Building a Second Life

inal betrayal. She didn't just discard me, she erased me. She took my love and turned it into a prop for her public relations campaign.

e flatline was not an end. It

oid, the anger still

cold, mechanical System, but somet

otagonist deviation resulted in pr

ole as designated 'Villain.' Fulf

mpty nothingness. The memory of Eleanor' s smiling face as

the intention screa

e the relationship between Eleanor Vance and Liam Stone through targeted

k in a dizzying floo

f the hospital. Sunlight streamed through a large window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. My hands flew to my chest.

ws they had become. I looked around the room. It was my old bedroom in the M

the wall read

n. Ten years. I had

r streaked with grey peeked in. My mother. Not my

sleeping so soundly, I didn' t

es, hot and sudden.

de, her cool hand pressing against my forehead. "Honey, wha

nt, the scent of unconditional love. It was something I had craved my entire previous life. The Millers, my biological parents, had been simple, loving p

they were here.

he murmured, stroking my h

m. It was a memor

asted like heaven, my father, a quiet man with calloused

s morning, son," he said

out the future," I s

re program at Crestwood University," he said with a

to a student exhibition, praised my work, and offered me an internship at her gallery. An

this

nd unwelcome presence, echoed in my mind. [Attend the Vance Ga

Health points are a buffer agains

leanor was championing. In my past life, I had stood in the corner, shy and overwhelmed, watching Eleanor charm

dn' t be watching

oice steady. "I thin

surprised by the sudden declarati

I said. "You could say that. I' m going to a party." A pa