Another chance to love.

Joint forces.

When I woke up, I remembered this from my past life, I was declared missing. I have to change my fate and make this chance worth it.

I recall seeing a knife on the floor of the car. I struggled until I fell to the floor and grabbed the knife. I struggled with the knife and rope until I was able to cut it from behind, then from my ankle.

I grabbed the car key and ran away. I recall my abductor chasing me with his car after I escaped, and I was hit by an oncoming vehicle. I sustained severe injuries, including a fractured rib.

I had to change my fate, so I grabbed the keys and fled. I saw another truck pursuing me from where I had fled. I dashed into the bush and made my way to the road that runs alongside my current path. My kidnapper ran after me. I almost got hit by a car while taking another route. I instantly lost consciousness as its driver got out and grabbed me.

"What happened to you, my sweet girl?" My father asked as he entered my VIP room. I was relieved that I would not be missing for weeks. I am doing everything in my power to change my fate. We were unable to determine who was responsible for the k********g at the time or before.

After a few days in the hospital, I was discharged and sent home.

“Don't you think you are being greedy” Oh, it is my stepmother; what did I do this time? "You should be thinking about your own family instead of searching for an inheritance now that you have your own.”

This moment from my previous life also came to mind. I started to apologize for something I was not sure I did, but I will not do it this time because I did not hurt anyone.

I shot back at her right away. "I hate seeing you like this, getting all greedy and you know possessive," I said to her as I walked out of the room.

I always wanted to make my stepmother happy, so I would apologize, skip meals, work hard, and even sacrifice my happiness for her approval. But none were sufficient to counteract her hatred for me.

"You requested to meet with me, Otis." "Yeah, I was wondering why you ended our marriage." Obviously, nobody knows why I ended it. I did not want to discuss it, but he needed to know I was aware of his games.

"How is Vera doing? How much more money were you going to take from me?" He looked at me with surprise. Wondering how I knew about Vera or the money he had been collecting from me and giving to Vera.

"H,hhh- how did you know, sorry, what do you mean by this, who is Vera?" he stutters, denying it.

"Look Zara! I am not sure what you mean by this. "Why do you want to marry me when you know you were just toiling with me? Did you think about how I would feel about this? You are aware of my feelings for you.

"It was all out of pity, Zara; I pitied you. You worked so hard to win your parents' favor, and you were content with whatever was given to you, even if it was not worth it or you did not want it.

"Who gives you the right to pity me, Otis? Do you have any idea how hard I work in my life?" I said through tears.

"Zara, I am not sure how you found out about me, Vera, and whatever. After everything we have been through, you know how important this marriage is to my family. But I am sorry; I will make up for any hurt you feel; just do not do this." I grabbed my bag and left him apologizing to me.

How could I let go when I saw my entire life flash before my eyes? I thought I loved him, I just realized that I saw myself in him, I would do anything, smiling even when it hurts. Simply to please people.

I drove off to meet Ryan at the cafe where he was waiting for me. We shared coffee and talked about our fictitious marriage.

“Don't worry, I won't get on your nerves, we will just keep our private spaces and the finances will be split in two respectively”.

“Why would you even choose to do this with me, Zara”. “ I can't say you don't look bad” he spit out his coffee with embarrassment written all over his face.

“Hey Ryan”, it's Claire, what has she come to do here. “ Hey babe, how about we go somewhere private” Ryan said as he tried to get her mad. My face turned ashen at the sound of ‘private’, what could he be plotting, he can't seriously be trying to do what I am thinking. “Let's do that babe” I responded as Ryan took my hands and we left Claire standing at her own dismay.

Our phones kept ringing as we walked into Ryan private suite. It was Otis, Claire and my stepmom. They sure cannot believe what's happening before their eyes. I thought as I walked in the door.

“You have got the nerves, Zara. You have to be confident enough or you would get eaten by those who you are competing against and those you do business with”. Ryan whispers in my ear as he takes steps towards me till I reach the wall.

Standing so close to me gave me chills and courage as I took a step forward and he took one back. I felt my strength building up to fight this battle. I knew I was in this with the best person for the job.

Mrs. Jonathan kept calling me over and over again. She sent messages and cursed at me for wanting to ruin her son's life. She didn't think of how mine would be with her plot's to make me feel miserable like I was in my past life.

I continued to get threats from her but I wouldn't be surprised, I just crashed her plans.

I got home and saw a meal covered. No, I can't just eat anything and anyhow.

I started to make my own meals, monitoring all that concerned me like a hawk. At least I have to be alive until I leave this house.

“Claire you have to stay calm, I'm sure nothing is going on” “What do you mean by that, you have got to be kidding me right now, a hot young blood man and a woman in a hotel room and you say nothing is happening.

I chunked my drink with speed cause I needed to run away from my reality. After a bottle of good wine, Zara becomes drunk.

“Zara, you should stop here tonight, you are drunk” “ no I'm not, I still want more drinks” Zara says as she tries to stand up and trips. Ryan catches her and feels how warm and lonely she is at the same time. He takes her to his bed and let's her down to sleep while he watched her closely.