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Elena

I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, adjusting the soft lavender sundress that hugged my frame. It had been a long road to get here.

A year of distance, healing, and rediscovering myself. A year of traveling, of learning to live without guilt.

I learned a lot about how to be happy again.

Now, I was back at school, not just to finish my degree but for something even bigger?—

A second chance. A second chance at my dream. A second chance at love.

I didn’t really expect the guys to wait for me. In fact, I counted on returning to them having regained their lives and being happy. If they had, then I would be happy for them. I had no expectations, but damn, if I didn’t pray for that second chance.

I smoothed my hands down my dress, slipped on my sandals with a slight heel, and fluffed my dark waves.

I was ready.

For Adrian.

For Troy.

For whatever came next.

I knocked on Adrian’s door, my heart pounding against my ribs.

It swung open immediately—like he had been waiting for me. He looked different but the same.

His black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, his dark hair a tousled mess, and his green eyes filled with something that looked too much like hope.

He didn’t touch me. He just stepped back, his voice soft and warm.

“Come in.”

I did, stepping into his beautiful space, my gaze sweeping over the sleek furniture, the book-lined walls, and the open kitchen flowing into the living room.

It was so Adrian.

I turned to him, my cheeks warm.

“You look… good.”

He smiled, slow and gentle.

“So do you,” he murmured. “Beautiful.”

Adrian led me to the kitchen, pulling out my chair before fixing me a plate.

Lasagna. My favorite. He remembered.

I smiled as he poured me a glass of wine and served me a small salad.

“I made the dressing,” he said bashfully. “My first time. It might be bad. Sorry ahead of time.”

I took a bite, letting the flavor burst against my tongue. It definitely wasn’t bad, and I said as much.

“I like it. It’s delicious.”

He gave me a relieved smile and dug into his food.

We made small talk, and for the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel forced.

It felt easy.

Like breathing. Like home.

“I have this one professor. Huge pain in the ass. I swear the guy lives and breathes to do pop quizzes. ”

“I’m sure you do fine,” I said, smiling at him. “You’ve always been smart.”

He shrugged and gave me a tiny smile. “Doesn’t make me hate the guy any less.”

I laughed as he continued to tell me about his classes and the books he’d been reading, and then—He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I, uh…” He looked down at his plate. “I started writing a book.”

I widened my eyes at the news, genuinely excited for him.

“Adrian, that’s amazing!” I grinned. “I can’t wait to read it. What’s it about?”

His cheeks flushed, and he waved a hand. “It’s nothing?—”

“What’s it about? Come on. Tell me.”

His smile faded slightly, his fingers tightening around his fork.

“It’s about a guy who fell in love with a girl,” he said slowly. “And lost her… because he did something stupid.”

I stopped eating. My heart clenched.

“He spends the rest of his life trying to make it up to her,” Adrian continued, his voice rough. “But she keeps running.” He swallowed, his jaw tight. “And in the end… he dies alone.”

My throat tightened as I breathed out softly.

Adrian looked away. “But when he wakes up in the next life… she’s the one who saves him after an accident. It’s a second chance, a story of reincarnation. I want to think real events inspired it.”

I felt the first tear slip down my cheek.

I pushed my chair back and moved toward him, sinking to my knees beside his seat.

He turned, his green eyes locking onto mine.

“I’m sorry, Elena,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “For hurting you. For lying about Dean. For what I did to you the last night we were together.” His hands balled into fists, his breathing uneven.

“I’m not that guy. I swear I’m not,” he choked out, “But I was desperate. I was scared I was losing you. I was on borrowed time, and all I wanted was to keep you forever. I fucked up. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

He reached for me, cradling my face like I was something precious .

“If you only came back to be my sister, I’ll accept that,” he murmured. “But, fuck, baby… please tell me it’s more than that.”He sucked in a sharp breath. “Because I love you. So much. I’ve been waiting for you since the day they rescued us. Hell, I think I’ve been waiting my entire life for you, and I’m willing to wait for another lifetime if it means I’ll get you in the end.”

I swallowed back a sob.

He cupped my jaw, his thumb brushing away my tears.

“It’s more than trauma. More than survival,” he whispered. “You’re it for me, Elena. This is love.” He exhaled shakily, his eyes shining. “I haven’t touched another woman since you. I don’t want anyone else. You own me.”

His voice dropped to a desperate whisper.

“The man I was died in that crash, and I was reborn only for you.”

I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding against my ribs.

And then I whispered,

“I love you too.”

Adrian’s lips parted, his eyes widening.

“I love you and Troy,” I continued, tears spilling freely. “And I want to be with you. Both of you.”

A soft, choked sound left him, somewhere between a sob and a laugh.

Then he was pulling me into his arms, burying his face in my neck, his body shaking.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, holding him tight. “I wasn’t in the right state of mind. I was confused. I never should have left?—”

“Shh,” he breathed, kissing my temple, cheek, and jaw. “You’re here now.”

I pulled back, cupping his face.

“I love you,” I said again.

Adrian let out a low, soft laugh, his lips crashing into mine.

The kiss was deep, hungry, full of every broken piece of us stitching itself back together.

We laughed and cried against each other, breathing each other in, making up for every lost second.

But there was still one missing piece .

I pulled back, my fingers twining around his.

“We need to tell Troy,” I murmured.

Adrian nodded, swallowing hard. A slow, mischievous smile spread across his lips.

“You should probably be the one to tell him,” he said.

I laughed, wiping at my cheeks. “I’ll tell him,” I promised.

And this time, the only running I’d be doing would be toward him.