Chapter 1

My husband, Logan Miller, and his first love were both trapped in the raging flood. After a moment of hesitation, he chose to save me first because I was pregnant.

By the time he turned back for her, it was too late. He could only watch as the current swept her away into the darkness.

For seven years, he blamed me for her death, claiming my rescue delayed him. He hated me so deeply that he never even allowed our son to call him "Dad."

When the Time Machine was finally released to the public, he abandoned everything to return to the past.

"Elena Thorne, if I hadn't been worried that saving Cynthia first would ruin her reputation, I never would have picked you," he snarled before disappearing.

After he left, my in-laws pinned all the blame on me.

"If only Logan had saved Cynthia back then, they would be so happy now," they lamented.

Even my own son turned his back on me.

"It's your fault Cynthia is dead! That's why Dad hates me! Why couldn't it have been you who died instead?" he screamed.

Facing their venom, I made my own choice. I stepped into the machine and went back.

This time, I will save myself. I won't owe Logan Miller a single thing.

......

The dizziness from the time travel faded, replaced by the bone-chilling cold of being submerged in water. It felt like I was drowning all over again.

I forced my eyes open and saw Logan standing on a small wooden boat. He was looking at me with a gaze so cold it matched the water.

The moment our eyes met, he didn't hesitate for a second. He turned the boat around and rowed toward Cynthia, who was shivering on a nearby rooftop.

The massive force of the current nearly dragged me under. I gripped a piece of floating timber, using every ounce of strength to swim toward higher ground.

Just as I was about to reach a safe zone, Logan's boat cut across my path. Cynthia lost her balance on the deck and nearly tumbled into the water.

To catch her, Logan dropped his oar. The heavy boat slammed directly into my side.

A sharp, agonizing pain flared in my abdomen, nearly making me lose my grip. Logan didn't even look back. He was too busy pulling a terrified Cynthia toward the shore.

When I finally crawled onto the bank, coughing up muddy water, Logan walked over. He looked down at me with pure disgust.

"Elena, you could have gotten out on your own this whole time," he said, his voice dripping with venom.

"You stayed in the water just to force me to pick you first, didn't you? You wanted to leave Cynthia to die."

I shivered, but not from the cold. He had no idea that I, too, had come back from the future.

"Are you going to run to my parents and tattle again?" he continued. "Say whatever you want about me, but if you frame Cynthia, I'll make you regret it, parents or not."

I pressed my hand against my aching stomach and looked up at him. "Let's get a divorce."

Logan froze, a flicker of shock crossing his face. Then he scoffed, his brow furrowing with impatience.

"I have too much to do. I don't have time for your little tantrums."

"I'm not throwing a tantrum," I said firmly. "I'm serious."

In my last life, Logan's final words were filled with regret. He hated that he hadn't saved Cynthia, and he hated that he'd married me because of his family.

I wouldn't make the same mistake twice. I would give him exactly what he wanted.

Logan didn't believe me. His eyes turned even more annoyed.

"My parents aren't here, so stop acting. You're just using the word divorce to make them hate Cynthia even more."

"Stop with these pathetic games. Divorce isn't a weapon for your petty drama. Now get up, I'll take you to the hospital."

He reached out a hand, a silent warning for me to stop making a scene.

The pain in my lower belly intensified. Just as I was about to take his hand to steady myself, Cynthia suddenly lunged forward.

She shoved me aside and grabbed Logan's arm, tears streaming down her face.

"Logan! Lucky swallowed so much water trying to protect me! He's not breathing right. Can we please take him to the vet first?"

Lucky was the dog Logan and Cynthia had rescued together years ago.

Without a moment's hesitation, Logan nodded. He didn't even look at me as I tumbled back onto the grass.

He suddenly remembered he'd promised to take me to the clinic. He glanced back, looking conflicted.

Cynthia saw the hesitation and immediately dropped to her knees in front of me.

"Elena, you aren't even hurt! Please let Logan take Lucky to the vet first. I can't lose him, please!"

Logan sighed and looked at me. "I'll find someone to give you a ride on a bike. I'll come find you after we see the vet."

I replied calmly, "Fine. Go."

Logan looked surprised by my lack of resistance. But Cynthia's frantic cries pulled him away. He climbed into his Jeep and sped off with her and the dog.

Once they were gone, I turned around and looked at the back of my skirt. It was soaked through with deep, dark crimson.

By the time I managed to limp to the hospital, the doctor gave me the news I already expected. It was too late. The tiny life inside me was gone.