My wife and I were reborn
"We're a group of guys, bringing a girl along might be inconvenient."This time, I didn't want to have anything to do with Evelina, so I planned to draw a clear line and stay away from her.But the rest of the guys, who had never had a girlfriend, were strongly opposed."Why not? Evelina said she'd bring other girls along. We haven't dated anyone all through high school. If we meet someone suitable on this trip, wouldn't that solve a big problem for the rest of our lives?""When you get to college, there will be plenty of chances to date. This graduation trip happens only once in a lifetime. What's more important, friends or girls?"After some discussion, they decided that bringing girls along would reduce the chances of having spontaneous encounters on the road. So, they agreed not to invite Evelina.I thought, "They haven't tasted the bitterness of love yet. They're still too naive."I just smiled and didn't say anything.I figured that, with Evelina's proud personality, she would definitely not want anything to do with us after being turned down.But to my surprise, Evelina called me directly."Let's make a bet. If you lose, you have to let me join the graduation trip."I frowned. I really didn't want to have any contact with her in this life.Sensing my silence, she chuckled and taunted, "What, afraid you'll lose?""The choice of the challenge is yours. Just don't cry when you lose.""You're the one who'll be crying."The next day, I was asked to meet her at the mall.Evelina was already there waiting for me.She was, just as I remembered, beautiful and graceful. She stood there, and passersby couldn't help but steal glances at her.I was drawn to a poster nearby that read "Couple's Kissing Contest," and I fell into deep thought.The rules were simple. The couple who kissed the longest would win.I thought, "Couple?What kind of couple are we?"But Evelina didn't seem to mind and walked right in."I've already signed us up. As long as we make it to the top three, you win.""Shouldn't it be a contest between the two of us?""It is between the two of us. Remember? I get to pick the challenge."I thought, "She's clever, trying to exploit the loophole in the rules.She must be hoping I'd back out."But to be honest, compared to spending ten days traveling together, eating, and living side by side, a kissing contest lasting a few minutes seemed far less daunting.Besides, Evelina and I had been married for over thirty years, and I was well accustomed to kissing her.We stood facing each other, eyes locked.I'd looked at this face for over three decades. I had to admit, she was truly beautiful. At nineteen, her features were delicate, her skin soft and youthful, and her eyes clear like morning dew, mesmerizing.But I had seen through Evelina. I knew her heart was cold as ice. No matter how beautiful she looked now, I wouldn't be swayed.The contest began, and I didn't move. Evelina seemed determined to win, grabbing my collar and kissing me straight away.The moment our lips met, a sweet taste filled my senses, making me shiver. Evelina was so forward, taking advantage of the moment to pry my lips apart, her soft tongue teasing mine.Startled by her boldness, I instinctively wanted to pull away. But Evelina's hand brushed against my earlobe, sending a wave of tingling numbness through me, making it hard to resist.In the brief moments we broke for air, I could clearly see the meaningful gleam in Evelina's eyes.Memories of my past life came rushing back.Evelina was the top student and the school beauty, with countless admirers lining up to give her love letters.And I, too, would try to impress her by making a three-point shot whenever she passed by the basketball court.However, Evelina turned down all the boys' advances. She seemed more interested in those who didn't show much enthusiasm for her.I realized that this time, my aloofness had triggered Evelina's desire to conquer.Evelina seemed fully invested, her grip on my clothes tightening.Feeling a slight pain on my lips, I snapped back to full clarity.Oh, I knew this was just one of her tricks to make me relent.In the next second, I pushed her away.Evelina looked at me in shock, almost in disbelief.She probably never expected someone to refuse to get close to her.I said flatly, "I lost."Evelina quickly recovered, flashing me a smile."Then I'm looking forward to our first trip together."I turned and walked away, not wanting to stay with her any longer.But I couldn't ignore the lingering sweetness of Evelina's taste on my lips.I couldn't forget her sweet taste.
