Carmella's POV
"I missed you," I smiled at what my boyfriend just said. I was talking to him on the phone while walking back to my condo. I had just come from the shooting range to relieve the stress caused by losing my job—thanks to my god-sister's scheming.
"Really?" I asked. He didn't answer, which made me frown. I was about to speak when I heard a faint moan on the other end of the line. I stopped walking.
"Hon, are you sick?" I asked with concern. He didn't answer right away, making me worry even more. I knew it! He's always late coming home because Jonas is a workaholic. I frowned.
"Ah-agh, n-no, it just… my throat hurts, mhm…" I nodded, a bit relieved by his answer. I started walking again. He was so quiet. I looked at the walking signal—it was green, so I crossed the street.
"Did you eat—" I didn't get to finish what I was saying because I heard a woman's moan. I stopped in my tracks. My heart started pounding; the world felt like it stopped at that moment. Was he doing something indecent while talking to me?
"Jonas," a woman said in a high-pitched voice—one I knew too well. I covered my mouth. I didn't know what to do. Fresh tears started falling down both of my cheeks. He cheated on me. Since when?
"Is that… Era?" I tried not to stutter. I knew Jonas well—he wouldn't do this. But I was wrong. I was wrong to love him and trust him so much.
"Car-Carmella…" he sounded panicked. I smiled sarcastically.
"Jo-Jonas, was that my own sister?" I laughed bitterly. Then I heard the honk of a truck. I slowly turned my head toward it. Do you know what it feels like when everything moves in slow motion? The truck was getting closer. I couldn't run. My legs were numb.
It was too late. I got hit by the truck. The impact was so strong I was thrown and rolled onto the road. I felt numb all over. I couldn't hear clearly. Blood was flowing from my head.
I heard shouting, but I couldn't really understand what people were yelling. My vision darkened… Is this the end for me? Before everything turned black, I heard the clear voice of a man shouting—
"CARMELLA!? WHAT'S HAPPENI—"
"Congratulations, you're hired as manager!"
"I told you, she's the one who stole my necklace!"
"You killed her! You killed your own mother!"
"I-I like you, Carmel… since the day I met you, you're all I think about."
"Why is it always you?! What about me?! You animal!"
"I missed you…"
Slowly, I opened my eyes because of the noise I was hearing. A strange ceiling greeted me. Where was I? Why didn't this place feel familiar? This wasn't my room! I shut my eyes again, and the memory of the accident hit me—how I got hit by a truck. The flashback made my head hurt.
"This is all my fault. If I didn't leave Princess Nathalia in the forest, she wouldn't be in a coma. She's been unconscious for weeks now, Lena. What do I do?" I looked to see who was crying. She wiped her tears. She was too beautiful to be crying.
Her hair was short, shoulder-length. Light brown. Sharp nose, red lips, black eyes. All I could say was—she looked perfect. She could be a model for a top modeling agency here or even abroad.
"Calm down, Mila. This isn't your fault. Her Royal Highness Princess Nicassia summoned you," Lena replied. What did she say? Where the heck was I? I looked around the room—it didn't look like a hospital. The room looked like something out of a Disney princess movie.
I looked at Lena. Her black hair was tied in a bun. Sharp nose, perfect jawline. Gray eyes!? Oh, maybe she's wearing contact lenses.
"PRINCESS NATHALIA! You're awake!" Mila suddenly shouted, making me jump. She ran toward me. I could see her puffy eyes—probably from crying over me.
"Thank goodness, you're awake, Princess," she said. What was she talking about? Since when was I a princess? I thought to myself—there's no princess in my name, right? Wow, I'm not even updated on my own life.
"Where am I?" I asked. Crap! Why does my voice sound like a child's? And why am I lisping?! The three of us widened our eyes at the same time. Was this… the effect of the accident?
"Princess Nathalia? What are you talking about?" Lena asked, concerned. I could tell both women were in their twenties or older. Mila started crying again. Why does she cry so much? Doesn't she run out of tears?
"Princess Nathalia, please forgive me…" What did she do? Is it because… she left Nathalia? And why were they calling me Princess Nathalia? Is that supposed to be another name for me? Impossible.
"Nawalia?" I slapped my hand over my mouth. It's Nathalia, not Nawalia! What is that, a towel? I looked at my hand—and was shocked at how small it was. I touched my face—my cheeks were round and soft. I looked at my body and almost fainted.
I had turned into a child. What the hell happened to me?! Someone please explain! My gorgeous body… gone.
"AHHHHHHH!!!!!" I screamed. I was about to get out of bed, but Mila and Lena stopped me. I wanted to get up. I couldn't accept this! No way. And on top of that, I haven't even gotten my revenge on those traitors!
Those sons of b*tches! How many bullets would it take to rip through them for what they did? But that won't happen anymore… it never will.
"Princess Nathalia, please calm down. MILA! Call the doctor, tell him Princess Nathalia is awake!" Mila nodded. She glanced at me one last time before leaving the room.
Who? Who did this to me? I didn't do anything terrible to deserve this! Why?
I couldn't believe it. This had to be a dream! Right?! I pinched my cheek, but winced in pain… this isn't a dream? Lena gently held my small hand and lowered it.
"Princess, please don't do that," she said gently. Princess? I was so confused. Why?
I fixed myself and sat up in bed. I was stunned. I found out my boyfriend—no, ex-fiancé—cheated on me with the very woman who ruined my life: Era, my god-sister. She was the reason I lost my job. She ruined my name.
Then I got hit by a truck, was thrown violently, rolled across the road. I was numb. I was bleeding. I could barely hear.
What happened to me?
Is this what they call Rebirth? Reincarnation?