Chapter 5 Reborn

- Dawn's POV-

Darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision, and I try to fight it, to hold on. But it's like trying to grasp water, slipping through my fingers no matter how hard I try.

As I lie here, dying on the floor of the living room, a thousand thoughts race through my mind. My son, my unborn babies. Will they blame me for this cruel outcome of our lives?

Will Travis forgive her and have his own family now? I never hated him. But now, thinking of him choosing her over his son's death and his unborn baby, my heart fills with disgust and hatred. I will never forgive him. Never.

The pain is fading now, replaced by a numbness that spreads through my limbs. It's almost peaceful, in a way. A release from the constant ache of a life spent in the shadows. A release from the painful fate. Freedom to be with my son.

And then, there is nothing.

For a moment, it's like I'm floating in darkness, weightless, alone. I think this is the end, that everything will simply fade away.

But instead, there's a sudden, blinding light, like the sun exploding behind my eyes. I gasp, feeling air rush back into my lungs. My heart pounds, my skin tingling with the shock of life returning.

I open my eyes, disoriented, expecting to see the ceiling or everyone's cold gaze. But instead, I'm in my own bedroom, the familiar scent of lavender filling the air. I sit up quickly, my hand holding something.

"Pregnancy kit?"

I look around, heart racing, trying to make sense of where I am. The calendar on the bedside table catches my eye. My breath hitches. It can't be. The date... it's the day I found out I was pregnant with Asher for the first time.

My mind reels, memories flooding back with sudden, painful clarity. Spring killing my Asher with Nancy, Travis blaming me for everything, and his betrayal everything is still fresh.

But I'm here. Alive. And somehow, impossibly, I'm back in time, before it all went wrong. Before my son was born. Before I told Travis about my pregnancy.

Is this a dream? A worst nightmare? No. How can it be a dream? It's so vivid and painful. My son, my Asher, was pale and cold.

Did I get another chance? Another chance to get my revenge and protect my Asher?

Yes, this time, I will definitely - Definitely protect my son and get revenge on everyone. They must face that unbearable pain of losing someone I felt. They must!!!

The silence of the house settles around me, punctuated only by the ticking of the clock in the hallway. I close my eyes, taking a slow breath, grounding myself in this moment.

I'm back. I'm really back. Ten years stretch ahead of me like a dark, winding road, but I know what waits at the end. Spring.

She killed me. Took everything from me in one swift, cruel move. But not this time. This time, I'll be ready.

I push open the bedroom door and step into the hallway, my steps light and silent on the carpet.

I head to the living room, where the sun is just starting to set, casting long shadows on the walls. I sit on the couch, the memories of my death, so vivid only moments ago, slowly fading into a dull ache. Spring's face floats in my mind-smiling, confident, completely sure of her own power. She's been gone for years, but she hasn't been forgotten. Not by me, and not by Travis.

I remember the last time he mentioned her, a casual comment about a postcard he received. My gut had twisted then, the jealousy and insecurity eating at me, even though she was far away. Now I know better. I know what she's capable of.

I glance at the clock. Travis won't be done with work for another hour. I have time. I get up and go to his office door. I continue down the hallway to the small room we use for storage. Inside, boxes are stacked neatly against the walls, filled with memories of the past. I dig through one until I find what I'm looking for-an old photo album.

I carry it back to the living room and sit down, flipping through the pages. There she is, Spring, smiling in every picture, perfect as always. There's a photo of her graduation, a proud smile on her face, my parents on either side of her. I'm in the background, half-hidden, almost forgotten. Just like I've always been.

I trace a finger over Spring's face, feeling the anger bubble up again. But I force myself to stay calm. Anger is good. It sharpens my focus, keeps me moving forward. But I can't let it control me. I need to be smart. This time I will not be the doormat for my family, Spring or Travis. I will protect us, My Asher and I will leave somewhere after destroying them. I will no longer be the shadow of my sister.

I close the album and sit back, staring at the ceiling. Four years. I have four years to prepare, to build my defenses, to make sure Spring can't touch me or my son when she comes back. I'll gather evidence, make connections, and find allies. I'll dig into Spring's life, find out what she's been doing all this time. And when she finally returns, I'll be ready.

I'll start with Travis. He's the key. If I can get close to him, make him trust me completely, I can use him to protect myself. I know how to play the role of the perfect wife, the loving partner. I've done it before, hiding my pain behind a smile. But this time, I'll do it with purpose but my own way.

I get up, put the photo album back in the box, and return to the living room. The house feels different now, charged with a new energy. My heart is beating fast, but it's not fear I feel. It's anticipation. For the first time, I have a plan, a direction.

When Spring comes back, she'll find a different Dawn waiting for her. Not the scared, desperate woman who would do anything for love, but someone stronger, sharper. Someone who knows how to fight back. Someone who no longer lives as her shadow, her replacement or her backup plan.