PREPARING FOR HISTORY TO REWIND
Inside her new mansion, Ella sits in a large, ornate chair, staring out the window. The weight of her past life presses on her, and she feels the need to confront it.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Thinking] Before all this... before the crash, before Herold, I was just a wife. I believed in love, in loyalty, in... being enough.
The memories of Leondel and Jhenzel flood back. His cold eyes as he accused her, his betrayal cutting deeper than the crash itself.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Softly to herself] He never loved me. Not really. I was just a trophy to him.
Her fists clench as the anger rises again, but she breathes out, steadying herself.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Muttering] I won’t make that mistake again.
Determined to never be caught off guard again, Ella heads to the hidden training room behind the mansion, where she discovers a dusty, unused combat dummy. A glint of determination shines in her eyes as she steps closer.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Grabbing a practice sword] If I’m going to survive this, I need to be prepared.
She begins practicing, attacking the dummy with swift, controlled strikes. She might not have been trained for combat in her past life, but she had the
Determination to start anew.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Grunting with each strike] I was a fool to trust anyone. I won’t be weak again.
Her movements are awkward at first, but she grows more fluid with each strike. Her muscles ache, but she doesn’t stop.
Later that evening, Ella finds herself in the estate’s expansive garden, surrounded by plants she doesn’t recognize. She kneels down, picking up an herb and examining it carefully.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Thinking] In my past life, I was always too dependent on others to help me. But now… now I’ll learn how to take care of myself.
She plucks a few more leaves, placing them gently into a basket. As she sorts through the herbs, she begins memorizing their properties.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Whispering] This one helps with pain… this one heals wounds… and this one can stop bleeding.
She smiles softly to herself, feeling empowered by her knowledge.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [To herself] In case I ever need to heal someone... or myself.
The next morning, Ella finds herself standing in front of a mirror, staring at the face of the woman she used to be. The same eyes, the same features, but now they carry a new weight—one forged by the betrayal and fear of her past life.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Thinking] If I want to survive this, I can’t let anyone see who I really am.
She quickly grabs a few scarves and hairpins, experimenting with different ways to hide her identity. She twists her hair into a different style, covering it with a scarf. She smudges her makeup and tries on different outfits to see which one gives off a different persona.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Muttering to herself] A new face… a new identity.
With each attempt, Ella grows more confident in her ability to change who she is, to hide her true self when necessary.
Later, Ella sits in the study, reading through books on combat, herbal medicine, and disguise. She’s so absorbed in her learning that she doesn’t hear the door creak open.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Voice low] You’re learning a lot for someone who’s supposed to be a prisoner.
Ella looks up, startled, but then catches herself, her face becoming unreadable.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Coolly] I’m not a prisoner. I’m a guest.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Smiling slightly] A guest, huh? Then why do I feel like you’re preparing for something more?
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Flatly] I’m preparing for the worst.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Tilts his head, studying her] And what exactly is that?
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Sharply] Someone like you—dangerous, unpredictable. I can’t afford to be unprepared.
Herold raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by her response.
Herold banguish
Herold: [Chuckling softly] You think I’m dangerous?
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Calmly] You’re not the only one who knows how to fight, Herold.
For a moment, there’s a tense silence between them, but Herold seems amused, the corner of his lips twitching into a small smile.
Herold banguish
Herold: [After a pause] Maybe I’ll see just how well you fight.
Ella stands up, her gaze steady, her confidence growing with each passing day. She’s no longer the woman who would take abuse lying down. This new life, this second chance—it was hers to shape.
As the days go by, Ella continues to train, learn, and plan. She doesn’t know what Herold’s real intentions are, but she’s not going to sit idly by. Her past life may have been full of mistakes, but she’s determined to make the most of this one.
Ella Eloine
Ella: [Thinking] I won’t let history repeat itself. This time, I’m in control.
Comments