The day of the graduation trip arrived quickly.Unlike the last time, Evelina brought another girl along.She brought Miley Glyn, a sweet and quiet girl from the neighboring class. Miley was delicate and adorable, with an endearing sweetness.The other guys rushed to help them with their luggage.I moved to the side, not wanting to join in on the chaos. Unexpectedly, Evelina pushed through the crowd, dragging her suitcase, and walked right up to me."Allanson, can you help me carry my suitcase?"All eyes turned to me, filled with envy and jealousy, as if they wanted to tear me apart.In my last life, I was also one of those guys scrambling to carry her luggage.But now, I just wanted to keep my distance. I didn't even want to go on this trip with her, let alone help with her bags.I said coldly, "The trip's just started, and you already need help? If you're that weak, maybe you should just head back home early."Evelina wasn't about to back down. "Theodore is helping Miley with hers."I strode over to Theodore, grabbed Miley's suitcase, and gave him a push."Did you hear? She wants you to carry it."Theodore looked confused and pointed at himself."Me?"I didn't bother explaining. I just took Miley with me and headed toward the station.In my past life, I never realized Theodore had a crush on Evelina. Sadly, he died without knowing Evelina liked him back. They missed each other back then, but the love letters Evelina kept locked in her safe were a testament to their hidden affection.I figured, this time, I should give them a chance."Allanson, slow down."I was walking too fast, and Miley, being small, couldn't keep up and was nearly in tears.I realized my carelessness and quickly apologized.Seeing no one else around, Miley blinked and whispered, "Do you know what kind of girls Theodore likes?"I hadn't expected Miley to have a crush on Theodore. It was unfortunate that her feelings were doomed because Theodore liked Evelina.I patted her shoulder sympathetically.Miley, reading my expression, understood she didn't stand a chance and immediately burst into tears.I was at a loss, stepping forward to comfort her, but I was abruptly shoved away by a strong hand.Theodore rushed over, bursting with righteous indignation. "Allanson, did you drag her over here just to bully her? You're disgusting!"He seemed to forget Evelina was right there. I was a bit anxious; I knew it was a big mistake to show concern for one girl in front of another.Evelina's eyes were full of hurt.Still, given the current state of things between us, I had no right, nor any ability, to comfort her.The high-speed train started boarding, and the crowd suddenly swelled. As I turned to get in line, Evelina grabbed the corner of my shirt.Instinctively, I pulled away.Evelina rebuffed again, stood frozen in place, staring at her now-empty hand. Her frail figure looked exceptionally lonely in the crowd.For a moment, my heart wavered.I was too familiar with that lonely look of hers.In my last life, Evelina always looked at me with sadness in her eyes, her brows always furrowed.She was never happy when she was with me.Every year on Theodore's death anniversary, Evelina was even more heartbroken than I was. She'd prepare a table full of dishes, pour a pot of wine, and drink with me until we were both drunk. In those hazy, half-dream states, I'd hear her uncontrollable sobbing.It was as if she was mourning the lover she could never be with through me.I thought, "Evelina never needed me; she's always treated me as a stand-in.Why should I bother being sentimental?"I turned away, walking decisively into the boarding gate."Can I sit with you?"I had just sat down when I looked up and saw Evelina again.I thought, "I've made myself clear, so why does she keep sticking around? She's really getting on my nerves."I turned to see Theodore and Miley sitting together, and I immediately understood. I got up, intending to switch seats with Theodore.Theodore looked on guard."What are you up to? Are you going to bully Miley again?"Miley put on a pitiful look, too.I was forced back to my seat.Luckily, several others volunteered to switch seats with me. I chose the furthest away, Leland Natt, hoping I wouldn't have to see Evelina anymore.To my surprise, Leland returned within minutes, insisting on switching back.I wondered when, sitting next to the school, beauty had become so undesirable.Not giving up, I was about to ask a stranger if they'd switch seats with me when suddenly, a strong hand grabbed my arm and yanked me away.Evelina, huffing with anger, seemed provoked.In my last life, Evelina was in management at the company. She was assertive and decisive at work. She was incredibly strict, and her subordinates were all terrified of making mistakes and getting scolded by her.Everyone said Evelina made an exception for me because she never lost her temper with me. But I thought it was because we weren't close that she never got angry and always kept things polite and distant.After all, no one wanted to be treated like a guest by their own wife.I figured we didn't even need to keep up that pretense of distance this time. After all, after this trip, we'd be strangers.I tried to shake off her hand, but she pushed me straight into the bathroom.The bathroom door slammed shut behind us.The cramped space barely fit the two of us, but there wasn't an ounce of romance in the air.I was about to leave, but then I saw that Evelina, who had been furious a moment ago, suddenly fell silent. She looked up, and I saw her eyes were red. She was struggling, trying not to let the tears fall.Evelina's voice trembled with grievance. "Allanson, so what if you've been reborn? I've been so forward this time, and you still have the heart to treat me like this! I am your wife!"What did I do to make you hate me? Why are you avoiding me? Can't you just tell me clearly?"
