Five Years L

angely whole. I blinked, trying to process the unfamiliar surroundings. Then it hit me - I looked different.

e was the Annalise of my dreams, unmarred and beautiful. Confusion mingled with disb

ise, just with a ver

n?" I questioned, s

d, I was glued to th

. "I just did! I spoke! I just did!" I screa

stood there, admiring the mira

peak. After all, I can walk, and

ked open, and in walked a man. A man I knew all too well, a man who had been m

trick orchestrated by my tormentors. But the look in River's eyes was differe

red my name with a

ies of our bitter rivalry flooded back, and I c

pped closer, examining me with a

ferent," he

my voice

eplied, my gaze l

ious encounters. Instead, there was an unspoken

y awake, Annal

ept skipping his lips whenever he wanted to, and

inally awake, Annalise, af

pped right in front of me, and while looking me in the eyes,

slowly, peering into m

nked twice and swallowed hard. Then, I moved my gaze to

here?" I a

loor, and I slowly drew unseen d

u," River repli

yes had disappeared, and a neutral look replaced i

m where I had been placed, and it was a beautiful sight to behold. My heart sank w

hrone you," he started. "You know, I have ears and eyes all over. But, I di

er could easily refer to him by his name but chose to call him my

ooling off at the park on that day. I didn't have any plans to do anything else, other than just cool off and then leave the environm

like he was trying to catch hi

lp it anymore, I decided to go see for myself, and immediately I stood up and turned around, and I saw him p

d you do to

the best witch doctors to care for you. Although, you were al

igh

l curious about my rebirth

nse of duty, had brought me back to his pack to save me. His words resonated with me, and

stions to ask but wanted to let it all lie low while I focused on the future and how

t particular question, so I decided to let it slide. River was either keeping the information from me or didn't know either

lf slowly letting go of my old grudges. I realized that,

r called, taking

ded, looking hi

u want to do n

ge!" I respon

we have to get your life outside being Annali

and didn't waste any ti

u mean?" I

new background, a new life, and a new name. You cannot walk around with

ds. I knew my friend and ex-husband's weaknesses

ant to give me, River?" I asked. "I

hoose your life. Whatever you think would work perfect

ssed. I knew whatever I chose would affect my revenge deeply, and I wanted something that wouldn't be suspi

se," River said, patien

there patiently waiting for me to decide, so

th River's support, I felt more confident than ever that justice would be served. I knew the reason I was given a second ch

venge, the answer to Riv

I finally said, my voice steady

le playing on his lips. "

reate a new identity for me, complete with forged documents and a carefully crafted ba

h the burning desire for revenge. I knew the path ahead would be treacherous, but with Ri

e was closed and a new chapter as