SPLASH! Water sprayed everywhere as shocked gasps erupted from the crowd.
“What the hell is Lance doing? That’s his newlywed wife!”
“I heard Anthea accidentally dropped the necklace he gave his sister, so he’s making her find it.”
“I always thought people were exaggerating when they said he spoils his stepsister like crazy. Guess they weren’t kidding.”
Anthea’s body plunged beneath the surface, the icy water wrapping around her like invisible hands, dragging her down into the cold depths.
It was autumn, and she was wearing only a thin formal dress. Her entire body trembled from the icy water as she struggled to climb out, but the bodyguard pushed her back down.
“N–No–don’t-”
Anthea fought desperately, but her pleas for help were swallowed by the water.
“Mrs. Rhodes,” the bodyguard said coldly, “Mr. Rhodes says you can only come out once you find the necklace.”
Through blurry vision, Anthea watched Lance carrying Hedy away. The burn in her chest spread.
She had no choice but to sink down and search, again and again.
After two full hours, she finally found the necklace.
When she dragged herself out of the water, her skin had turned blue–purple from the cold, and the hand clutching the necklace wouldn’t stop shaking.
She collapsed at the poolside, gasping for breath like a fish dying on land.
The guests had all left. The house was empty. Clutching the necklace, she staggered out of the mansion.
Halfway out, she suddenly realized she’d forgotten her phone.
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Back to the Past: This Time, I Choose to Let Go
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She had to turn back up the slope, but after just a few steps, she saw flames shooting into the sky in
the distance.
Her brain buzzed with panic–how could she have forgotten?
In her previous life, the Rhodes mansion had caught fire at exactly this time.
Fred had drunk too much and fallen asleep alone in his study. He nearly burned to death. Though eventually rescued, the burns left him crippled and in pain for the rest of his life.
Snapping out of her shock, Anthea grabbed her phone and dialed 911. Then, without hesitation, she sprinted toward the fire.
Fierce flames leaped everywhere, searing painful blisters onto her exposed skin. Fire licked at her bare legs, leaving angry red marks.
Her vision blurred with the pain, but she couldn’t worry about that now as she headed straight for Fred’s study.
Sure enough, when she pushed open the door, she found Fred unconscious inside.
“Dad!” she shouted, over and over, trying to wake him. When he didn’t respond, she quickly began dragging him out.
Just as they were about to exit, a burning beam collapsed.
She shoved Fred to safety, and then everything went black.
With a loud BANG, her back exploded with searing pain.
When Anthea woke again, she was in a hospital bed.
The nurse was gently applying ointment to her back. When she saw Anthea awake, she let out a relieved gasp.
“Thank God, you’re awake! Your back’s in rough shape. Might permanent scar, honestly.”
But Anthea wasn’t concerned about her own injuries. “Where’s Fred Rhodes?” she rasped.
Once she had his room number, she immediately got out of bed and rushed out.
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Back to the Past: This Time, I Choose to Let Go
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But when she reached his doorway, she discovered a scene of perfect harmony inside.
Hosea was holding Hedy’s hand, her face beaming with pride.
“Thank God for our sweet Hedy! Without her, who knows how badly your father might have been hurt. He’s not young anymore he can’t handle that kind of trauma.”
Hedy smiled shyly, “Mommy, I just did what anyone would do.”
Lance stood nearby, grateful but concerned. “Hedy, you should have called me! How could you rush into a fire by yourself? It was so dangerous–what if something had happened to you?”
“I didn’t have time to think,” Hedy replied with a playful whine. “All I could focus on was making sure Dad was okay. But look–we’re both fine now, aren’t we”
As Hedy’s voice took on that flirtatious, childish tone, everyone in the room couldn’t help but smile.
Even Fred, who’d been cold and stiff toward Hedy ever since he found out about her and Lance had
softened.
The way he looked at her–less disapproval, more… gratitude.
Anthea stood in the doorway, her heart trembling slightly.
She didn’t understand why Hedy was taking credit for saving Fred, claiming it was her who had
rescued him.
But maybe this was actually the best outcome.
If Fred changed his view of Hedy, perhaps he might eventually accept her relationship with Lance.
So Anthea didn’t expose Hedy’s lie, she simply walked away in silence.
For the next several days, Anthea lay in her hospital room. No one came to visit and she didn’t step
outside.
Until that day, Lance finally remembered he had a wife and called her–the first time he’d initiated contact since their wedding.
Anthea was facing the mirror, applying medication to her back. The pain made her hands tremble.
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Back to the Past: This Time, I Choose to Let Go
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Chapter 4
The nurse had told her the scars would be permanent, never fading away.
She struggled to swipe the answer button and immediately heard Lance’s voice, cold as ice,
“Where the hell are you? Don’t you know the mansion caught fire and Dad’s in the hospital? As his daughter in law, you can’t even bother to visit him once? You’re seriously still mad about me punishing you the other day?!”
Anthea gripped the phone, her fingers shaking slightly.
“I’m not… I’ve just been-”
Before she could finish, Hedy’s voice came through the phone.
“Lance, don’t make her come. I’m here with Dad–that’s enough.”
Hedy’s voice was sweet but carried a subtle mockery. ““She probably needs to blow off some steam anyway. Just let her have her fun elsewhere.”
Lance’s breathing quickened, seemingly angered by Hedy’s words.
Without waiting for Anthea to speak again, he hung up.
Anthea stared at her screen for a few seconds, then let out a bitter laugh.
She was already used to being ignored like this, but each time, it still ached deep inside.
A week later, Anthea was finally discharged from the hospital.
Fred’s injuries had been much lighter than hers–just some smoke inhalation–so he’d left the hospital much earlier.
But instead of going home, Anthea went straight to find Fred.
She knelt before him, her voice filled with pleading.
“Dad… please. Let Lance be with Hedy. Let them be together.”
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Back to the Past: This Ti
