92 Chapter 92: Second Chance [Erik]

[Erik's Perspective]

I returned to the past in an alternate world and regained my memories of my past life.

I was given another chance at life...

This world is comparatively different than that of the one I lived through. In this one, Arielle broke off our engagement, got together with Garett, and tells me she hates me.

Arielle seemed happy being with Garett as if we were never engaged in the first place. She also seemed to not have recalled any of those painful memories she had of Garett's death. If she did, she would not so easily attach herself to Garett like that since it was both of our faults that brought about his death. I should have been happy for her, but all I felt was bitterness.

While I suffered inside with these memories I regained, Garett could happily stay by Arielle's side without a care in the world. Later, I found out that Arielle had memories of our past lives. However, she clearly expressed her opinions about how being my fiancée was slowly killing her from the inside. I surmised that was probably why she went to be with Garett. He made her feel happy and safe. All guilt I felt for letting him die in our past lives seemed to disappear.

That is why I dressed up as him and went to see Arielle. I wanted to at least capture his hurt expression as he saw me kissing Arielle, but it all backfired when I heard that a bookcase fell on top of her shortly after she ran away from me when she found out that I was not Garett whom she had been accompanying on her date with.

Her accident was clearly my fault, yet this Garett asked me to come visit her and even bring her flowers.

I could not believe how generous this Garett was. I forced a kiss on Arielle in front of him, but he still asked me to come visit her as if nothing happened. He then proceeded to tell me that Arielle had lied to me about hating me and never stopped caring about me. He was clearly in love with Arielle, but told me the truth anyways. His altruistic nature made me feel guilty for having tried to hurt him.

I loved Arielle too, yet I doubt that I could have done the same in his position.

"Would you mind getting flowers for Arielle?" Garett asked.

"I think she would be much happier if you brought them," I said.

"...I want to stay by her side a little longer," Garett said with an awkward smile.

He was willing to give me a chance to make up with Arielle.

"Thank you," I told him.

"...Her favorite flowers are peonies," Garett said.

I went downstairs to find the florist nearby.

As I bought a bouquet, I tried to think back the last time I bought her a bouquet. Ever since Garett died in our past lives, I could not remember the last gift that I gave her in my past life. I had many chances to give her a simple gift but gave up every time. I could have just given her a simple gift and opened up a conversation with her but was scared to try anything. That was probably why our relationship was slowly dying.

When I returned to Arielle's room, I learned that the accident from the bookcase had made her lose all of her memories of my death, her suicide and this second life. She vaguely remembered Garett's death but could not remember the small details leading up to the incident or what happened afterwards. On top of that, she had no recollection of this Garett who was currently by her side.

It was as if God was giving me a second chance to be with this person.

"...Will you let me stay by your side while you recover?" I asked as I held her hand.

"Of course, you are my precious husband...or dear fiancé as of right now," Arielle said as she grasped my hand.

Arielle had returned to the time of when she accepted me and believed that I was still her life partner. I had been waiting so long for this moment. I loved her so much that I could not ignore this second chance.

That is why I have to apologize to this Garett...

He may have loved her for one lifetime, but I have been loving her for two and cannot imagine having the same feelings for anyone else.

"After I got stabbed, I was on the verge of death. She could not forgive herself for having let the both of us die because of her. She only remembers vaguely about the events surrounding your death because it was so traumatizing to her. However, in those last moments of her life, she remembered you and called out your name! Do you really want to go back to her and force her to relive those memories again? It was already bad enough when she was coming to terms with my death, so don't go back to her. Don't make her relive those painful days again," I pleaded to Garett.

"I have seen her cry because of you so many times. What makes you think you are more qualified to stay by her side?" Garett asked.

I know her true feelings because of you. She lied to me several times because she wanted to protect me in her own awkward way.

"...The other you chose me to protect her before you died," I said.

"You still let her die in the end!" Garett said.

"It was an accident that I was killed in. Now that all of the circumstances leading up to my accidental death has been avoided, I can protect her with all of my might," I said.

After outing Kaya Ouchi and purging several corrupted Nobles who had chosen to follow her, I had steadily gained power and helped with solidifying my position. I can protect her as I am now much better than in our first lives where I was ignorant about the intentions of the people closest to me. I will dwindle their powers now while they are trying to build themselves up.

You have to admit that I am the better person meant to be by her side...

"All of you people are terribly selfish," Garett said as he left.

I will gladly use the chance you gave me and take Arielle back by any means necessary even if that means kicking the current Garett out of her life.

The present Garett means nothing to me. You are not much more than a stranger to me, so I have no qualms about using your feelings of wanting to protect Arielle against you.

If the past Garett is watching me from above, I want to sincerely apologize. Garett was my second favorite person in the whole world after Arielle. I loved him more than my parents and treated him like a brother. If he was here, I would not be treating the current you like some second-rate knockoff.

I am truly sorry for taking Arielle from you a second time, but I promised the other Garett that I would take care of Arielle.

I am aware that it was due to Garett's and my death that caused Arielle's unfortunate end. There is a way for all of us to be alive but happy is another matter since only one of us will have to sacrifice their happiness. I will at least assure that the current Garett is safe from harm and is able to live a full healthy life.

Two people are too crowded for Arielle's heart.

From now on, I will be Arielle's one and only...