Chapter 1The Rebirth of Nora

At 29, my seven-year marriage with Caleb Sterling finally shattered.

On the way to divorce, I cried and cursed him: "I've been with you since I was 17, and now you cheat?! Caleb, are you cheap?"

He sneered: "Aren't you cheap? Sleeping with a man at seventeen."

I trembled all over, next second, a big truck rushed straight at us!

When I woke up again, I found myself back in the rental apartment I lived in at 17.

That rental apartment I dropped out of school to live in with Caleb.

* * *

Dust floated in the sunlight.

Surroundings cramped and narrow, with a unique moldy smell.

The full-size bed was covered with a teddy bear sheet bought from the wholesale market, washed white.

I froze for a while, touching my face in the mirror.

I actually went back to 17.

Strange, obviously didn't feel bitter before.

Looking back now, curious how I persisted those years.

Caleb lost both parents since childhood, grew up with grandma. After grandma left, he grew up roaring like wild grass alone.

But he could fight, bold, soon became the famous bad boy in our district.

My parents are both university professors. Although family not very rich, but considered well-off.

Parents planned a stable and proper life for me long ago. Logically, Caleb and I shouldn't have any intersection.

Until once I went home, passed by him fighting with a group of hooligans.

I still remember the boy lying in the snow frowning eyes closed panting heavily, only wearing a black hoodie, blood spots under body.

I should have left immediately pretending not seeing, but seeing his school uniform pants realizing we were schoolmates, I softened. Called 911, hesitated a moment, squatted beside him, took off my white down jacket covering him.

"Hey... are you okay?"

Fair-skinned boy lifted eyelids looked at me.

"You not afraid?"

I whispered: "I am also from High School No. 3, we are schoolmates."

Paused, I gathered courage: "Fighting is wrong, don't fight anymore."

He pulled corner of mouth, sneered, then moved fingers.

I thought he would throw my clothes away, didn't expect he closed eyes soon, didn't move or speak again.

That day I squatted like this helping him block snow, until ambulance came, and paid $280 ambulance fee for him.

This matter passed quickly. Just when I almost forgot that day, Caleb came to class looking for me.

Amidst exclamations, he ignored all teachers and classmates, strode to me, put $300 on my desk, raised eyebrow:

"Money from that day, return you."

"Also, thanks."

After he left, good friends reminded me one after another:

"How do you know Caleb? He mixes with society, heard watches scene in night club, my brother said he chopped people, be careful!"

Also girls excitedly leaned over: "You know Caleb? He so handsome, can you introduce us?!"

I was confused until school over. On way home suddenly stopped by a roaring motorcycle.

I was startled.

Black helmet taken off by a pair of slender hands, revealing boy's beautiful phoenix eyes. Caleb showed me a cynical smile:

"Hey, good student, get on."

"Take you to play."

Behind him followed a group of brothers, showing meaningful smiles one after another.

"Brother Caleb, this one too good, boring."

"Yeah, vocational school flower is exciting, that small leather skirt, small butt twisting!"

I was scared bad, dared not speak, lowered head quickly bypassed him trotting away.

Behind came group laughter.

...

At that time, I really annoyed Caleb, felt he was a hooligan, not same way with me.

But he kept coming to find me endlessly, every day after school followed me sending me home.

Until once I on duty went back late, met a drunk man harassing me in alley, Caleb suddenly came out smashed a fist on that man's face, coldly said:

"Roll."

I soul not settled, he took off jacket on body wrapped me:

"Don't fear, I'm here."

That night he sent me home all way, until I went upstairs looked back.

Under street lamp, Caleb stood there looking at me all along.