A Flight to Freedom

On our fifth wedding anniversary, Jacob Carter once again abandons me for his so-called first love, Wendy Miller.

"Wendy's raising a child on her own. It's not easy for her. Can't you be a little more understanding? You're also a woman, aren't you?" Jacob said.

In my previous life, that argument turned into a nightmare. He locked me in the house, and when a fire broke out, I was burned to death.

After being reborn, I don't just give them my blessing. I pack my bags, walk out on my own terms, and apply to study architecture overseas.

And now? Jacob's the one falling apart—crying and begging me not to go.

Jacob Carter left me again—this time to rush over to Wendy Miller's place. I grabbed the sleeve of his jacket as he headed for the door.

"Can't you stay? It's our fifth wedding anniversary."

"Alicia, come on. Try to be reasonable. Wendy's on her own with Oliver, and he's running a high fever. She needs help." He pulled his arm free, feeling irritated.

I fumed. Oliver Ford always managed to fall sick at just the right moments. "He's not even your son. Why is it always you she calls? Doesn't she have anyone else?

"If you walk out that door tonight, Jacob, we're getting a divorce tomorrow."

In our town, "divorce" wasn't a word we could throw around lightly. People would have gossiped for years. But I wasn't afraid.

Jacob flared up. "Do whatever you want! Just don't try to blackmail me with this crap. A woman with zero empathy—who the hell would want you after a divorce?"

I snapped. I flipped the dinner table over as he reached for the doorknob. The candlelit anniversary dinner I had so carefully prepared crashed to the floor in a mess.

Jacob froze. "Are you crazy? How did I end up marrying a shrew like you?"

I marched right past him and yelled, "Yeah, I am crazy! What kind of married man keeps running off to another woman's house every time she snaps her fingers?"

I stormed across the lawn straight to Wendy's front door and banged on it furiously. "Wendy! If you've got the guts to steal someone's husband, you better have the guts to come out and face me!"

Our neighbors started peeking out to watch the drama unfold.

Jacob's face turned bright red in an instant.

Wendy opened the door slowly and timidly with her head down. "Alicia… please don't misunderstand. Oliver's burning up and I… I can't carry him by myself. Jacob's the only one I could turn to."

I yanked her out onto the stoop by the wrist. "Oh really? What amazing timing your son has. Last month, it happened when Jacob finally had a day off and planned to take me to the movies.

"Last week, it was my birthday. And today, our wedding anniversary! Is your kid allergic to me spending any alone time with Jacob or what?

"Why don't you just have Jacob move