I hadn't expected Evelina to be reborn, too.The biggest regret of our last life was that graduation trip.In our previous life, something went wrong during the trip. In the days that followed, because I was physically limited, that trip became a shared shadow in our hearts. For over thirty years, the farthest I ever traveled was from my hometown to the university. After that, I never ventured far from home again.Evelina, on the other hand, flew all over the world for work.I could only scroll through travel bloggers' videos on my phone over and over.I had tried suggesting we go on trips together during the holidays, but she always refused, citing the crowds outside and my physical limitations. Evelina would say that we could never bear another accident.But she never knew how worried I was for her safety whenever she was out there on her own.From that graduation trip onwards, everything that followed was a mistake.I didn't want us to torment each other again in this life.I knew that if I could prevent that accident, our tragedy wouldn't repeat itself.Yet, just thinking about watching her fall in love with Theodore right before my eyes still made my heart ache.After all, this was someone I had loved for over thirty years. It wasn't something I could just let go of.So, I could only pretend to be oblivious."I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not avoiding you. We're just not that close.""Then, can we get to know each other again?""I'm not interested."Evelina seemed like she wanted to say more, but someone knocked on the door."What are you two doing in there?"Evelina froze. She seemed to finally realize where she had dragged me. Her face flushed instantly, and she became flustered.I sighed and texted Theodore to come over and help.When we stepped out, Evelina had regained her calm composure. She whispered in my ear, "No rush. I'll wait until you're interested."After getting off the high-speed train, we headed for the hotel.On the way, everyone else was chatting and laughing, but I was heavy-hearted. In just a few hours, it would be the time when the accident happened in my previous life. Evelina had also become very quiet."What's up with you two? You've both been acting weird since the train," Miley asked worriedly.Theodore immediately covered her mouth. He glanced at me meaningfully. It looked like he had misunderstood something.I didn't feel like explaining.Based on my experience from last time, I booked a different hotel this time.Unexpectedly, the same thing happened again. The travel group had taken our rooms again.No matter how much we complained, the hotel staff kept saying that next time, they'd give us a free room upgrade.We lugged our bags and started looking for a new hotel.It was peak travel season, and all the hotels had been booked up well in advance.Theodore pulled up a page on his phone and exclaimed, "There's still one available!"When I saw that it was the same hotel we stayed at last time, my heart tightened immediately. I hurriedly objected, "Not that one."Leland patted my shoulder and said earnestly, "I know the hotel isn't great, but we can't be picky when we're out on a trip. It's late, and we've been on the train for hours. Let's just make do for one night and look for another place tomorrow."Evelina quickly suggested, "How about we stay at an internet café for the night? I've never tried it before.""It's not suitable for girls to stay overnight at an internet café.""Yeah, you won't get any rest at an internet café."Seeing that things were about to develop just like they had in the past life, I suddenly remembered that there was a luxurious hot spring resort near that hotel where we could stay overnight.Back then, we had even lamented not booking it on our phones first.I quickly suggested that everyone hold off on booking anything and check out the place. After a while, I pretended to "just discover" the hot spring resort, and sure enough, everyone preferred staying there. With that, I had successfully avoided the old hotel from our previous life.It was Theodore's first time at a hot spring resort, and he seemed a bit out of place.Watching him looking all clueless, I felt a surge of emotion.Theodore was my best friend. In my last life, I dreamed countless times about this trip. I deeply regretted taking them to that hotel and regretted even more not stopping him from going back to save people.This time, I wanted my good friend to be happy.Theodore shifted his gaze from the food and looked at me. "Why are you crying?"I casually wiped my face and smiled. "It's sweat."He nodded and handed me a