Chapter 10
Back to the Past: Breaking the Love Spell
âSarah, did you hear that? Did Carlisle really just call her that? Sienna asked with wide eyes. Wasnât
such a term overly intimate?
The current generation of high school kids tended to be on the conservative side. Any sudden terms of
endearment would cause people to overthink.
Hence, Carlisleâs words had shocked Wanda and Sienna
âSo what? He called me that before!â Sarah said as she pretended hard to be nonchalant. There was
still hint of anxiousness in her gaze.
Not only did Carlisle refuse the Coke she had bought for him, but he also rejected her invitation to play
badminton together.
Sarah was worried that Carlisle would give up pursuing her as she would be humiliated if that
happened. Meanwhile, Wanda moved to sit under the shade as she watched Carlisle play basketball.
There was a conflicted expression on her flushed face.
Carlisle was skilled, so his opponent had no chance to score.
Wanda watched him happily.
After some time, Carlisle walked toward her. He sounded slightly breathless as he asked, âWhat do you
think? Did I dazzle you?â
âWhat?â
Wanda blushed as she looked up at Carlisle and quickly looked back down after meeting his gaze. Her
voice was soft as she said, âYou were stunning.â
Carlisle was around five feet eight. His short hair and distinct facial features paired well with the sharp
look in his eyes. However, the mature look in his eyes did not match his age.
âI think so too!â Carlisle laughed cheekily as he complimented himself.
âYouâre such a narcissist!â Wanda said as she turned to head back to the school building.
âHey, Wanda, do you want to play a game of badminton? Carlisle shouted behind her.
Why did his tone sound so endearing?
Wandaâs face flushed red as she quickened her steps.
Later, Carlisle went to the lockers to change into some clean clothes before returning to their
classroom.
He wanted to revise for his SATS with Wanda.
Just as the two of them were focused on their revision, a girl in a ponytail came over and stood before
Wandaâs desk.
âWanda, could you explain one of the questions in our chemistry homework? The girlâs voice was soft
as she looked at Wanda nervously
âOf course,â Wanda said as she looked up and smiled.
Carlisle also looked up.
Immediately, his eyes widened in shock
The girl before him was Christine Goodman. She was one of the students in their class whose families
were financially challenged.
On the day of their SAT exams, a taxi driver assaulted her. She was disfigured by the time the cops
had found her. Besides, the cops also found the DNAs of around seven to eight men within her body.
Christineâs family had spent all their fortune to find justice for her.
Unfortunately, their hopes were in vain, as the perpetrators were never caught.
Carlisleâs breath became labored as he tightened his grip around his pen. His grip was so tight that
even his fingers had turned white.
âCarlisle, you should move and let Christine sit here.â
Wanda turned to look at Carlisle and noticed that his expression was tense. She assumed he didnât
want to move, so she turned back to Wanda and said, âLetâs go over there and sit by the window!â
Christine nodded gently.
Carlisle quickly got up and said, âItâs alright. You can sit here!â
âThank you.â Christine smiled as her cheeks turned red.
Carlisle took a deep breath and glanced at Christine before finding an empty seat by the windows.
Now that he was reborn, some things in life would probably change. But there were still many things
that
were bound to happen.
It was highly likely that tragedy would befall Christine again.
Carlisle took a deep breath and decided that he would save Christine.
Perhaps that was the true meaning behind his new chance at life.
After listening to Wandaâs patient explanation, Christine finally understood the problem. âThank you,
Wanda, I finally got it.â
Wanda smiled sweetly. âNo worries. You can come to me if you ever need help with your studies!â
âAlright!â Christine nodded. Tears began to flood her eyes as she became emotional.
Due to her poor family background and her meek personality, she rarely had the opportunity to interact
with her classmates. And only a few of them were willing to talk to her.
She noticed Wanda had been patiently tutoring Carlisle for the past two days. So, she gathered all of
her
courage to ask Wanda for help. She never thought Wanda would agree to her request.
âChristine.â Carlisle held his books in his arms as he returned to his seat.
âYes?â
Christine looked at Carlisle shyly. âCarlisle, thanks for
otten to have your sa
Carlisle had offered his seat to her, and Wanda had explained her chemistry question to her. She was
overjoyed as it was her first time experiencing kindness from her classmates.
