Chapter 3Do-Over

“Tim, when you decided to go back, did you think about me and Caleb? Even for a second?”

I asked him, clinging to one last sliver of hope.

Caleb was our son, born in the first year of our marriage. He was premature, and his condition at birth was critical. Tim had the world’s best medical equipment and specialists flown in. He stood vigil outside the ICU for a week straight, without sleep.

Only when our son was out of danger did he finally collapse from exhaustion, sleeping for three days and three nights.

When he woke up, he bought three minor planets and named them after the three of us.

He held our son and placed a soft kiss on my forehead, his eyes overflowing with love.

“My love,” he’d whispered, “thank you for choosing to stay in this world for me. I swear, I, Tim Stan, will never let you down. From now on, our family will be like the stars in the sky, together forever.”

It was because of Caleb that both Willow and I believed he had truly moved on, that he was wholeheartedly devoted to me. It was Caleb who sparked in Willow a longing for marriage and family of her own. After a few more rounds of drama with Damian, she finally accepted his proposal, and the story officially reached its grand finale.

And now…

Tim looked up at me, his eyes a terrifying, inhuman shade of red. He wasn’t surprised the System had told me.

“You don’t have to worry,” he said flatly. “Just like you transmigrated into this book, when I turn back time, it will be like going to a parallel universe. Time in this world will freeze. Once I’ve helped Willow live a long and happy life, I’ll come back. You and Caleb will be fine.”

As he spoke, his gaze drifted back to the photograph, tender and full of longing. He seemed completely oblivious to how utterly insane he sounded.

My voice was hoarse. “You mean, after you go back, save Willow, and grow old with her, you’re just going to come back here and continue living with us?”

Perhaps the raw despair in my voice finally got through to him. He tore his eyes away from his memories and looked at me, confused.

“But I already helped you complete your mission, didn’t I? I gave you a second chance at life. How can you ask for more from me and Willow?”

That single look sent a chill through my bones. I couldn't stop shivering.

His meaning was simple.

I was the one who had stolen the love that rightfully belonged to Willow. I was a thief. And as a thief, I had no right to stop him from returning what he had stolen.

It’s hard to describe the feeling. Before I could even process the grief, another blow landed.

The phone rang.

Our son, Caleb, was missing.