Do it all again

Cael sat on the hospital bed, his mind in turmoil. The realization of his situation hit him like a tidal wave, each thought sinking him further into despair. Not only was he in an omegaverse world—a concept he barely understood—but he was a dominant omega, a status that made him stand out in ways he desperately wished he didn't. He envied Jade, the recessive alpha, for his role in the novel. Despite Jade's tragic fate, his secondary gender at least aligned with the world's power dynamics.

Cael tried to wrap his head around the strange rules of this universe. Alphas, omegas, betas—terms he only vaguely recalled from his sister's relentless ramblings about Love Conflicts. But beyond the biology, what haunted him most was the thought of starting over.

All his achievements as El Johansen—years of sleepless nights, hours of grueling study, the plans he'd carefully laid out for his future—were gone. He remembered the anxiety that pushed him to excel, the determination to make his parents proud and give his siblings a reason to look up to him. From the moment he entered college, he was always at the top. Nursing research projects, clinical practice, exams—he'd tackled it all with relentless dedication. It was exhausting, but it was worth it.

El had been working as a nurse for six months when his body gave out. He hadn't noticed the signs of overwork—his constant fatigue, the headaches, the feeling of being stretched too thin. A weak child from the start, El had always ignored his limits, pushing himself harder with every obstacle. His perfectionism wouldn't allow him to settle for less. Even after being hospitalized once for overstudying, he didn't stop.

And now, none of it mattered.

Cael forced himself to stop thinking about his old life. The bitter truth was inescapable—he'd died. As much as it hurt, there was no way back. He could only move forward, even if the thought filled him with an overwhelming sense of loss.

Lost in his thoughts, Cael nearly jumped when the sound of the door knob turning pulled him back to the present. The door opened to reveal two figures—a middle-aged man with a warm, composed demeanor and a young man with a gentle smile.

The older man stepped forward and introduced himself. "Cael, I'm James Chang, your father's best friend and your mother's brother. And this," he gestured to the younger man, "is my son, Jade."

Cael's breath caught as he looked at Jade Chang. The Jade Chang. The recessive alpha, the tragic protagonist of Love Conflicts, the man whose life spiraled into despair and suffering. Despite knowing what lay ahead for Jade, Cael couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and unease as Jade smiled warmly at him.

"It's been a long time, cousin," Jade said softly, stepping closer to embrace him.

The hug was brief but awkward, and Cael couldn't help but feel like an impostor. He didn't belong here.

After the pleasantries, James sat down beside Cael and spoke gently. "I know this must be a difficult time for you, but I want you to know that you're not alone. I've decided to adopt you. Whatever you need, I'll provide it."

Before Cael could respond, James pulled him into a firm, comforting hug. Cael froze, overwhelmed by the kindness from a man he didn't truly know.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Cael spent his time with James and Jade, answering their questions and doing his best to act the part of their grieving relative. When the evening came, they informed him that he would be discharged from the hospital the next day and would move into the Chang household.

"We'll make all the arrangements," James assured him. "Oh, and the funeral for your parents will be held on November first."

Cael nodded silently, his heart sinking at the mention of the funeral. He had no emotional connection to the people who had been his parents in this world, but he couldn't help feeling a sense of sorrow for the original Cael Baker. The boy had simply been living his life, only to be swept into the chaos of the main characters' tragedy.

Lying back in bed that night, Cael stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. He had inherited a life filled with loss and danger. He felt like a ghost—disconnected from everything and everyone around him. Still, somewhere deep inside, a flicker of determination remained.

I may not be El Johansen anymore, he thought, clenching his fists, but I won't let this world destroy me the way it destroyed him.