When Old Dreams Return

In my last life, Orion Perrys first love died because of me. Shattered by grief, he feigned a marriage alliance only to systematically destroy my family, driving us into bankruptcy.
He tormented me until I was a hollow shell, diagnosed with severe depression. In my despair, I jumped from the roof of our building.
In my final moments, Orion stood over me, his expression cold, and gently covered my eyes.
Hazel, hed murmured, next life, if you ever run into me and Ava again, make sure you stay far away.
When I opened my eyes, I was back. Seven years in the past, on the school path I walked every day.
In the distance, Orion and Ava were walking toward me.
Ava spotted me first, her face lighting up as she waved.
Hazel! Over here!
The sight of them jolted me out of my trance. A primal fear seized me. I reacted on pure instinct, flinging my heavy bookbag at them like a weapon before turning and running for my life.

1
Hazel Jiang! Class is about to start! Where are you going?
I ignored my classmates shout, pushing against the tide of uniformed students.
The wind, laced with sunlight, felt like it was passing right through my chest, clean and sharp.
It felt so good.
It felt so good to be alive.
The heavy fog that had clouded my mind and body, the suffocating darkness that had tormented me until I could no longer breathe it was gone.
I was seventeen-year-old Hazel Jiang.
Healthy. Alive. Bright.
The Jiang and Perry families were old friends, our ties going back generations. Orion, a year older than me, had always doted on me. From a piece of candy when we were children, to a princess dress when I was a girl, to a sapphire necklace for my sixteenth birthdayhis kindness had been a constant for a third of my life.
Plenty of girls crushed on him, but I was the only one ever by his side. He was like a brother, and at some point, he became the person I quietly, secretly loved.
That all changed at the freshman track meet, the day I fainted and Ava was the one who took me to the nurses office.
From then on, it was no longer just Orion and me. It was the three of us.
They shared the same hobbies, excelled in the same classes. When they were together, they had endless things to talk about.
I slowly became their shadow.

In my past life, a rumor that Ava had been abused by her stepfather spread like wildfire through the school.
The day she jumped, her hair was a mess, her eyes wild as they fixed on me.
Hazel Jiang, shed spat, remember this. Youre the one who killed me!
Then she was gone, a final, decisive leap that gave no one time to grab her, no time to stop her.
She gave me no chance to explain.
When Orion found the note shed left, he went mad.
He grabbed my shoulders, his fingers digging in like talons. A visceral hatred that chilled me to the bone blazed in his bloodshot eyes.
Hazel! Why? Why would you do this?
You were the only one who knew!
I My throat was raw, but I forced the words past the searing pain in my shoulders. I didn't.
It wasn't me.
But no one believed me.
Avas public accusation had already branded me a murderer. Any defense I offered was just a whisper against the roar of a victims final words.
And so, I was subjected to a level of bullying and isolation I had never imagined possible. Everyone looked at me like I was a killer. Every classmates gaze was a knife.
Especially Orions.
Four years later, the Perry family proposed a marriage alliance with mine. He agreed.
It was as if hed forgotten Ava completely. He went back to being the kind, doting Orion I had always known.
I thought he finally believed me.
He ruffled my hair, just like he used to, his eyes soft.
Hazel, hed said, his voice gentle. Lets get married.
The Orion of my memories had always been this warm, this affectionate. I thought he had finally come back to me.
I was wrong. Soon after, my familys corporate secrets found their way into his hands. He used ruthless tactics to crush our business, my parents were driven out of the city, and I was made a prisoner in our home.
The hatred, the cold indifferenceit filled every moment of my existence. The mask was off. His eyes when he looked at me were ice.
The suffering Ava went through, Hazel? You deserve to feel every last bit of it.
Hazel, why dont you just die? If you died, maybe then maybe then I could finally forgive you.
As Orion wished, seven years later, Hazel Jiang jumped from a rooftop, just as desperately as Ava had.

I stood frozen on the street, the school bell echoing in my ears. The feeling of my skull fracturing, of my soul being torn from my body, and Orions cold, final wordsit all began to fade.
Next life, if you ever run into me and Ava again, make sure you stay far away.
I let out a long, shuddering breath.
This time, Orion, I will. Ill stay far, far away from you and Ava.
I turned and ran, not back to school, but toward home.

