Chapter 2 Not Too Late This Time
Joanna opened her eyes.
She was still in the hospital. But something was different. The room felt warmer. Not because of the temperature, but because of the voices.
"Mom, she's awake!"
A young man rushed toward her. Behind him stood a middle-aged man with sorrowful eyes. In the corner, a middle-aged woman was already crying.
"Millie." The young man's voice trembled. "You're awake. Thank God."
Joanna was confused. Millie. That was her name now. But she didn't recognize any of these faces. The young man took her hand. Joanna almost flinched. The touch felt unfamiliar. Warm.
"Millie," the woman whispered hoarsely. "You scared us."
Could they be her father, mother, and brother?
Something stirred inside her as she met their worried gazes. It was something Joanna had never truly experienced.
In her old life, everything had been about achievement. She had been expected to be strong, flawless, untouchable. Crying was weakness. Even her grandfather's affection had always felt distant.
But this family was different. Their faces were exhausted, yet they stood here waiting for her with genuine concern.
"I'm sorry," Joanna finally said. "I'm a little confused."
"That's normal," the middle-aged man replied. "You've been through a difficult time. The important thing is that you're alive."
Joanna nodded.
The door opened, and a doctor entered carrying a clipboard.
"Millie Hart?" He checked the chart. "You're very lucky. We thought you'd died from the cuts on your wrist and neck. Fortunately, you survived. Don't ever do something like that again. Your family has been worried sick for days."
Days?
"How many?"
"You've been unconscious for almost three days."
Three days. Joanna's thoughts spun. She had already lost three days.
A nurse glanced toward the Hart family. "About the hospital bill..."
Millie's father nodded quickly. "We'll take care of it. I'll find the money."
Jonny spoke up. "I've been taking extra shifts at the garage. Maybe I can cover the rest."
The doctor nodded. "We'll give you some time."
After he left, Millie's father stood. "I'm going to the cafeteria."
"I'll come with you," Millie's mother said. "Millie must be hungry."
Jonny looked at Joanna. "I'll stay."
"Brother?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I sleep a little longer? I'm really tired."
He hesitated. "But..."
"I promise I'm not going anywhere. We'll talk tomorrow."
After a moment, he sighed. "Fine. If you need anything, call me. Your phone's beside your pillow."
He pointed to a cheap phone with a cracked screen and a peeling Hello Kitty sticker.
Joanna nodded.
Before leaving, Jonny glanced back. "Mom and Dad were really worried. So was I. Don't ever do something like that again."
Joanna nodded once more.
The door closed and she was finally alone.
The family was warm and loving. So why had Millie chosen suicide?
Joanna pushed the question aside. There was something more urgent. She grabbed Millie's phone and opened a browser. Her fingers trembled as she typed.
News of her death was everywhere.
ARDEN HEIRESS DIES IN FATAL CRASH
EMERGENCY ARDEN FAMILY MEETING: WHO WILL BE THE NEXT HEIR?
Joanna read quickly. The succession meeting would take place in three days. If she did nothing, everything her family owned would fall into someone else's hands.
She dialed a number she would never forget.
Liana.
Her closest friend. Her assistant. The person she trusted most.
"Hello?" Liana sounded cold and unfamiliar.
"Liana. It's me. Joanna."
Silence.
"I'm sorry, who?"
"Joanna Arden. I'm not dead."
Another silence. Then Liana laughed.
"Whose prank is this? I'm calling the police."
"You almost resigned a month ago because another company offered you a job. I convinced you to stay by promising you a manager position."
Silence.
"Some people could know that."
"Your mother had colon cancer two years ago. During her surgery, you spent two hours crying in an emergency stairwell with me. You survived on lattes for two days."
The silence stretched.
"Joanna?" Liana's voice shook.
"Yeah."
"But you're dead. I attended your funeral. I watched them cremate your body."
Joanna sighed.
"Your ex-boyfriend pressured you into having an abortion when you were nineteen."
"Oh my God, Joanna!"
"I know it sounds impossible."
"You turned into ashes!"
"I know. But I'm still here. Just in someone else's body."
Liana fell silent again. Finally she asked, "What do you need?"
"The succession meeting is in three days. Find a way to stop it."
"That's difficult."
"Do whatever it takes. Freeze database access. Hack the company servers."
After several seconds, Liana exhaled. "I think I can actually do that."
"Good."
"But I want to meet you."
"I'll try tomorrow. And I need my laptop."
"Okay. I'll bring it."
"Thank you."
"Joanna?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're not dead. Even if this is insane."
A small smile touched Joanna's lips.
"Me too."
That night, Joanna couldn't sleep. Her thoughts were too chaotic. So she sat alone in a wheelchair beside a hospital window, staring at the night sky.
In her previous life, she had never stopped long enough to look at it. Now she had nothing but time. And ninety days that were already running out.
"Millie Hart?"
Joanna turned. A nurse stood beside her.
"Yes?"
"Good news. Your hospital bill has been paid in full. The doctor says you'll be discharged tomorrow."
Joanna froze.
"Paid? By who?"
The nurse pointed down the corridor. "That man."
Joanna followed her gaze. A tall man stood in front of the elevator.
She immediately rolled toward him.
He was handsome, broad-shouldered, and carried an air of quiet authority. His eyes were sharp yet strangely gentle. A faint smile appeared when their gazes met.
"Excuse me. Were you the one who paid my hospital bill?"
The man didn't answer. His gaze only deepened. Something about it made Joanna uncomfortable.
"Sir?"
Still silent.
Then he stepped closer. His expression softened. As though he had missed her terribly.
"You don't remember me?"
Joanna frowned.
Was he someone Millie knew?
"Am I supposed to?"
A strange mixture of sadness and relief crossed his face.
"No."
"Then why...?"
Ding.
The elevator doors opened. The man stepped inside.
"Wait!"
"We'll see each other again soon."
"Why?"
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"Because I'll make sure I'm never too late to save you again.”
