To save Hugh, I took the hitliterally. The kidnappers beat me so bad I ended up with a brain hemorrhage. My mind? Stuck at thirteen.

Hugh, all guilt and promises, said, Wenna, I'll protect you forever.

And he did.

He watched over me. When the house caught fire, he threw himself over me, took the burns, didn't flinch.

Then came his oh-so-perfect foster sister.

"Mia's not into... slow people. Maybe you should live next door," he said.

And my son? The one I nearly died bringing into the world?

"Stupid woman! You embarrass me and Dad. You're nothing like Aunt Miashe's smart and pretty. If it weren't for you, she could've been my mom. You should just die!"

To play hero for Mia, my son shoved me into the street. A truck did the rest.

When I opened my eyes, I was back on the day Hugh proposed.

This time? I wasn't here for his pity.

And I sure as hell wasn't marrying him.
Chapter 1

Hugh dropped to one knee, flashed a diamond ring. "Wenna Wade, will you marry me?"
The crowd? Buzzing.
"Look at hershe doesn't even get what a proposal is."
"Hugh's lost it, marrying that kind of burden."
"He's just grateful she saved his life. Anyone would be."
Last time, I couldn't understand the wordsjust felt the hate and clung to Hugh like a frightened kid.
Now? I got it.
They didn't think I deserved him.
And deep down, they didn't think he loved me, either.
I suddenly remembered my last lifeHugh carrying me through the fire, skin burned and peeling, his voice shaking as he whispered, "Wenna, don't be scared."
When I was in labor, screaming my lungs out, he held my hand, eyes red. "Wenna, hang in there. Our baby's waiting for you. I'm waiting for you too!"
Bowie was this tiny, squishy bundle in his arms. Hugh smiled, teaching him, "Say Mommy. This is Mommy."
Life was good.
Then Mia came back.
She floated in with her designer dresses, bright smiles, and a death grip on Hugh's arm. They looked... cozy.
Hugh started coming home late, reeking of her perfume.
He stopped hearing me, like my slow speech was background noise. I'd show him Bowie's drawingshe'd just pat my head like I was a pet.
Bowie got older, colder.
He crushed the cake I baked. "Don't pick me up from school! Everyone says my mom's a retard. You're ruining my life! Only Aunt Mia should be my mom!"
And yeahhe meant it.
One day, he shoved me into the street. "Die! Give Dad back to Aunt Mia!"
The last thing I saw? Hugh's facesad, but kinda... relieved.
"Wenna, I've repaid my debt these fifteen years. Please, let me go. Let me be with Mia."
Guess fools and 'normal' people don't mix.
The memories faded like smoke, but the ache in my chest? Still sharp.
I looked down at Hugh, still on one knee.
"No. I'm not marrying you."
***
Hugh froze, then gave this weak little laugh, all soft and patronizing. "Wenna, sweetheart, don't throw a tantrum, okay? I have to go to the airport soon and pick up someone very important. Be good and say yes, and I'll have Patrick get you your favorite milk candiesa whole box, okay?"

Chapter 2
Yeah. I knew exactly who that "important person" was.
Mia. Fresh off the plane from whatever fancy school abroad.
He talked to me like I was five, like I was throwing a tantrum over nap time.
But then
I caught my reflection in the window.
White dresscustom-made. Hair styled to perfection. Tight waist, long legs, chest all dolled up.
I looked like one of those drama queens in TV romances. The ones who get dream proposals and perfect endings.
I looked like a grown-up.
Like a woman.
Last time around? His laptop screensaver was a shot of Mia.
He'd stare at it like it held the secrets of the universechest heaving.
They said that's how a man looks at a woman.
The way he looked at me? Same way he looked at his niece when she whined for candy.
I gripped the hem of my dress. I was ready to say itthis time, I really didn't want to marry him.
Then his phone rang.
Mia's custom ringtone.
Hugh lit up, instantly pulling it out. His voice went soft, syrupy.
"Mia? You're here? Something came up on my end, but I'll fix it soon. Stay putI'll come get you."
I just stood there, listening to his voice melt for her.
Same as before.
Even on Bowie's birthday, he'd drop everything if Mia calledfreaking out over delayed flights or her luggage.
And Bowie? My kid I nearly died bringing into the world? He'd mimic Hugh's voice to a tee: "Mom, you're so useless. You mess up everything. I wish Aunt Mia were here."
Hugh hung up, didn't even wait for my answer. Just shoved the ring box into my hand and patted my head.