Rebecca stirred.
"Mhm..." She murmured. "This bed is unusually soft."
Slowly, her eyes fluttered open as she tried to sit up. Immediately she sat up, her gaze landed on two kids—a boy and a girl. They seemed to be around the ages of four.
They stared at her, and she stared back at them with raised brows.
"This..."
"Mommy!"
The two kids screamed simultaneously.
Rebecca's eyes widened. "Mommy?" She frowned. "Who are you calling that?"
Her eyes darted around, and her brows knitted.
Nothing felt familiar. Not the walls. Not the air. Not even the people.
She chuckled awkwardly. "Little ones, where are we?"
The two kids stared at each other for a second before they turned to her, having the same expressions on their faces.
The way they looked at her… it wasn't just confusion.
It was the kind of hurt that shouldn't exist in a child that young.
"Come on, where are we?" Rebecca pressed for an answer.
"Mo—"
"Rebecca Parker, what tricks are you playing now?"
The three's attention was drawn to the guest who was by the door.
"Daddy!" The kids exclaimed as they left the bed, rushing towards the man.
Warmth flooded in his eyes as he picked the two kids, one in each hand.
Slowly, he walked into the room and that was when Rebecca saw him clearly.
Her eyes widened, recognition flooding through her.
"Anderson?"
Why was he here?
The last she remembered, he was abroad.
"Rebecca, if you truly want a divorce, then I'll grant you that." He paused, his voice dropping. "But don't you dare attempt suicide in front of the kids."
Rebecca was speechless.
"Divorce? Suicide?" Her gaze strayed to the two kids who had neutral expressions on their faces. It seemed like they were used to it, further deepening her confusion.
"Anderson, what the hell is going on?" She demanded.
His brows furrowed. "What do you mean by that? Didn't you try to kill yourself just so you could go be with Carl? Why do you look so confused?"
"Since you really wish to be with him..." His voice cracked as he turned his back. "...then, I'll grant you your wish."
Then—
He walked out with the two kids having disappointed looks.
Rebecca's expression changed as she exited the bed. "Hey! Wait for me!" She screamed as she ran after them.
When she stepped into the hallway, she froze in her steps.
"This... this doesn't look like my house." She muttered, her eyes darting around.
Finally, her gaze fell on a wedding portrait. She blinked, rubbing her eyes before slowly moving towards it.
She touched it softly. It was real.
Her breath hitched. She opened her mouth to speak, but she was unable to utter a single word.
"Madam, you're awake."
She heard a voice and she turned towards the sound. Her gaze landed on an unfamiliar middle-aged lady.
"And you are?"
"Cassie, ma'am."
"Cassie," Rebecca murmured, tilting her head to the source.
Biting her lips, she took a deep breath. "Cassie... uhm, what year is this?"
Cassie's brows shot up. What tricks was she up to again? She thought to herself, but she still replied respectfully. "Year 2026."
"2026." She repeated with laughter. "That's not funny."
But there was no laughter.
Her smile slowly faded. "You're joking. "
"It's the year 2026, Ma'am."
Shock coursed through her body as she took a step back in disbelief.
"Impossible." She shook her head. "That's impossible."
"And Anderson? Who is he to me?"
"He is your husband, ma'am. And you've been married for six years now."
Her vision blurred. The floor tilted beneath her feet.
The last thing she saw… was her own face smiling back at her in that wedding portrait.
"Madam!" Cassie rushed over to her, frantically shaking her. "Madam."
Her screams attracted Anderson who ran out from the kids' room.
"What's wrong?" His eyes went wide when he saw Rebecca on the floor.
"I only answered a few questions from Madam... and she fainted." Cassie replied, her lips trembling.
Anderson's eyes darkened as he picked her into his arms.
His gaze trailed down to her face and his brows creased. "Becca, what games are you trying to play now?" He murmured.
***********
When Rebecca came to, the sun was already setting.
Letting out a soft groan, she tossed for a second before she sat up with a start.
Her gaze directly fell on Anderson who was seated on the sofa just opposite her bed. He seemed to be reading some documents.
One leg was placed over the other, and the glasses on his face only seemed to enhance his handsomeness.
It is just as they said. A man looked much better when he was serious.
She blinked. "I never expected that he'd actually look this good." She commented, admiring his looks.
Perhaps, due to her intense stare, Anderson realized that she had regained consciousness.
He raised his head from the document and directly met her gaze.
Rebecca smiled at him.
Anderson narrowed his eyes. 'That is wrong. She should feel repulsed and ignore me. Her actions are different.'
"Rebecca Pa—"
"Call me Becca." She purses her lips. "You used to."
Anderson was taken aback. He tilted his head as he rose to his feet.
Rebecca's gaze remained on him. 'Wow!' She exclaimed internally. 'I didn't expect that he'd be this tall.'
His presence in the room swallowed her space, but Rebecca didn't mind. Instead, she crawled to the end of the bed, and took his hands.
"What are you doing?" He demanded, trying to pry his hands from her. But her grip was surprisingly strong.
"Anderson, I don't understand what's happening? But..." she paused, trying to find the right words. "...I guess it's for the best, yeah?"
He didn't reply. But doubt was written all over his face, and he didn't try to hide it. Obviously, Rebecca could see it.
"If I tell you that I don't recall what happened during these past eight years... would you believe me?" Hesitation filled her voice as she asked him.
Anderson was silent for a while as he studied her. The Rebecca he knew would never hold his hands this way, nor would she ask him to call her Becca when she was clearly the one who banned him from addressing her that way.
There was something fishy in this matter.
He finally broke out of her grasp.
Seeing her empty hands, Rebecca met his gaze.
"I don't care what games you're playing. You can hurt me, but don't you dare hurt the kids." His voice was chilly which unconsciously caused goosebumps to rise on her body.
"The kids…" her voice dropped. "…what are their names?" Her head was lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.
Anderson was speechless.
Was she telling the truth?
Should he believe her words?
Or is this also one of her games?