Returning to Say No

On the way home for the holidays, my husband, Joshua, and I were in an accident.

When I opened my eyes again, we were back in college, before wed even started dating.

In my last life, we were married for seven years. Our home was a place of quiet respect, but never warmth. He wouldnt even give me a child. It was only later that I found out his heart had always belonged to someone elsehis first love, his old flame.

After being reborn, I decided to set him free.

We silently deleted each other from our contacts, kept our distance, and chose different lives.

Seven years later, he was a top trader on Wall Street. At our college reunion, he and his girlfriend, Isabella, officially announced their engagement.

Seeing me still single, he couldnt resist a smug taunt.

Sienna, he said, a smirk playing on his lips. I know I was the best man you ever had in both lifetimes, but you dont have to stay single forever waiting for me.

I ignored him and reached for my sons hand.

The color drained from Joshuas face. His eyes, suddenly bloodshot, locked onto me.

You said youd love me for a lifetime, he hissed. That youd only ever have children with me.

We met again at the Northwood High reunion, seven years after wed both been given a second chance. Id just come from a marathon session of back-to-back surgeries and was too exhausted to change, so I walked straight into the ballroom in my scrubs.

Joshua was the center of attention, his arm wrapped around Isabellas waist as he soaked in the praise.

Joshua, youre incredible! Just a few years on Wall Street and youre already one of the top rising traders. Youre the pride of Northwood High!

No kidding! I heard the big shots in New York pay just to have dinner with him. The consultation fee alone was in the six figuresthats more than most of us make in a year!

Hey, Joshua, Ive been dabbling in stocks. How about you give an old classmate some inside info? Help a brother out!

Then, a curious voice cut through the noise. So, Joshua, are you and Isabella getting engaged soon?

Joshuas gaze softened as he looked down at her. We are. December 20th.

A fresh wave of congratulations erupted.

An old friend chimed in, Joshua, do you ever talk to Sienna anymore? You two were so intense back in the day. I heard you wrote your first song just for her!

At the mention of my name, I saw Joshuas smile tighten, his eyes darkening for a fraction of a second.

Isabella, however, just laughed it off, a picture of grace.

Oh, you, she said, her voice light and charming. Joshua and I are getting married. You know how it is. High school hobbies dont last, and neither do high school romances. He moved on from Sienna ages ago!

The crowd chuckled, turning their attention back to what a perfect couple they made.

But I knew the truth. He wrote that song for me the night he confessed his love. We were a classic campus romance, love at first sight. Hed looked at me with such sincerity and said, Sienna, look into my eyes. I love you. The eyes dont lie.

And I believed him.

But in our last life, his eyes had lied.

I walked into the ballroom, my expression calm. A classmate with sharp eyes spotted me.

Sienna! You finally made it!

What are you wearing? You couldnt change into something more formal?

Dont tell me you just got off work. Where are you slaving away? There are successful people here, you know. They could hook you up with an easier job!

A few people snickered at my casual attire. I paid them no mind, offering a polite, distant smile.

From the moment I entered, Joshuas eyes were fixed on me.

Long time no see, I said, my voice even.

He seemed taken aback for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, a mocking smile spread across his face. Sienna. After all these years, you havent changed a bit. Still no ambition.

Isabellas gaze was venomous. She deliberately tightened her grip on Joshuas arm, leaning into him as if staking her claim.

Joshua, dont say that! she purred, her tone dripping with false sweetness. She might be having a rough time, but we shouldnt rub it in. Lifes already hard enough for Sienna.

She looked me up and down, her lips curling in a sneer.

But really, Sienna, what is that outfit? Its a choice. Youre not getting any younger. A woman has to take care of herself, or how will you ever get married? What man wants a woman who looks like shes given up?

Do you want me to lend you some makeup?

At her words, a ripple of laughter went through the room.

The contrast was stark. Isabella was draped in designer labels, her makeup so flawless it looked airbrushed, every strand of hair in place. She radiated the effortless confidence of old money.

I, on the other hand, had just stepped out of an operating room after nearly twenty-four hours without sleep. I looked and felt like a ghost, utterly drained. My comfortable sweats were a no-name brand Id grabbed from a random shop. There was no comparison.

No, thank you. Im fine, I replied simply, taking a seat and helping myself to the buffet. After a high-intensity shift, I was starving.

As I was savoring a bite of food, Joshua strode over to my table. He placed a check for one hundred thousand dollars in front of me.

This is for old times sake, he said, his voice laced with condescending pity. To help you out. Do something nice for yourself. Get a more respectable job, buy some new clothes. Learn to love yourself again.

He paused, sighing dramatically. Sienna, the past is the past. You need to stop dwelling on it.

If it werent for you well, it doesnt matter now.

What matters is that you dont let my leaving ruin you. Dont just give up on life, okay?

I looked up at him, genuinely confused. The unfinished sentence sparked my curiosity. What had I supposedly done in our last life that made him abandon me so completely in this one?

In our previous life, we went from high school sweethearts to the altar. He had his musical dreams, and I wanted to be a doctorboth paths required immense time and money. One of us had to sacrifice.

Because I loved him, I gave up my spot in a prestigious medical research program and got a job right out of college, supporting both of our dreams on my single income.

He failed again and again. With every rejection, he grew more bitter, more withdrawn. And like a tireless charger, Id come home exhausted from my own job only to spend my nights patiently soothing his bruised ego.

