novelnext Chapter 2
Chapter 2
The fire that ended my last life burned away any love I had left for Mia Jefferson.
The day I told her Evan Sutherland's test came back HIV-positive, she looked at me like I was filth.
"Are you jealous of Evan?" she snapped, smashing our couple's mug against the floor. "Making up something that disgusting? You're sick."
She never came back to our apartment after that. Not once. Not until the hospital director called me into his office, face grim as he pointed at his computer—pages and pages of fake malpractice reports, edited death certificates, and emotional videos of sobbing "victims."
"Dr. Hodgson," he said, rubbing his temples, "you're suspended until further notice."
I found Mia in the parking lot that same evening. Her fresh manicure gleamed like polished glass under the sun, sharp and cold as snake scales.
"I did it," she said flatly, holding up her phone. "One more tap, and the whole world sees you as a murderer who fakes records."
When I grabbed her wrist, she slapped me hard enough to split my lip.
"Evan's exhibition is next week," she hissed. "If you ruin this for him, I swear, I'll ruin you. You're done, Ryan. Fired."
Three months later, in the dim silence of my rented apartment, I got a call from her mom. She was crying. Said Mia had been coughing up blood.
My hands trembled as I stared at the test results: HIV-positive.
"Don't tell her it was me who ran the tests," I said over the phone, voice barely audible. "Let this be... the last thing I do for her."
The night I died, the flames danced across the walls as if celebrating. I remember hearing Mia laugh, her voice blending with the crackling fire.
"Evan says burned bodies turn into ash butterflies," she giggled. "Fly for me, Ryan."
As smoke seared my lungs, I suddenly remembered our first date. The way she stood on tiptoe to brush cherry blossoms off my shoulder. Her fingers had felt like spring.
Now, I've been reborn—and this time, I'll watch those two choke on their own poison.
I called the Jeffersons that evening.
"Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson," I said calmly, "I'd like to cancel the engagement."
There was a stunned silence before Mia's mom burst out, "Did Mia do something again? I'll talk to her—"
"It's not that," I cut in. "We're just not right for each other."
Her husband took the phone next. "Ryan, you two grew up together. You've been through so much. Can't you work it out?"
"I'm sorry, sir," I said, voice steady. "My mind's made up."
After half an hour of trying to talk me down, they finally gave in. The moment I hung up, it felt like a weight lifted off my chest.
That night, my phone vibrated violently. Mia's name lit up the screen.
"Ryan Hodgson!" she screeched the moment I answered. "You really broke off the engagement?! Just because I stayed with Evan?!"
I leaned against the balcony railing, letting the cool wind wash over me. "That's not why."
"Then what?" Her voice cracked, like she couldn't believe it. "What the hell's wrong with you?!"
"I just realized you and Evan are perfect for each other," I said, staring out at the glittering skyline. "I'm stepping aside."
There was a pause on the line. I could practically see the look on her face—stunned, confused, furious.
"You're serious?" she finally choked out. "Don't you dare regret this later!"
"I won't." A dry laugh slipped out. "Hope you two live happily ever after."
I ended the call before she could reply. My screen immediately lit up with her texts.
[You wanna die that badly?]
[Who told you to hang up on me?]
[Where's Evan's medical bill money?!]
That last one made me laugh out loud. For three years, every time Evan so much as sneezed, Mia had some excuse for me to cover his bills. "He's just a friend," she used to say. What a joke.
I tapped her name, scrolled down, and hit Block.
She'd never see another cent from me.
The night wind howled past my window, scattering the last of my hesitation. I knew—this time, I was finally free.