The storm lasted all night.
Sarah didn't sleep.
She sat on the edge of her bed, eyes fixed on her phone.
The message glowed on the screen like a curse.
Be careful what you search for, Sarah. Some pasts aren't meant to be rewritten.
Her pulse still hadn't slowed since reading it.
Every creak in the dorm made her flinch.
Every shadow outside felt like someone watching.
It had to be him.
Alexander Reed.
But how did he know what she'd searched? How did he even have her number?
Her logical mind screamed it was impossible but after dying once and waking up ten years in the past, logic no longer comforted her.
By morning, Sarah forced herself to appear normal.
She applied her lipstick, tied her hair, and slipped into her white blouse and pleated skirt. From the mirror, a calm, beautiful face stared back a perfect disguise for the storm beneath.
When she stepped into the courtyard, laughter greeted her.
Nina waved. "Sarah! Finally, I've been looking everywhere for you!"
Her "best friend."
The woman who, in her past life, had destroyed her.
Sarah smiled faintly. "Sorry, I was studying late."
"Studying?" Nina laughed. "Since when do you study before breakfast? You look pale. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Sarah lied, adjusting her bag strap. "Just tired."
As they walked toward the cafeteria, a familiar voice called out behind them.
"Sarah!"
Her body stiffened.
Daniel.
Her boyfriend.
Her first love.
Her future betrayer.
He jogged up to them, his boyish grin as warm and disarming as ever.
The same smile that had once made her believe in forever.
"Hey, babe," he said, reaching for her hand. "Did you forget we had breakfast plans?"
His touch made her stomach twist. In her old life, that hand had held her while whispering promises. Then, years later, it had held Nina's instead.
She gently pulled away. "Sorry, I forgot. I didn't sleep much."
Nina glanced between them. "I'll grab a seat. You two talk." She winked and left.
Daniel's eyes softened. "You've been distant lately."
Sarah forced a laugh. "You're imagining things."
"Am I?" he asked quietly, stepping closer. "You barely answer my texts. You don't even smile like you used to. Did I do something wrong?"
You did everything wrong, she wanted to scream.
You lied. You betrayed me. You killed me.
But that was another life and he didn't remember.
"Daniel…" she whispered, her voice trembling for reasons she couldn't explain. "I'm just... figuring things out."
He sighed, cupping her cheek. "I don't know what's happening, Sarah, but whatever it is we can fix it. I love you."
Her breath caught.
Those same words had once meant everything.
Now they felt like poison wrapped in honey.
She stepped back, breaking the contact. "I know," she said softly. "Just give me time."
Before he could speak again, she turned and walked away, her pulse racing.
The day dragged on like a haunting rhythm.
Every corridor whispered secrets. Every time she blinked, she felt eyes on her.
By evening, Sarah decided she'd had enough. She needed answers.
Alexander Reed might be dangerous.
But danger, she'd learned, was easier to face than the unknown.
The university library was nearly empty when she arrived. The scent of old paper and silence wrapped around her like a spell.
And there he was.
At a corner table, back to the window, typing something on his laptop.
His posture was composed. His expression unreadable.
Sarah hesitated before approaching. "Professor Reed."
He didn't look surprised. "Miss Morgan."
"Do you make a habit of messaging your students anonymously?"
That earned his attention. His grey eyes flicked to her, sharp and cold. "So you got my message."
Her pulse jumped. "You admit it, then."
He closed his laptop slowly, leaning back in his chair. "You shouldn't dig into things you don't understand."
"I understand enough," she shot back. "You're hiding something. Who are you, really?"
He tilted his head. "And who are you, Sarah?"
Her breath faltered.
He stood up, moving closer too close. His scent was clean, sharp, expensive. His presence swallowed the space between them.
"You look at me," he said softly, "like you've seen me before. Like you remember something you shouldn't."
She swallowed hard. "That's ridiculous."
"Is it?" His voice dropped lower. "Because when I saw you that day, I remembered something too."
Her heart pounded. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know yet," he murmured. "But it feels… familiar. Wrongly familiar."
His hand brushed hers just for a moment but the contact sent a jolt through her like electricity.
Memories flashed behind her eyes car lights, the crash, his voice echoing in the dark.
Watch where you're going.
Sarah gasped and stumbled back.
He caught her wrist before she fell, his grip firm, eyes burning into hers. "You felt it too," he whispered.
For one terrifying heartbeat, she couldn't speak.
Then she yanked her hand free. "Stay away from me."
"Sarah"
"Whatever game you're playing," she said, her voice shaking, "I'm not your pawn."
She turned and stormed toward the exit, her breath ragged.
But just as she reached the door, his voice stopped her again.
"I'm not your enemy," he said quietly. "But if you keep walking blind into the past… you'll make one."
The words struck her like thunder.
She didn't look back.
She couldn't.
Outside, the cold night wrapped around her like a warning.
And in the distance, from a window on the top floor, Alexander watched her leave expression unreadable, but his eyes dark with something dangerously close to recognition.
Later that night, her phone buzzed again.
Daniel:I miss you. Can we talk tomorrow? I want to make things right.
Sarah stared at the screen, torn between the man who once loved and destroyed her… and the stranger who seemed to know her darkest truth.
She typed a reply then deleted it.
Instead, she whispered to herself,
"This time, I'll choose differently."
But even she didn't know which man fate would bind her to