Chapter 2

Stupefied, Mayra watched as Anderson left the room. He returned with a nurse, who reinserted the needle into the back of Mayra's hand. The pain was a stark reminder of her rebirth. God had given her another shot at life. Transported back to 2007, she found herself reliving her high school freshman year. Once the nurse left the ward, Anderson settled down wearily beside Mayra's bed. He cradled her face tenderly, wiping away her tears. The luxurious watch on his wrist caught her eye. He said to her, "Mayra, you're just a high school freshman. You should focus on your studies instead of spending all your time on me. Got it?" "I…" Mayra struggled for a response. She recalled that Anderson and Isabel had gotten engaged during that same period in her previous life. Upon learning the news, Mayra tried to cut her wrist out of despair, forcing Isabel to break off the engagement. Indeed, Mayra was capable of pulling off such a stunt. Anderson had been discovered by her parents in the wild, covered in blood and close to death. They rushed him to the hospital and saved his life. Not long after Anderson started living with the Sadlers, Mayra lost her parents to a car accident at the tender age of five years old and was sent to the orphanage. In her mind, she had been practically raised by Anderson. Due to her unhealthy dependency on Anderson, she couldn't accept him dating other women. She admitted that she was selfish. From a young age, she formed an obsession with Anderson and fantasized about marrying him. However, in her present life, Mayra realized that any affection she once held for Anderson had disappeared. In her past life, her interference directly led to Anderson and Isabel's separation for a good ten years. Isabel would have married Anderson earlier if it weren't for Mayra's selfishness. Driven by jealousy, Mayra resorted to drugging Isabel and inducing her miscarriage. Unbeknownst to Anderson, Mayra too had once carried his child. But she had learned her lesson from the fearful experience. Anderson had never romantically loved her. Sitting by the bed, she gripped his shirt, tears in her eyes. "Andy, I was wrong. I will never say anything about loving you or wanting to be with you. I will not act foolishly, regardless of whom you decide to date or marry. I promise this will be the last time I behave this way." She lowered her gaze. Her smooth skin looked pallid, perhaps from her poor health. After keeping her company for a while and making sure she was alright, he left upon receiving a phone call. Anderson took the elevator to the lobby and made his way to the underground parking garage. Seated in the front passenger seat of a Maybach was a woman with subtle makeup, clad in an evening dress and a white fur shawl. Despite her unremarkable looks, she excluded an elegance, which hinted at her elevated social stature. "How's Mayra doing?" Anderson rolled down the car window and lit a cigarette. He replied, "She's fine. She just needs some time to recuperate." The woman in the car was Isabel Fisher, the daughter of the owner of Fisher Corporation. She was also Anderson's prospective fiancée and childhood friend. Isabel felt that Mayra had feelings for Anderson. Resting a hand on the window frame, Anderson flicked away the cigarette stub. "Mayra's young and naive." In his eyes, a 16-year-old girl could not possibly comprehend love. Besides, he had agreed to accommodate her out of pity and gratitude toward the Sadlers for saving his life. Ultimately, Mayra paled in comparison to Isabel. "Don't dwell on it. I'll send you home," he said to Isabel. Isabel cast a disgruntled look at him. "What about our wedding? Anderson, now that you're back, you know I'm eagerly awaiting those three words from you. "There are rumors about our engagement, but only we know those are unfounded. Still, I hope it comes true. I've waited a decade for you. Remember when you promised to make me Mrs. Barlow, the happiest woman alive?" She reached out to caress his face and met his deep eyes. Then, she murmured, "Anderson, Mayra's presence has never bothered me. I don't mind her or her feelings for you. When we marry, I'll regard her as my little sister and care for her alongside you. I'd even welcome her into our home!" Then, she reminded him, "It's been 13 years, Anderson. I'm tired of waiting." The spark faded from his eyes upon hearing her words. He merely replied, "I understand." Mayra woke up the next day fever-free. She was done with the IV drip infusion and completed the paperwork to be discharged from the hospital. However, she felt a little lightheaded on her way home. Mayra resided in an old, rundown, building that had yet to be demolished by the authorities. The environment was squalid and neglected, inhabited by people from deprived backgrounds. Even law enforcement had given up on patrolling the area. She only endured the living conditions due to the low rent. Mayra was acutely aware that she was a burden to Anderson. He wouldn't have had to tread carefully if she didn't exist, and the unfortunate events in the past life wouldn't have unfolded. Anyway, Mayra decided to leave the hospital on her own. She texted Anderson about it, but she was unsure if he read the text. Knowing Anderson, he would check his phone and never miss her texts even if he was busy. Anderson hailed from a complicated family. As the eldest son of the Barlows, he bore the weight of succession in the esteemed Barlow Group of Belchester. Mayra had no idea when Anderson reunited with his family. He never told her about it, instead choosing to keep her hidden away in the old and dingy apartment. However, she understood it was his way of protecting her. No one knew of her existence, save for a select few. She stood no chance if she was caught in between the crossfire of wealthy families. If someone discovered her existence, they would use her as leverage over Anderson. Anderson rarely visited her at the apartment as he was busy with work. Once home, she went to her bedroom and took a nap, but it was far from a restful sleep as she had nightmares of her past life. In her dreams, she was in the dark basement, chained up like an animal, and serving as Lucian Rowe's plaything. That memory alone traumatized her, and she vowed not to defy Anderson again in her present life. Had she not inflicted harm on Isabel, Anderson wouldn't have sent her to Lucian, where she would have died from his torture. In her present life, she wouldn't have any hopes for Anderson. Once she reached adulthood and achieved independence, she would leave him to start a new life of her own.