Chapter 2

My resurrection ability was real, no doubt about it.

Three years ago, after that plane crash, I was the sole survivor. Just before they pulled me out of the wreckage, a voice whispered to me: You have three chances to resurrect.

I used the first on myself, of course, to simply survive the crash.

Cassandra was the Captain, leading the rescue efforts.

Standing before the plane's wreckage, a cold aura clung to her, a true warrior in every sense.

I was curled up on a stretcher, shivering uncontrollably. She turned her face toward me, her dark eyes swept over me, as if they could see straight into my soul.

"Don't be afraid," she said. "You're safe now."

Her voice was deep and soothing, like a warm current washing over my heart.

In that instant, I was utterly captivated. The voice had told me: Maintain a marriage with your fated one for three years, and you can stay in this world forever.

Looking at the stern, beautiful woman before me, I decided to take a chance.

At twenty-eight, it was the first time I'd ever wanted something so fiercely.

Cassandra looked to be in her early thirties, tall, with a lean, strong physique honed by years of training. She was slender, yet every muscle was defined and powerful.

She moved with a distinctive rhythm, a subtle grace born from rigorous training.

Every time I passed the Emergency Response team headquarters, I could pick her out from her silhouette.

I began approaching her, just as an ordinary guy.

Every day, I'd bring coffee for the rescue team, and late-night snacks for those working overtime.

I knew I was acting like a humble admirer, but I didn't care.

They said Cassandra never accepted favors from men easily. But my coffee, she took.

She was always polite and kind, but she kept me at arm's length. The team members felt sorry for me, saying I was blind to reality.

"Cassandra never gives any man hope. Don't waste your time," they'd warn me.

But what I didn't tell them was, every time I'd "accidentally" stumble, she was always the first to steady me.

She'd say "Be careful," but her hand would linger on mine for just a moment too long.

Until one day, I overheard her on the phone, her voice laced with an affection she called a man's name.

It was Julian, her former partner. They'd known each other for ages, so I heard.

Julian was incredibly handsome. Everyone said they were a match made in heaven.

I should have given up right then. But back then, I still had two chances left, and I was young and headstrong. I truly believed I could make it through those three years.

If I'd known then that my second chance would be used to save her friend, and my third would be ended by her own hands, I would've stayed far, far away from her from the very beginning.

But love, you know, makes you blind.