Chapter 3Enjoy The Life I Escaped From

I stayed at Mrs. Adler’s for another hour. I didn't rush. When I finally arrived at the county office, I saw it happening in real-time.

Rose was on the ground. David was helping her up.

He was staring at her with an expression I can only describe as "struck." The irritation he’d felt waiting for me had vanished, replaced by a raw, hungry kind of awe.

In my first life, I’d rushed over to help her. I’d been the one to strike up a conversation, being the "friendly wife." I’d been so blind.

Standing back now, as a spectator, it was so obvious it was sickening.

"David," I called out, my voice cool. "I’m here. Sorry I kept you waiting."

David stiffened. He looked at me, then back at Rose, his face a mask of panic and confusion.

"Oh... Nora. You’re... you’re here. I was just... she fell."

I noticed Rose looking at me. In my last life, she’d been shy. This time? Her gaze was complicated. There was a flash of something sharp—was it jealousy? Or something else?

I wondered: If they don't have the marriage license to blame this time, what will they do?

"Well, the clock is ticking," I said, pointing at the office door. "Let’s go get this over with."

David’s face went pale.

"Ow... my ankle," Rose suddenly whimpered.

In the first life, she hadn't been hurt. This time, her timing was impeccable. A cold shiver went down my spine. Did she know? Was she "back," too?

I watched her closely, but her face was a mask of girlish pain.

David didn't even hesitate. He took her to the local clinic. The doctor told him there was nothing wrong—just a slight scrape that would have healed by the time they walked out the door.

Rose looked embarrassed. David, however, looked relieved.

As we walked back past the county office, David looked at his shoes. "Nora, they’re closed now. Maybe... maybe we should come back tomorrow?"

I looked at the locked door. "We’ll see. You have to pick the right day for these things, don't you?"

There would never be a "right day" for us again.

David sighed, his shoulders dropping. "Okay. I’ll tell Mrs. Adler we’re pushing it back."