and become a singer. I hated him for spending all his time partying while leaving his ailing parents and our two children solely in my care. And then, amid the resentment, we were reborn. Our eyes met across the crowd, and without hesitation, we turned and walked away in opposite directions. This time, I hope neither of us regrets it. Content The day I changed my college application, Dad walked into my room, glanced at my computer, and gave an approving nod. “Good. With grades like yours, you should go to a top university. Quit wasting your time running after that Vaughn kid. What’s so great about him anyway?” Mom, overhearing from the kitchen, rushed in and tugged Dad out of the room, giving him a sharp glare. I watched them leave, a bittersweet smile tugging at my lips before a sudden wave of sadness hit me. In my past life, I had run out late at night to the Willow Creek Train Depot to find Caleb. My parents, worried, went looking for me and were hit by a drunk truck driver. I never got to say goodbye. Swallowing my tears, I moved my mouse and pressed the confirm button on my application without hesitation.
In my past life, Caleb Vaughn, my childhood best friend, suddenly announced he wanted to become a singer and move to L.A. to chase his dreams. But before that, he had always said that staying together and attending the same college was his dream. For him, I threw away my near-perfect SAT score and applied to Greenfield Community College, the same small school he chose. But just two days before the acceptance letters arrived, he decided to leave for L.A. That night, Mrs. Eleanor Vaughn and Mr. Daniel Vaughn showed up at our door, begging me to find their son. I went. My parents, worried sick, followed and were killed in an accident. When I finally dragged Caleb back, his parents blamed him for my parents’ deaths and insisted he make amends by marrying me. So, I forced Caleb into an engagement. The plan was to marry after graduation, but by sophomore year, I was pregnant and had to drop out. The whirlwind of getting married, having a baby, and managing a household swallowed two years of my life. I was excited to return to school until Caleb’s parents fell ill and moved in with us. Caleb told me to be understanding. His parents had sacrificed so much for his education; now they needed care. He, of course, would be the breadwinner. I didn’t mention that his $1,500-a-month job barely covered formula and groceries. Eventually, I sold The Brooks Family Ranch to pay for his parents’ medical bills while raising two children. All the while, Caleb was out spending his measly salary on music equipment and partying with friends, claiming it was for his “dream.” When the burden of family life became unbearable, our arguments escalated. He accused me of being bitter and narrow-minded, blaming me for dragging him back from L.A. and ruining his shot at stardom. He even accused me of weaponizing my parents’ deaths to trap him into marriage. I hit back, calling him delusional for thinking his scratchy voice could ever make him a star. When he brought up my parents again, I snapped and lunged at him, only for him to shove me away violently. After that, Caleb started avoiding home altogether. His parents turned their frustrations on me, accusing me of being petty and difficult, conveniently forgetting how they had begged me to find their son. I worked myself to the bone doing odd jobs to keep the family afloat. But the children I raised with such effort still gravitated toward their father, who barely lifted a finger for them. I thought they’d understand one day, but that day never came. Even after they grew up and started their own families, they chose Caleb over me. “Mom, you were always too controlling. We’re done listening to you.” “Dad’s dreams were crushed because of you. He deserves another chance to go to L.A.” “Grandma and Grandpa were right. You just wanted to control everyone’s lives. You’re selfish!” Heartbroken, I went home only to find Caleb packing his bags with a smug grin, bragging about his “better future” now that he was leaving me behind. After devoting over two decades to this family, all I got was a label of being selfish and controlling. Why did Caleb get to walk away unscathed, hailed as the cool, understanding father? I snapped and shoved him. He grabbed a vase and swung it at me, snarling, “You dare lay a hand on me? I’ll kill you!” And that’s how we both died—mutual destruction. As I lay on the ground bleeding out, my last prayer was simple: If there’s another life, please, don’t let me meet Caleb Vaughn again.
I woke up on the day I was supposed to change my college application. Seeing my parents alive and well, I vowed to cut all ties with Caleb Vaughn. After the SATs, there were endless parties. At one of them, I spotted Caleb laughing with a group of friends nearby. “Did you hear Caleb Vaughn’s dropping out of school to go to L.A. and become a singer?” “Wow, he’s gonna be one of those L.A. Dreamers! We should get his autograph now before he’s famous.” “Leona, you and Caleb grew up together. Did you know he was planning this?” I felt a push from a friend, and my eyes locked with Caleb’s across the crowd. In that instant, I knew—Caleb had been reborn too. “I don’t know anything about it. I’ve got to go.” Without hesitation, I turned and walked away. If he wanted to go to L.A., fine. His life was no longer my concern.
