Tears and New beginning

With a gasp, I jolt awake, my heart racing in my chest. Blinking rapidly, I take in the unfamiliar surroundings of the room.

Slowly, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and make my way towards the large window. As I draw back the curtains, I'm greeted by a breathtaking sight—a bustling cityscape of flashing, fast-flying cars and sleek mini spaceships darting through the air. This is Neo Novus, the capital hub of the intergalactic era.

Mesmerized by the sight of the futuristic city, I press my hands against the cool glass, taking in the vibrant lights and picturesque buildings that stretch towards the sky.

Just then, my intercom bracelet buzzes softly on my wrist, drawing my attention. With a flick of my wrist, a holographic display appears in front of me, showing the date: February 12th, 5144. But my mind struggles to comprehend the discrepancy—I remember the year as 5157. Was it all just a dream?

Shaken to the core, I stumble towards the bathroom. As I stand before the mirror, my reflection stares back at me—a 21-year-old version of myself, youthful and full of life. It's a sight that leaves me speechless, my mind reeling with disbelief.

Unable to process it all, I slowly leave the bathroom and make my way back to the bed. Sitting down heavily on the edge, I feel the weight of confusion and emotions crashing over me like a tidal wave.

And then, my gaze falls upon the table next to the bed. There, lying innocently, is the seed and single daisy flower from the dream—or was it a vision? I reach out, my fingers trembling as I pick up the delicate flower and the small seed.

"Mom," I whisper softly, tears welling up in my eyes. In that moment, the floodgates open, and I cry. I cry for my mother, whose love and guidance I sorely miss. I cry for myself, for the loneliness and emptiness that have plagued me for so long. I cry for the wasted years, the missed opportunities, and the dreams left unfulfilled.

Most of all, I cry for the child I never got to hold, the loss that still haunts me. I cry for the pain of abuse, both physical and emotional, that scarred me deeply. But amidst the tears, there's also a glimmer of hope—a hope born from the realization that I've been given a second chance.

As the tears flow freely down my cheeks, I hold the seed and the daisy close to my heart. They are symbols of hope, of new beginnings. And in this moment of raw emotion, I vow to myself that I will make the most of this second chance. I will live my life with courage and purpose, embracing each day as a gift.

With a deep breath, I wipe away my tears and set the seed and daisy back on the table.

I may not understand everything that has happened, but one thing is clear—I have been given a new beginning.

After a few hours of contemplation, I delicately wrap the flower and daisy in a soft cloth, careful not to damage their delicate petals. Holding the cloth-wrapped bundle in my hand, I feel a sense of determination welling up within me. This second chance at life will not be wasted.

With a firm resolve, I proceed to the bathroom to freshen up. Splashing my face with icy cold water, I let the shock jolt me awake, both physically and mentally. The chill wakes me from the haze of confusion and disbelief, grounding me in the present moment.

Turning my attention to the hologlyph—a triangular-shaped piece of advanced technology that serves as a multifunctional device—I pick it up from the table.

Pressing a button on its side, the hologlyph springs to life with a soft hum, projecting a three-dimensional display of words, graphs, and columns in the air before me. It's a detailed overview of the state of the business—James' company. Memories flood back as I study the data, recalling the countless hours spent in this very hotel room, tirelessly planning strategies to save the failing company.

Yes, I remember now. James had left me here while he went out to party, dismissing it as "making connections." In reality, he was gallivanting while I worked tirelessly to salvage what I could of his misguided ventures. He had taken advantage of my loyalty, manipulating me into believing that I was an integral part of our shared success. But now, with a clearer perspective, I see the truth—I was nothing more than a pawn in his game.

A surge of anger and determination courses through me. I refuse to be a fool any longer. Glancing at the hologlyph, I realize that I had already sent the meticulously crafted plans to James' email before my awakening. There's no turning back now.

Setting the hologlyph back down on the table with a determined thud, I know what I must do. I cannot stay here any longer, trapped in a cycle of manipulation and deceit. It's time to leave.

I grab my belongings and head for the door.

*

Exiting my hotel room, determination propelling my steps, I make my way to the elevator. As I step inside, the doors close behind me with a soft 'ding,' enclosing me in the sleek confines of the lift. Through the glass outer walls, I'm greeted once again by the mesmerizing night lights of Neo Novus, the cityscape a dazzling array of colors.

With a sudden lurch, the elevator begins its descent, hurtling downward at a dizzying speed. The city lights blur into a kaleidoscope of colors as we plummet through the levels. Minutes stretch into what feels like an eternity until finally, after what must have been 30 minutes, the elevator comes to a smooth stop on the ground floor.

Stepping out into the lobby, I flick my wrist and the holographic display from my intercom bracelet materializes before me. Tapping on the car icon, I place an order for transportation. In no time at all, a sleek flying car hovers to a stop in front of me, its engines humming softly.

I slide into the back seat of the car, greeted by the driver—a polite man seated at the front. "Good evening, my lady. Where to?" he inquires with professional courtesy.

"Medusa's Embrace," I reply firmly, the name of the women-only organization ringing with a sense of purpose.

Without hesitation, the driver nods and sets the car in motion. As we navigate the bustling streets of Neo Novus, I find myself lost in my thoughts. Medusa's Embrace, founded in the 4000s, is renowned as a fortress for women seeking safety and independence.

In an era where divorce is an exhausting and complicated process, requiring both parties' consent, agreement from witnesses, applications to official offices for name changes, and termination of joint accounts, escaping from a marriage like mine with James would be a long hard journey.

After what seems like a brief journey, the flying car comes to a halt in front of the imposing building of Medusa's Embrace. Its architecture reminiscent of ancient Greek structures, the building stands tall and formidable. A large stone sculpture of a woman with serpentine hair—the iconic Medusa—adorns the entrance, a symbol of strength and empowerment.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead, and step out of the car. The cool night air greets me as I walk towards the entrance of the building.

*

Six hours have passed since I stepped into the sanctuary of Medusa's Embrace, and now I find myself on a spaceship hurtling away from Neo Novus. The city's vibrant lights fade into the distance as I leave behind the tangled web of my old life.

With James and all his relatives blocked, as well as my own family, they are left in the dark about my whereabouts. None of them know about the luxurious space resort I inherited, at this point in time, hidden gem tucked away from their prying eyes.

Having unilaterally divorced James through the services of Medusa's Embrace, I hold the assurance that all attempts to investigate or track me will be met with dead ends. The organization's strict protocols ensure that my privacy and safety are upheld, shielding me from any unwanted interference.

As I sit in the comfortable confines of the spaceship, a sense of liberation washes over me. The weight of my past life feels like a distant memory, replaced by the exhilarating freedom of this new beginning. I can't help but laugh to myself at the thought of their reactions when they realize I've vanished without a trace.

The seed and daisy, tucked safely in my pocket, serve as reminders of hope and renewal.

As the spaceship speeds through the cosmos, I gaze out of the window at the infinite stars twinkling in the darkness.