towel.Evelina and Miley walked over and asked, "Wanna go for a sauna together?"Their faces were already flushed from the heat.Knowing they were inviting Theodore, I tactfully prepared to slip away.But Evelina grabbed my arm, her bright eyes fixed on me. "You should come too."Against my better judgment, I followed them.Only after the door closed did I realize it was just the two of us inside.The sauna's heat was rising, making my mouth feel dry. The entire room was damp and warm, sweat dripping down Evelina's face, trailing down her long neck.Even though she had been my wife for over thirty years, I couldn't help but awkwardly turn my head away at that moment.After all, in this life, I wanted to be strangers with her.I got up to leave, but she pulled out an envelope from her pocket, trying to hand it to me.It turned out she had already received Theodore's love letter and had come to confess it to me.Facing a woman who didn't love me, a woman I had unrequitedly loved for over thirty years, I could feel my heart still racing.I thought I should act cool, but in the end, I fled.
After I stepped out of the sauna room, I realized Theodore and Miley were not following us.I checked the time and quietly slipped away from the hot spring resort."Fire! Fire!"The hotel lobby was empty, making it easy for me to sneak in and set off the smoke for a fire drill.In our last life, there were five other families staying in the hotel besides us. One of them had an elderly man with them.Theodore lost his life trying to save this old man.This time, I knocked on their doors first and got the old man out. Soon enough, I managed to lead all five families outside.Seeing no fire, only smoke, they began to grow suspicious."Where's the fire? There isn't any fire; it's just smoke.""Is this a joke, young man?""We're all old, and you got us out here in the middle of the night for a prank?"The earthquake was imminent, yet they were arguing, wanting to go back inside.A figure suddenly rushed out and shouted at them, "There's no way smoke would appear for no reason! It's a sign. Something big is about to happen!"She spoke so earnestly that everyone was stunned, hesitating in their steps.It was Evelina.It was the first time I'd seen her with such a vivid expression. To make people believe her, she exaggerated a bit. Evelina tried hard to explain, "It's true. There was a family near where I live whose water pipes suddenly burst and flooded their entire house. They had to move out, and that very night, a mudslide destroyed the house."As soon as she finished speaking, we suddenly felt a tremor.The solid building began to crack and collapse.People screamed and scattered in all directions.A rock fell from above. I didn't even have time to react.But Evelina threw herself at me.When everything calmed down, I was about to get up, only to find myself pinned down by Evelina.Her hand clutched my shirt tightly, her brows furrowed, her body trembling as if caught in a terrible nightmare.Despite her fear, Evelina chose to protect me.Luckily, we had avoided the rock.I hesitated, wanting to comfort her.Evelina recovered quickly, climbed up, and carefully checked me over. Only after confirming I was unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief.I looked into her eyes. Evelina's eyes were filled with tears."Thank goodness you're okay. This time, it was my turn to save you."She was right. It was all over now.After being entangled for over thirty years, perhaps in this life, we should each find our own peace.I clenched my fist instinctively, managing a strained smile."Yeah, so now we're even. You can go and pursue your own happiness."Evelina's expression grew confused. She opened her mouth as if wanting to say something.But before she could speak, Theodore and the others rushed over, immediately surrounding us."What are you doing out here?""There was an earthquake! Are you guys okay? How did you get outside?""Are you hurt?"Surrounded by the concern of our friends, we were escorted back to the hot spring resort.The earthquake was quite minor this time, and only that old hotel was affected. We had managed to keep everyone from going back inside, so apart from a few minor injuries from falling debris, everyone was safe.This time, our graduation trip finally had a fresh start.The next day, we went hiking as planned.Maybe it was because the weight on my heart had been lifted, but the forest air smelled especially crisp. The sound of the babbling stream and the wind rustling through the leaves seemed particularly melodious.
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