REBORN HUBBY'S MYSTERIOUS WIFE
4
As they left their dorm, Theodore trailed slightly behind Aiden, Kai, and Lucas, his thoughts drifting as he took in the familiar surroundings.
The bustling hallways, the chatter of students, the posters on the walls advertising clubs and events—all of it felt like a ghostly echo of a life he once knew.
The sounds and sights of the college campus washed over him like a wave of nostalgia, yet with each step, he was reminded of the crushing weight of guilt that clung to him.
Every corner they turned, every face they passed, brought back memories.
Happy moments flashed before his eyes—laughing with his friends in the cafeteria, pulling all-nighters for exams, the adrenaline rush of sneaking out after hours.
But now, each memory felt like a stab to his heart.
This place, once a sanctuary of youth and freedom, now felt like a prison—a place where he was condemned to relive his worst regrets.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had died.
That the fire, the flames engulfing his body, had been real, and this was some cruel afterlife designed to torment him.
Maybe this was his punishment, to be trapped in a loop, forced to remember how good things once were, and how he had ruined it all.
His friends, who had once been his pillars of strength, now seemed like phantoms, unaware of the tragedy that had befallen them.
As they walked, Theodore’s eyes caught sight of a familiar figure: Jack, the campus playboy, leaning casually against a wall. Jack was notorious for his charm and his never-ending pursuit of romance, often found flirting with anyone who caught his eye.
Today was no different. He was leaning close to a nervous-looking first-year student, his trademark grin in place as he tried to win her over with smooth words.
Aiden noticed too and nudged Kai, nodding toward Jack.
AIDEN RIVERA
Looks like Jack’s at it again.
AIDEN RIVERA
Seriously, can’t he take a day off?
LUCAS MANTRIZ
The year hasn’t even started yet, and he’s already preying on the newbies.
Kai rolled his eyes and shook his head with a smirk.
KAISER D'CRUZ
He’s a real piece of work.
KAISER D'CRUZ
Someone should tell him there’s more to life than hitting on anything that moves.
Theodore watched the scene unfold, a bitter taste in his mouth. Jack hadn’t changed at all.
It was like time had frozen, trapping everyone in their old roles while he alone carried the burden of what had happened.
His heart ached as he realized how different he was from the carefree person he used to be.
The girl looked uncomfortable, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape.
Kai didn’t hesitate. With his usual sarcastic flair, he approached Jack and the girl, his voice dripping with mockery.
KAISER D'CRUZ
Hey, Jack, I didn’t know they were giving out awards for ‘Creepiest Upperclassman'
KAISER D'CRUZ
You might want to dial it back before you win something you don’t want.
Jack straightened up, his grin faltering as he recognized Kai’s tone. "Come on, Kai, I’m just being friendly."
KAISER D'CRUZ
Friendly? Is that what we’re calling it now?
Kai shot back, his eyes narrowing.
KAISER D'CRUZ
Because it looks more like you’re giving a crash course in harassment.
The girl took the opportunity to step away, relief evident on her face. She quickly muttered a thank you to Kai before hurrying off, her first day already tainted by Jack’s unwanted attention.
AIDEN RIVERA
Nice save, hero,
Aiden commented as Kai returned to the group.
Kai shrugged, a satisfied smirk on his face
KAISER D'CRUZ
Maybe. But for now, a little sarcasm goes a long way.
LUCAS MANTRIZ
You know, one day, someone’s going to have to teach Jack a lesson he won’t forget.
What he didn't know was that someone has already step foot inside this campus.
As they continued walking, Theodore’s gaze lingered on the other students they passed. Faces he hadn’t seen in years—people he had once shared classrooms, laughs, and memories with—all seemed to blur together.
It was like walking through a dream, everything so familiar yet so distant, like a life he could no longer touch.
He spotted a group of students from his old study group, huddled together in a lively discussion about some upcoming project.
There was the couple who always held hands in the hallway, whispering to each other as if the world didn’t exist.
And then there was the guy who always carried a guitar, strumming away during lunch breaks, filling the air with melodies that spoke of freedom and youth.
Each familiar face only deepened the ache in Theodore’s chest.
These were the people he had left behind, the ones who had been part of his life before everything had gone wrong.
And now, here they were, carrying on as if nothing had changed.
It was as if the universe had reset itself, leaving him as the only one aware of the tragic ending that awaited.
But why this day? Why was he trapped here, in this specific moment of his life? What was so special about today that he was forced to relive it?