As the day Caleb Vaughn planned to leave for Los Angeles drew closer, I sweet-talked my parents, saying I missed Grandma Mae and wanted to visit her to see the new ducklings on her farm. My parents, who always indulged me, packed up immediately without a second thought. Just as we were heading out, Mrs. Eleanor Vaughn opened her door and looked at us curiously. “Heading out?” she asked. My dad chuckled warmly. “The kid wants to visit her grandma. We’ll be gone for a few days.” Mrs. Vaughn smiled and nodded, her eyes trailing after us as we left. I kept my face neutral, though my fists clenched tightly in anger, nails digging into my palms. How foolish I had been in my previous life to think this woman genuinely cared for me. Only later did I realize her true intentions. She’d had her sights on our family home all along. After my parents passed in a tragic accident, she worked tirelessly to push me and Caleb into marriage, playing the role of the caring neighbor while manipulating the situation for her benefit. In those days, I was a grieving orphan, completely defenseless. Her sweet demeanor and constant care broke through my walls. And because I liked Caleb, I let myself be guided into the marriage. Little did I know, it had all been a calculated plan from the start. I exhaled slowly, suppressing the trembling born of anger. Smiling, I started talking to my parents about Grandma Mae’s new pony, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb rushing by. He had likely realized I had also been reborn, forcing him to speed up his plans to leave. When we arrived at Grandma Mae’s, we sat down to a hearty dinner. The joy of being with my parents and grandma enveloped me, but then my mom’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, frowning. It was Mrs. Vaughn. “Caleb insists on going to Los Angeles to become a singer. He’s refusing to go to school, and now he’s threatening to leave no matter what. Daniel and I can’t convince him. Could Leona come back and talk to him? The two of them are so close—he’ll listen to her!” Mrs. Vaughn’s voice quivered with desperation. Her words mirrored those from my previous life. My mom looked at me, hesitant. Traveling back to Willow Creek at this time would be difficult. I placed my fork down calmly, took the phone, and replied. “Mrs. Vaughn, this is Caleb’s decision. I can’t interfere, and even if I tried, he’d only resent me for it. I think you should respect his choice.” Before she could respond, I hung up, swiftly blocking her number. My efficient actions left my parents stunned. Grandma Mae, ever wise, broke the silence. “Eat your dinner. Other people’s troubles are their own. We have no reason to get involved.” Her words resonated deeply with me. After dinner, I crouched in the yard, scratching our dog behind his ears while my parents approached hesitantly. “Leona,” my mom began, her tone cautious. “You’re different lately. What’s going on?” My dad, though silent, watched me with concern. Their worried faces made my chest tighten. I wiped at my eyes, surprised to feel the sting of tears. “Mom, Dad,” I said, my voice steady despite my emotions, “I had a dream.” I described it as a vivid nightmare, recounting every detail of my past life—the manipulation, the tragedies, and how I became a pawn in the Vaughns’ schemes. My dad’s face darkened as I spoke, his expression growing stormy with each word. When I explained how everything started with Caleb’s decision to leave and Mrs. Vaughn’s request, understanding dawned on their faces. “Sweetheart, you’ve been through so much,” my mom murmured, wrapping her arms around me protectively. Her tears wet my hair as she whispered reassurances. My dad, ever pragmatic, lit a cigarette and announced firmly, “That settles it. When we get back, we’re moving. We need to get as far away from the Vaughns as possible.” I hadn’t expected such unwavering support. Overcome with gratitude, I nodded, tears spilling freely. Hugging my mom tighter, I soaked in her warmth. We stayed at Grandma Mae’s for two blissful weeks. I got a bit of a tan from working outdoors, and when we returned, she sent us home with a carload of fresh produce. Before we moved, we spent a few more days in our old house. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, Mrs. Vaughn appeared, her tear-streaked face contorted with a mix of desperation and anger.
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