Abused And Broken

Chapter Forty-four: In Another Life

Augustus' life inside the prison was like living in hell. He wanted to die, but at the same time, he didn't want to. He thought that by living this way, he could atone for his sins. He spent his twenty years of life in prison. Even though he was awarded parole, he didn't accept it. There wasn't anyone who was waiting for him, so what was the use of leaving the prison?

Every single day, he would stare blankly at the ceiling, wondering if he hadn't made those stupid decisions, would everything have turned out well?

He deeply regretted all the things he had done before. If it weren't for his pride and arrogance, he wouldn't have lost the woman he loved.

Glancing at the window, Augustus smiled bitterly. Great thunder suddenly rumbled, followed by a serpentine lightning bolt flashing through the sky, its dazzling light streaking the blue sky.

"If there's another life, I will keep my vow and love you, Samantha. I'm sorry that I was such a fool." Augustus coldly laughed at himself because he knew it was impossible. The hatred that was caged in his heart slowly dissipated as he realized that all of those things had happened because of him. He deserved everything, and he didn't have the right to hate Samantha because it was he who fucked everything up.

As he closed his eyes, tears glided down his cheeks. His breathing stagnated, and life slowly drained out from his body. His cellmates thought he was just sleeping, so they didn't bother him.

They only discovered he was dead when they touched his body. At that moment, they pitied him. They witnessed how he cried every night, whispering a woman's name while beating his chest. It was such a pity that there was no medicine for regrets.

Augustus stared blankly at Samantha, and the image of his wife twenty years ago coincided with this woman in front of him.

"Samantha..." he said, her name in a daze.

It wasn't long after Samantha left that Augustus finally seemed to have snapped out of his astonishment when he heard the clap of thunder.

Augustus looked around, and his pupils dilated when he saw the framed wedding picture hanging on the wall. He still remembered that he had broken it into pieces before.

Why was he here? Wasn't he inside the prison?

Looking around, he realized that everything inside the room was still the same before he ruined everything.

He rubbed his temples, shook his head, opened his eyes again, and was still in the bedroom.

"This is not a dream..." he muttered to himself.

However, he really died in the cell. The pain was not like a dream, but the scene before him also didn't feel like it was a dream.

His mind was in a total mess.

'What happened? Did I go back in time?' he wondered. He even tried slapping himself, but the stinging pain made him realize he didn't imagine things.

Such a palpable sensation confused him even more. Now he wondered, was it the years he spent in prison were a dream or was it the scene before him?

Regardless of the reason, he was ecstatic. If God had given him another chance, he would certainly not make the same mistake again.

A wave of joy burst forth in Augustus' heart when he realized that perhaps he had gone back in time. But he knew it was impossible. However, even if he was dreaming, he didn't want to wake up from it.

Samantha returned with a glass of milk in her hand. She frowned when she saw his blank expression.

"What's wrong with you, August?" Samantha couldn't help but ask.

However, Augustus didn't answer her and instead pulled her into his arms.

"I love you, Sam. Promise me that you won't leave me. Please promise me..." His voice cracked as he spoke. As he embraced her, he couldn't help the swell of joy and bitterness that bloomed in his heart. Tears rolled down his cheek, and his arms tightened around Samantha's waist, seemingly afraid to let her go.

After spending his twenty years in prison, only then did he realize how foolish he was to hurt the only person who loved him wholeheartedly. This time, even if it were just his illusion, he would treat her better and give her the love she deserved. He didn't want to go through that pain again. Augustus vowed that he would give her everything that he hadn't done before.

Samantha was puzzled but still answered, "Of course, I won't leave you. Did you have a nightmare?"

"Yes. I'm sorry that I hurt you, but I won't let you leave me again. I promise that I'll dedicate my life to you and our child," Augustus firmly said.