Chapter 3 Her shadow

“Mute?”

The noise in the hall vanished the moment the word left my lips, as if a heavy silence had fallen from the ceiling, swallowing the breath of everyone present.

“How dare you?!”

A sharp voice tore through the silence. I quickly turned to see a middle-aged woman sitting beside Alexander. Her features were completely tense, her eyes burning with anger.

My heart stopped for a fraction of a second as I looked at her in shock.

“Do you even know who you’re speaking to? How can you address the CEO like that?”

Her words came out like bursts of rage, and panic crept into my limbs. Still, I tried my best to stay composed and explain myself.

“I… I didn’t mean to insult him, I just ...” I said softly, trying to clarify.

But she didn’t give me the chance to explain.

“Silence this is not a place for such ridiculous behavior.”

She cut me off sharply.

My chest tightened, and that familiar feeling returned the feeling of being silenced before I could even speak, judged before I could explain.

I slowly turned my gaze toward Alexander. He was sitting in complete calm, unmoved. He didn’t speak, didn’t intervene—only watched me in a strange silence.

“I’m sorry…” I whispered, lowering my eyes and gripping my file so tightly my nails dug into the paper.

I turned and left the room with slow, heavy steps, as if every movement required effort.

Silence filled the room, broken only by the woman’s irritated voice.

“That rude girl… she doesn’t even deserve to”

“She is accepted.” Alexander said calmly.

“Mr. Alexander?” she asked in shock and disbelief.

He slowly stood up, adjusting his cuffs with complete composure, not even looking at her.

“She is the most suitable.” he said simply, as if the decision was final and not open to discussion.

Then he walked toward the door and paused for a moment.

“Do not repeat this mistake. No one has the right to speak on my behalf.”

Outside, I walked without direction. My legs moved on their own, and I didn’t know where I was going or what I was doing. Tears blurred my vision, until a familiar mocking voice stopped me.

“Look who’s about to cry.”

I slowly lifted my head. James was standing there with his arrogant smile.

“Whether I cry or laugh, it’s none of your business,” I said sharply.

His smile widened as he stepped closer.

“What, did they reject you? I told you that position was never yours. It’s my destiny.”

“Fine. If it’s your destiny, then congratulations. Now get out of my face.”

Without thinking, I pushed him hard. He stumbled back and hit the wall.

Silence fell for a moment.

“I’m sorry…” I muttered instinctively, stepping toward him.

I stopped.

My fingers clenched tightly.

I was used to apologizing to him… used to fixing everything even when I was the one in pain.

I stepped back.

He looked at me, expecting me to come back and beg for forgiveness.

But I didn’t.

I turned away and walked off without looking back, stopping the first taxi I saw.

In that moment, a thought crossed my mind.

“Could it be… that James also came back to life? His behavior doesn’t match who he was in my previous life.”

I pushed my hair back, trying to dismiss the thought.

“Where to, miss?” the driver asked softly.

His voice pulled me back to reality.

My eyes widened. I didn’t even have a home yet. That meant I was still living with my mother.

I checked my phone. Same year, same timeline… but still one month before my mother’s death.

“My mother”

My heart tightened painfully.

“Could it be,she’s still alive?”

I gave him the address.

I ran out of the car the moment we arrived.

I opened the door and rushed inside, searching for her.

“Mom!” I shouted loudly.

I froze.

My eyes filled with tears, my heart pounding violently when I saw her in the kitchen.

“Why are you shouting, dear?” she asked in confusion.

I rushed toward her and hugged her tightly, crying.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t the interview go well? It’s okay… I’m here. I’ll always take care of you.”

My crying only grew stronger.

“Mom… Mom… just stay with me. I’ll work anywhere and take good care of you.”

“What’s wrong with you? Did something happen?” she asked, placing a hand on my head.

“No… I just… missed you. I love you, Mom,” I shook my head while crying.

“You missed me? You left just a few hours ago,” she said in surprise.

But I didn’t let her go. I clung to her as if I was pulling her back from death.

In my previous life, she died in a car accident,and now there was still a month left.

“I won’t allow it this time” I whispered.

“What did you say?” she asked.

“Nothing,I love you, Mom.” I quickly wiped my tears.

“I love you too, my child. Now wash your hands and let’s eat.”

We sat together at the table. My eyes kept tracing her face, as if I could spend my entire life just looking at her—as long as I didn’t lose her again.

“Since you’re being so affectionate today, you should listen to me and stop wasting your time with James… I don’t like that boy,” she said in a familiar tone.

“You deserve someone better,someone who values you.”

“I already left him. That bastard can go to hell. The important thing is that you’re here,” I said with a smile.

“Really?!” she asked in shock.

“I swear I’ll find someone a thousand times better than him.”

In another place

Inside a wide room filled with dim light,Alexander stood by the window.

An old photograph was in his hands.A girl smiling he had taken it secretly during university.

His fingers gently traced her face, and a faint smile appeared on his lips… but it carried something deep.

“You’re still the same, Estrella.”

He paused for a moment, then added in a low voice:

“But in this life… I won’t let anyone win you.”

He lifted his eyes and looked at his reflection in the glass.