The Day I Didn't Stop Her

On our wedding day, my wife's first love, Hank Scott, threatened to slit his wrists.

She ignored him and went through with the ceremony anyway, until news arrived that he was dead, his blood staining the ground.

From that moment on, Shirley Lowell withdrew into a convent, becoming the cold, distant woman everyone knew.

In the name of atonement, she forced me to copy the Bible a thousand times and kneel in endless prayer, grinding me down until I was crippled.

Bound to a wheelchair, I asked her for a divorce.

She refused, saying we owed Hank a debt and had to atone for it together.

She used my family to threaten me, keeping me by her side and tormenting me for the rest of my life.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on our wedding day.

This time, I chose to push her toward Hank.

I would become the first love in her heart, the one who led her onto the path of devout faith.

Panic clung to me, a ghostly shroud, as I snapped my eyes open, lungs clawing for breath.

Where was I?

Some afterlife courtroom? Did I die?

"Is he done throwing his fit? Doesn't he know what today is? I'm not about to leave my husband to chase after him!"

The crash of the phone hitting the table yanked my gaze in its direction.

There she was, Shirley Lowell, panting in her bridal gown.

My thoughts raced, and a staggering realization hit me like a bolt of lightning.

I was given a second chance at life!

In my previous life, at that very moment, I was gloating over Shirley's rejection of Hank Scott.

However, with clarity returning, I saw the tight fists she made without even realizing it.

'Of course, she'd be worried sick about Hank's safety,' I mused.

Her staying by my side was merely to dodge the accusations of being a heartbreaker, nothing more.

Yet, that facade of loyalty crumbled the instant she laid eyes on Hank's lifeless body.

She had her excuse to unleash her fury on me, blaming me for ripping them apart.

She seemed so innocent, so detached from worldly desires, but behind the scenes, she orchestrated the brutal shattering of my legs.

Confined to a wheelchair for life, I became a shell of myself, a cripple I loathed.

She, on the other hand, emerged with her reputation intact, hailed as the epitome of devotion, mourning her lost love.

I was painted as the villain in their love story, cursed and reviled.

However, who really knew the truth?

Once, Shirley braved a blizzard to woo me, standing under my window with flowers, showering me with kindness and empathy.

I could not stand to disappoint such a wonderful woman, so I chose her with all my heart.

Little did I know that choice would lead to my downfall.

Given a second shot at life, I was determined not to waste it.

This time, I did not explode with jealousy or demand to know why Shirley had gotten a call from Hank. Instead, I gently touched her hand and said, "Shirley, it's someone's life at stake. You should go check on it."

She froze, taken aback by my calmness.

In the previous life, just the mention of Hank would set me off into a rage, demanding she choose between us. However, then, I was the picture of understanding.

She was not naive, though, and shook her head with conviction. "No, it's our wedding day. I can't do something so cruel.

"I've already hurt you enough because of him. How could I cause you more pain?"

I looked down, my hands instinctively caressing my legs that were now strong and healthy. I was not about to repeat past mistakes.

With that thought, I pulled her close. "Silly girl, I trust you. You wouldn't betray me.

"If he's really out there thinking of ending it all, and you don't go, you'll be the one people blame. I can handle a bit of hardship, but I can't stand the thought of you getting dragged through the mud because of me."

The onlookers in the makeup room, who were ready for a spectacle, were then touched by my words. "Mr. Charlton, you're so understanding. Ms. Lowell, you're lucky to have him!"

Seeing that I gave her an out, Shirley was visibly moved. "I'll take care of it and come right back. I won't say more to him than I have to."

I smiled at her. "I'll wait for you. I've waited a long time for this day."

Once she saw I was not upset, she hurried downstairs, ready to drive off to Hank.

When the room finally emptied, I let myself fall into a chair, feeling like all the strength left me.

'Everything's going to be okay. There's still time,' I reassured myself.

In a previous life, her hesitation had cost a life and destroyed another.

In this life, I would not stand in her way of seeing the one she truly loved. All I wanted was a quiet life.

The drama unfolded to that climax, and to stop then would leave everything unresolved.

I stood on stage, eyes fixed on the door, playing the part of the devoted husband to perfection.

I had everyone in the palm of my hand, so much so that her parents could not stand it anymore and urged me to take a break.

However, I never expected Shirley to actually return. I was sure Hank would have kept her by his side.

When she saw me, her discomfort was clear.

Hank, however, was unabashed.

"Anthony, you're not mad, are you? You know I'm sincere about Shirley. I just got carried away today, you can understand that, right?"

His challenge was as bright as daylight.

However, I was not angry. I just looked at Shirley and asked,

"What's this about?"

Shirley fidgeted, touching her nose.

"He said we don't have to go to extremes, just go through the motions of the ceremony. It's all for show, don't mind it.

"I did it for us, so our lives wouldn't be disrupted by him. What do you think?"