I thought he understood my love.

Then came the day he wanted a new guitar. When I told him we couldnt afford it, he flew into a rage and smashed his old one against the wall.

Do you know what she said? hed screamed at me, his face contorted. Isabella told me to go with her to the States! If Id listened to her, I wouldnt be living this miserable life!

I regret ever getting together with you.

After that, he stopped playing. His dream died. And his wordsI regret ever getting together with youbecame a mantra that haunted my nights.

I made one last desperate attempt. I held him close and whispered, Joshua, I want to have a baby with you.

He shoved me away, his eyes filled with a disgust Ill never forget.

Are you insane? Look at our finances! How can we afford a child? Besides, Ive told you beforeI hate kids! I dont want to have a child with you!

Those two sentences shattered the last bit of hope in my heart.

That year, on the way home for the holidays, a large truck crossed the median. In that final moment, I felt no fear. Only relief.

Now, reborn, we had both chosen to keep our distance. There was no need to dredge up the past.

I calmly pushed the check back across the table. No, thank you. I dont accept things from strangers.

His brow furrowed. A stranger, Sienna? Whats that supposed to mean?

I can buy my own clothes, I said calmly. And whatever my job is, I find it perfectly respectable. Im not ashamed of it, and I certainly havent given up on life. You should give this money to someone who actually needs it.

He stood there, clutching the check, his lips pressed into a thin, angry line.

Isabella glided to his side. Seeing the check in his hand, a flicker of understandingand ragecrossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a gentle smile.

Sienna, if you dont want our help, thats fine. Well offer you something more concrete.

I recently opened a high-end nail salon on Bellevue Avenue. You can start as an apprentice. The pay isnt great, maybe six thousand a month, but youll learn a real skill. That way, if you ever hit rock bottom, you can at least open your own little shop.

What do you say? Interested? Its got to be more respectable than what youre doing now.

I continued to eat, unperturbed. Thank you for the kind offer, but Im very happy with my current job. I have no plans to change careers.

A voice from a nearby table called out, Sienna, dont be so proud! Joshua and Isabella are being generous, offering you money and a job. Just take it!

Yeah, seriously! Youre already in this state, whats the point of having face? The only reason to come to a reunion when youre doing this badly is to network! Stop putting on an act!

Isabella chimed in with a saccharine-sweet voice. Everyone, please dont say that! Maybe Sienna really loves her job!

She turned back to me. Sienna, were only offering this because of our shared history. Dont let your pride make you miss out on a good opportunity.

I genuinely didnt understand this desperate need to shove money and a job at me.

Really, I dont need it. Thank you.

Isabellas smile remained, but her eyes were filled with contempt.

Joshua crumpled the check in his fist. You cant help someone who wont help themselves, he sneered. Fine. Stay poor for the rest of your life for all I care.

His insult seemed to be a signal. A group of his buddies swarmed my table, bottles in hand.

Sienna, you look like you could use a drink. Come on, one glass, and Ill transfer you a thousand bucks, one of them slurred, his eyes raking over me sleazily. If youre really desperate I can add a little more.

The other classmates just laughed, and no one stepped in to help.

I frowned. This reunion was nothing like Id imagined. If I wasnt waiting for someone, I would have already walked out. Just as I was about to call for security, Joshua, who had been watching from the side, suddenly stubbed out his cigarette and grabbed the mans arm.

His eyes were ice-cold, his voice laced with fury. Back off.

The man yelped in pain, his wrist caught in a vice-like grip.

Isabella rushed over, tugging on Joshuas sleeve. Joshua, what are you doing?

His expression remained frigid. Its called being a decent human being. This is a reunion, not a frat party.

He shoved the man away. The guy didnt dare challenge Joshua, but he shot me a venomous glare.

I couldnt help but glance at Joshua, surprised that he would defend me.

Isabella looked like she was about to grind her teeth to dust, but she forced a smile. I heard the young heir and the CEO of Apex Holdings are having a meeting upstairs! If were lucky, we might get to see the richest man in the city!

Her announcement sent a jolt of excitement through the room.

The CEO of Apex Holdings was a legendhandsome, wealthy, and still in his thirties. He was known to have a five-year-old son, but his wife was a complete mystery, never seen in public.

Does that mean we might see his wife tonight? Im so posting this to TikTok!

This is a major scoop!

A few minutes later, a group of bodyguards escorted a small boy into the ballroom. The crowd went wild.

Look at that entourage! That must be the young heir of Apex! Hes so handsome!

The same guy whod harassed me, now nursing his wrist, turned his frustration on me.

Sienna, if it werent for Isabella, a wage slave like you would never even be in the same room as the prince of this city! If I were you, Id get on my knees and thank her right now! Maybe youd not only get a good job but also land a guy like me who makes six grand a month.

Pathetic.

I ignored him, my gaze fixed on the little boy.

Everyone else swarmed forward, phones out, snapping pictures and recording videos. Even the ever-composed Isabella put on a friendly, almost fawning smile and approached the boy.

Hello there, little one. Is there anything youd like to eat? Auntie can get it for you.

As she spoke, she reached out to pinch his cheek.

But to everyones utter astonishment, the boy, surrounded by his security detail, paid no attention to any of the adults. He walked straight past them, his eyes fixed on me.

His face broke into a wide, sweet smile as he launched himself into my arms.

Mommy, youre finally here!