Chapter 1

I was at the bank when the robbery happened.

The gunmen took our phones and the standoff lasted the entire day.

I had prepared for the worst, even writing out several goodbye letters in my head.

After I was finally rescued, I told my boyfriend about the terrifying experience.

He just looked at his phone and said, "Okay, I get it."

"Since you're done talking, go make me some dinner."

The words "I was so scared I'd never see you again" were on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them.

Later, when I calmly told him we were over, he finally lost his cool.

His eyes were bloodshot as he gripped my arm. "You're breaking up with me just because of that?"

I nodded. "Yes, Zane. Just because of that."

1.

I woke up early and rushed to the bank to update my ID information.

I was finally next in line when the doors burst open.

A group of men in black tactical masks stormed in, waving rifles.

"Nobody move! If you move, you die!"

The bank turned into a chaotic nightmare. People were screaming and crying everywhere.

"Phones! Throw them in the bag! Now!"

For hours, we were kept on the floor like animals.

I squeezed my eyes shut, and my mind raced with regrets.

I hadn't married Zane yet. I hadn't taken my parents on that trip to Europe. I hadn't...

Finally, the police arrived. After a terrifying shootout, the hostages were rescued.

My legs were like jelly, and I couldn't even stand up. A nurse caught me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alive... I'm still alive..." I whispered.

The nurse patted my shoulder gently.

"It's over now. Think of it as a second chance at life. Cherish it."

She was right. I had been given a new life.

I wiped my tears and called Zane the second I got my phone back.

"Hey, Zane, I..."

"Where are you? Why is it so loud?" Zane's voice sounded annoyed on the other end.

I was shaking, my voice breaking. "I'm at the bank, I was..."

"The bank? What the hell were you doing there?" he asked coldly.

"I... I lost my ID, I went to get a replacement..."

"Fine, whatever. I have to go. I'm busy."

Before I could say another word, he hung up.

My hand dropped to my side, the screen going black.

I told myself not to overthink it. He was probably just stressed at work. He would come to get me once he was finished.

I called an Uber and went straight to the apartment we shared.