2
Hazel? Shouldnt you be in class right now?
My mom was sitting in the backyard, sipping coffee. She looked up in surprise as I burst through the door.
Tears welled in my eyes as I threw my arms around her, holding on tight.
In my last life, my parents lifes work was destroyed. They were forced out of the city by the very boy theyd watched grow up. I never even got to see them one last time before I died.
Such a big girl and still clinging to your mother, she teased, her voice gentle. What are you going to do when you get married?
The word married sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. I hugged her tighter.
Im not getting married. Im not going anywhere. Im staying right here, with you and Dad, and Ill take over the family business and be a deadbeat rich kid who lives off you forever.
My mom feigned a sigh, but her smile only widened.
Is that so? Well, I suppose well just have to let our little parasite feast on us for the rest of her life.

It took me all night to pull myself together. The next day, I went back to school.
The driver dropped me off at the gate. As I got out, I caught a glimpse of Orion and Ava, standing at our usual meeting spot down the road, laughing and talking.
They were waiting for me.
Terrified of being seen, I ducked my head, clutched my bag, and hurried inside.
That path to school. The three of us. My eyes on Orion, Orions eyes on Ava.
This unrequited love should have ended long ago. But the younger me had been foolish, secretly happy for every extra moment I got to look at him on that path.

After school, I dragged my feet, but there was no avoiding them. Orion and Ava were waiting by the main gate.
I had no choice but to walk toward them.
Ava didnt mention how Id run from them the day before. She just looped her arm through mine as if nothing had happened.
Hazel! We waited for you at the corner for ages today. Where were you?
I fought the urge to pull away, but I couldnt stop myself. I gently slipped my arm from her grasp.
Avas smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered.
Its my birthday today, Hazel. Youre not going to celebrate with me?
My heart stuttered.
In my past life, it was on her birthday that shed gotten drunk, and with tears in her eyes, had confessed her deepest secrets to me. That was the night she told me about her stepfather.
This time, I couldn't be the one she confided in. I wouldnt.
I kept my head down, avoiding Orions gaze.
I I have something to do at home. I cant make it. But happy birthday.
I didnt wait to see the hurt that I knew would fill her eyes. I turned and walked away quickly.
A set of urgent footsteps followed me.
Hazel.
It was Orion.
My heart leaped into my throat. I lowered my head and walked faster.
He caught up in three long strides, blocking my path. His shadow fell over me.
What are you running from?
I finally looked up at him, at the eighteen-year-old Orion. He wore the familiar school uniform, his features sharp and defined. But the deep, indifferent darkness in his eyes didn't belong to a teenager. It belonged to the Orion from my past life.
A sudden, cold panic seized me. I stumbled back, nearly losing my balance.
But the Orion before me stepped forward, closing the distance, his feet eclipsing my shadow on the pavement.
Hazel, he said, his voice low and unsettling. You seem afraid of me.

3
In the next second, his expression softened. He reached out and ruffled my hair, just like he always used to.
Hazel, whats wrong? Why are you avoiding me and Ava?
Its Avas birthday today. Shell be really upset if you dont come. Lets go celebrate with her, okay?
He was smiling, but I could feel him probing, testing me.
It made sense. My behavior since yesterday had been a complete reversal of my old self. I was avoiding them, and I was no longer fawning over him.
If if this wasnt the eighteen-year-old Orion, he would surely suspect that I wasnt the seventeen-year-old Hazel.
After three years of his particular brand of marriage, any love Id had for him had been tortured out of existence. Now, all I felt was a mixture of hatred and fear.
I I
I tried to force a smile, but he had already turned to our family driver, who was waiting by the curb. Mr. Henderson, its a friends birthday today. Ill take Hazel to the party and make sure she gets home safe.
Mr. Henderson, knowing the close relationship between our families, just smiled and nodded before driving off.
I had no choice but to trail behind them.
Before, when the three of us walked together, I would watch Orion and Ava, their easy chemistry and endless conversations filling my heart with a quiet ache.
Now, I watched them with a detached calm, my mind completely blank. I was already plotting my escape.

