After finishing her last bite of cake, Sadie stood up. "I have to go now, Astrid. Bye," she said, waving before heading out the door.
I sighed and made my way to my room, my mind still restless.
As I looked at the calendar, I traced my fingers over the date—Tuesday. Tomorrow will be Wednesday.
Could I still return to my present?
And if I couldn't…
Would I be stuck here in the past forever?
A part of me whispered that maybe, just maybe, I could change my fate and never become Astrid Thornwell. But another part of me recoiled at the thought.
My son.
Theo is all I have in the future. If I change the past, what happens to him? Would he simply vanish? The idea chilled me to the core.
I love my son. But I hate Darian.
What should I do?
Please… give me a sign.
I sighed, pressing my fingers to my temple. My head throbbed from overthinking. Maybe if I rested, I'd wake up with more clarity.
---
"Mommy," Theo's small voice echoed as I peeled an orange.
"Yes, darling?" I replied gently, glancing at him.
He hesitated, looking down. "Do you ever wish… I was never born?"
The knife slipped in my grip. My breath caught in my throat.
"What?" I whispered, my hands freezing mid-motion. How could he even think that? He's my pride. My joy. My everything.
"I overheard things… about Dad. About what he did to you." Theo's voice wavered. "I don't understand why you stayed. He's a good dad, but he's not a good husband to you."
Tears welled in his eyes, and his little hands clenched into fists.