As he pondered this, a sense of dread began to creep into his thoughts. There had to be a reason. There had to be something he was missing, something he had overlooked.
But what? What was so significant about this day that he was condemned to experience it over and over again?
The more he thought about it, the more desperate he became. He needed to figure it out, to understand why he was being punished like this.
And as they walked through the campus, the weight of his guilt pressed down on him, reminding him of everything he had lost, and everything he would never have again.
As they continued walking, the familiar hum of campus life surrounding them, Theodore’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a cheerful voice.
The group turned to see a girl with stunning brunette hair approaching them, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. She waved enthusiastically, her smile bright as she joined them.
Kai greeted her with a grin.
KAISER D'CRUZ
Looking radiant as always. How’s it going?
Jennifer smirked, crossing her arms as she looked them over.
JENNIFER VAISLOV
Oh, you know, just the usual.
JENNIFER VAISLOV
But you three seem awfully chipper for people who snuck out last night. (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)
Aiden stiffened slightly, his usual casual demeanor slipping into something more guarded.
KAISER D'CRUZ
What are you talking about, Jen?
He asked, his voice carefully neutral acting innocent
Jennifer raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying his attempt at nonchalance.
JENNIFER VAISLOV
Don’t play dumb with me, Kai
JENNIFER VAISLOV
I know about your little midnight adventure.
JENNIFER VAISLOV
Just because you didn’t get caught doesn’t mean people didn’t notice.
Kai chuckled, leaning on Aiden with his elbow.
KAISER D'CRUZ
Busted, I guess (=｀ェ´=)
LUCAS MANTRIZ
I told you we shouldn’t have taken that last detour.
Aiden shot Kai a glare before turning back to Jennifer.
AIDEN RIVERA
We didn’t do anything that bad,
He muttered, his expression now emotionless, a stark contrast to his usual lively attitude but his eyes fluttering unreadable emotions.
Jennifer’s smirk softened into a smile.
JENNIFER VAISLOV
Just be careful.
JENNIFER VAISLOV
You know how strict they are about rules, especially now that it’s our third year.
JENNIFER VAISLOV
And besides, you’ve got an orientation to attend, remember?
JENNIFER VAISLOV
It wouldn’t look great if the upperclassmen were caught breaking the rules.
As they exchanged banter, Theodore watched the interaction with a mix of emotions.
He noticed the way Aiden’s usual playfulness disappeared when he spoke to Jennifer, replaced by a quiet seriousness that was rare for him.
Theodore couldn’t help but smile a little, remembering how these two would eventually become a couple, despite all the odds.
In just three years, they would be married, raising two adorable twin boys who would be the center of their world.
But that warm memory quickly turned bitter as another thought crept in.
Guilt, sharp and unrelenting, pierced through Theodore’s chest as he recalled how he had treated Jennifer in the past.
She had always been like a little sister to him, someone who cared deeply for his well-being.
She had warned him, time and time again, about Elena, the girl who would eventually cause so much pain.
But he hadn’t listened. He had dismissed Jennifer’s concerns, even snapping at her, saying things he could never take back.
Jennifer had only wanted to protect him, but he had thrown her kindness back in her face, blinded by his obsession with Elena.
Now, standing here, remembering the pain he had caused Jennifer, the regret was almost too much to bear.
How could he have been so foolish? How could he have hurt someone who had only ever looked out for him?
He glanced at Jennifer, who was now teasing Kai about something trivial, her laughter light and carefree.
She had forgiven him, of course. That was the kind of person she was—always willing to give people another chance.
But Theodore couldn’t forgive himself. Not for what he had done, not for the way he had hurt her.
His smile faded as the weight of his past actions bore down on him once more.
He was trapped in this day, reliving these moments, and all he could think about was how much he had failed the people who mattered most to him.
Jennifer, Aiden, Kai, Lucas—how had he been so blind to their care and concern? How had he let things get so out of hand?
As they walked on, the lively chatter of his friends barely registered in Theodore’s mind.
All he could focus on was the overwhelming guilt, the crushing realization of how much he had lost, and how much he had hurt the people who had cared for him the most.
And as he looked at Jennifer, smiling and carefree, he couldn’t help but wish that he had listened to her, that he had made better choices. But it was too late for that now.
He was stuck here, in this memory, and there was nothing he could do to change the past.
What remains are only regrets
REBORN HUBBY'S MYSTERIOUS WIFE
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