The night before I jumped, it was the anniversary of Avas death.
Orion, who was always out, came home for once. He smiled at me, a gentle, soul-crushing smile.
Hazel, remember that time in your senior year when you were cornered in the back alley? I happened to be visiting the school that day. I stood at the end of the alley and watched you for a long time.
The reflection in the window showed my face, instantly drained of all color.
I could never forget that day.
A group of students had cornered me behind the school. They called me a murderer. They took turns slapping me. They tore my books to shreds and scattered the pages all over the ground.
Finally, they made me kneel and repeat, one hundred times, Ava, I was wrong.
I did it, my body numb, because I knew it was the only way to make it stop.
On graduation day, I thought it was finally over. I buried those humiliating memories, sealed away everything related to Ava. I thought I could start again.
But seven years later, Orion told me he was there. He had been there the whole time.
The boy who had held my hand, who had been like a brother to me as I grew up, had stood somewhere nearby, watching impassively as I was humiliated, beaten, and forced to my knees.
He leaned in, his voice a soft whisper in my ear.
Oh, by the way, Hazel. Your mother is sick, but she has no money for treatment. And your father, at his age, has to work on construction sites. He hurt his back, you know. Every day is a struggle for them.
This is all your fault. They could have lived a comfortable life, but now they have to pay for your mistakes.
I saw my own reflection, my eyes growing dim and lifeless with his every word.
I finally understood. As long as I, the sinner, was alive, as long as Orion was in my life, it would never end.
My only escape was through death.

4
On the way, Orion called the manager of his familys private club and had them clear out an exclusive VIP room.
Listening to his calm, authoritative tone, I was suddenly reminded of the man he became after we were married, the man who had taken over his familys empire.
The man he was now was not the boy he should have been.
He he was reborn too?
The thought sent a jolt of panic through me. No matter what, I couldnt let him know I was different. If he was also reliving the past, and if events repeated themselves, I would once again be the only killer in his eyes.
After all I was the only one who knew Avas secret.
In the private room, Ava shyly selected a love song and asked Orion to sing with her. The other students cheered them on. In their eyes, the refined, handsome Orion and the beautiful, resilient Ava were a perfect match, a couple just waiting to happen.
I watched it all calmly, the whole affair feeling tedious and dull.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a woman dressed in a designer suit stood there.
Orion?
It was his mother.
Her presence was powerful, and the noisy room fell silent. Her eyes scanned the room, and when she saw Ava sitting so close to Orion, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Then her gaze found me in the corner, and her face broke into a warm smile.
Hazel, dear. I was wondering why my Orion went to so much trouble to book this room today. It was for you.
I awkwardly stood up. Auntie, actually, its
Its fine, she said, smiling at me, her eyes full of affection. I was supposed to be meeting a client here, but this naughty boy of mine took my room. I was worried it was for some riffraff.
Her eyes flicked pointedly toward Ava. But if its for you, Hazel, any room in this club, no matter how exclusive, is always yours.
The atmosphere in the room turned instantly awkward. Orion looked displeased. Avas face fell for a moment before she forced a smile.
I tried to say something, but Orions mother cut me off.
Oh, Hazel, remember to come over with your parents on the weekend. Ive hired a new chef who makes your favorite dishes.
I The words caught in my throat. I couldnt think of a polite way to refuse. Thank you, Auntie, I mumbled.
She left, satisfied, but I was on edge. Fortunately, the others quickly moved on, and the party became noisy again.
Ava, however, was clearly subdued. After a few drinks, she came and sat next to me, linking her arm with mine.
Hazel, she complained, Orion gave me a custom necklace today. Its too expensive, and I tried to refuse, but he insisted it was just a casual gift.
She looked at me expectantly. Is he always this casual with your birthday gifts?
I paused. With seven more years of life experience, I finally understood what she was really asking. She was testing the waters, trying to see how he treated her versus how he treated me.
I smiled faintly. No.
Really? A flicker of joy, mixed with suspicion, appeared in her eyes. Hazel, you seem a little down today. Is it because Orion only gave me a necklace?
I froze. I suddenly realized that the feelings I thought I had hidden so well in my past life had probably been obvious to her all along.
No, its not that, I said quickly, taking her hand. My words were sincere. Ava, Im happy that Orion is good to you. I hope I hope youll both be very happy together.
Across the noisy room, Orions head snapped in our direction.
Ava was clearly ready for a heart-to-heart, but all I wanted was to get away from both of them. I feigned a sudden stomachache and practically fled from the club.

Free from their presence, a wave of relief washed over me, and my steps felt lighter.
I was waiting for a cab by the side of the road when a figure materialized out of the shadows behind me.
Hazel, Orions voice was low and cold. I thought you werent feeling well.
My whole body went rigid. I stammered, I I felt a little better after I came outside.
He loomed over me, his tall frame oppressive, his eyes dark and searching.
But Hazel, I remember you only started calling her Ava, the upperclassman after she died.

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