âWhy donât you stay in the schoolâs dorms?â Carlisle asked.
Christine lived quite a distance away from school. Thus, she had to take a taxi to school for their SAT.
She could have avoided the upcoming tragedy if she had moved into the school dorms.
âMy parents are working in another city, and my grandma is paralyzed after suffering from a stroke. I
need to take care of my grandma,â Christine explained softly.
âThen who takes care of your grandma when youâre in school?â Wanda asked with a frown.
âMy neighbors are kind enough to help care for my grandma when Iâm at school. However, Iâm the only
one who can care for my grandma at night!â
Suddenly, the bell rang. School was over for the day.
âWanda, Carlisle, thank you both. I need to go home and cook for my grandmother now,â Christine said
as she left in a hurry.
Wanda exclaimed, âNo wonder Christine is so frugal. She doesnât even use public transport on most
days!â
Carlisle played with the pen in his hands as he began to think.
Christine had a paralyzed grandmother who needed her care. So, she couldnât stay in the schoolâs
dorms.
It would also be expensive for her to stay in the dorms of an established high school.
âCarlisle, could you send me home?â Wanda asked suddenly after collecting her things.
âSure. However, you have to buy me another Coke!â Carlisle said with a smile as he twirled the pen in
his
hands.
âI thought youâre not a fan of drinking Coke?â
âIt depends on whoâs giving it to me!â
âIsnât that the same thing?â
âHow can it be the same? Alright, thatâs enough. Letâs get going.â
Carlisle slung his beg around his shoulders and slipped a hand into his pockets.
Wanda pushed her glasses up and smiled.
A redâcolored 1996 Santana was parked at the entrance of the Franklin Complex.
Gordon stood straight in his white collared shirt with its hem tucked into the waist. He matched his outfit
with a pair of shiny leather shoes.
Hilda had just returned from the market with a basket full of goods. She paused in her tracks after
spotting Gordon,
âHey, look, Hilda. Did your husband just get a promotion and a raise?â
Hildaâs neighbor, Havl
Woods, asked as she tried to hide her smile.
Hildaâs lips twitched as she said, âAs if. Itâs good enough that heâs been able to keep his job. How could
he possibly get a promotion?â
âIs today the day of your marriage anniversary?â Hayley guessed again.
âStop overthinking things. Gordonâs brother is coming over to visit!â Hilda explained with a smile.
âNo wonder you bought so many groceries! Oh, my daughter is about to finish school. I need to go and
fetch her.
âCould you help me bring these back?â Hayley asked as she stuffed her groceries into Hildaâs hands.
Hilda then headed toward Gordon with all kinds of differentâsized grocery bags with a disdainful
expression. âYouâre making a fool of yourself by doing so much for your pride.â
Gordon smiled bitterly and said, âItâs not like you donât understand Gerardâs personality. Heâll definitely
humiliate us if we donât do anything. We can handle it, but we need to think about our son too.â
âMom, Dad, Iâm home!â Carlisle said as he parked his bicycle next to the Santana.
His expression immediately changed when he noticed the car. The fact that his dad had borrowed the
Santana meant that he was about to head to the airport to pick up Gerard and his family.
The 1996 Santana cost around 200 thousand dollars. Its cost was equivalent to a Land Rover in the
future.
âGo back with your mom to prepare the food. Iâll go to the airport to pick up your uncle!â
Gordon patted Carlisleâs back before getting in the driverâs seat and starting the engine.
Travis sighed in his heart as he watched the Santana disappear into the distance.
In his past life, he had failed to provide his parents with a better life as he had given up on his studies
to
pursue Sarah.
In this life, he would definitely work hard to repay his parents.
After they reached home, Hidla headed straight to the kitchen. âCarlisle, help me clean the house up!â
âCleaning the house wonât change a thing,â Carlisle murmured under his breath.
âWhat did you say?â
âNothing!â
Carlisle picked up the broom and began to sweep the house,
His uncle had also visited them in his past life. He had cleaned the house spotless, yet his aunt still
regarded the house as filthy.
Gerard and his family werenât here to check in on them. In truth, their family had just made a small
fortune
and wanted to come here to gloat.