Reborn by Flipping Coin

melancholic feeling

A girl stands in a blue dress. Her hair is as black as ebony.

She stands inside a house. A few years ago, she could have called it her home, but now it feels like nothing more than a cage—a prison where she is merely surviving.

She feels as though every bit of happiness in her life disappeared the day her husband was gone.

Her name is Rosaline.

The man who was her whole world is no longer here to comfort her when she cries, when she gets hurt, or when she screams in despair.

She no longer wants to live. But she has to take care of her aging parents... and his aging parents as well. She cannot take her own life because her husband always wanted her to grow old, stay happy, and live a peaceful, blissful life.

He wanted her to water the plants they had planted together. He wanted her to curl up on the couch with her favorite book while he made coffee for her. She would take a sip, smile, and say,

"Hmm... it's wonderful. You always make the best coffee."

But now...

Everything feels meaningless.

She doesn't know what to do anymore.

Suddenly...

She hears footsteps.

They sound strange.

Different.

They don't sound like ordinary human footsteps. Somehow, they are both incredibly heavy and unbelievably light at the same time.

Rosaline freezes.

Who could possibly be here at this hour?

She slowly turns her head toward the door.

A wave of fear washes over her.

Is someone trying to rob me? Or... are they here to hurt me?

She is completely alone in the house, and everyone in the neighborhood knows it.

It's midnight.

There is no one to help her.

Gathering every ounce of courage she has left, Rosaline quietly grabs a heavy object to defend herself if necessary. She begins walking toward the sound as silently as possible.

Then she notices her slippers.

They'll make noise.

She slips them off and continues barefoot toward the next room, where the footsteps seem to be coming from.

Her heartbeat grows louder with every step.

She takes a deep breath and slowly peeks inside.

What is that sound...?

She's terrified.

Then...

She sees someone standing near the window.

The stranger is facing a framed photograph of her and her husband.

In the picture, they are smiling brightly.

It was taken three years ago during a trip to a wildlife sanctuary. They had spent the entire day taking photographs of animals, forests, and beautiful scenery. Exploring nature had always been their favorite hobby.

Rosaline tightens her grip on the object in her hand.

"Who are you?"

The man slowly turns toward her.

He smiles.

"Rest assured," he says calmly. "I mean you no harm."

"Then what are you doing in my house?"

"I'm here to meet you."

"At midnight? Are you here to meet me... or to hurt me? Who are you?"

She studies him carefully.

His clothes are elegant and perfectly tailored. Every crease is neat. Every button is fastened perfectly. His expensive watch gleams under the moonlight. His hair is perfectly styled, and despite looking like he is in his thirties, he carries himself with an unusual maturity.

He is undeniably handsome.

The man smiles again.

"Do you want to meet him?"

"...Meet whom?" Rosaline asks.

Fear begins creeping back into her heart.

Maybe he's playing some cruel joke... or maybe he's a drunk trying to deceive me.

As if reading her thoughts, he says,

"Don't worry. Don't think such foolish things about me."

He reaches into his coat and carefully opens a small, elegant box.

Inside rests a single golden coin.

Rosaline stares at it.

"What is this?"