A Life Altered

Ten years of marriage had passed like a dream for me and Jia. We met in high school, under circumstances that I would never forget. I had been walking home from the library when I heard her screams. Rushing towards the sound, I found Jia being chased by a pack of coyotes. Without hesitation, I jumped into action, fighting off the wild animals and saving her life. That moment marked the beginning of our love story. We exchanged numbers, started dating, and eventually got married. Our decade-long marriage had been filled with laughter, adventures, and a deep love for each other. As I sat on the couch, watching Jia cook dinner in the kitchen, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the life we had built together. Our home was warm and cozy, filled with memories of our past. I thought back to our high school days, our friends, and our family. Everything seemed perfect. Just then, the doorbell rang. It was Marcus, a long-term friend of mine. We had grown up together, exploring our town and sharing our deepest secrets. Marcus was a bit of an oddball, always fascinated by the supernatural and the unknown. He had a collection of strange artifacts that he claimed held magical powers. "Hey, man! What's up?" Marcus asked, as he walked into our home. "Not much, just enjoying a quiet evening with Jia," I replied. Marcus's eyes scanned the room, taking in the warm atmosphere. He smiled, and I could sense a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "I've been working on something," Marcus said, as he pulled out a small, intricately carved box from his pocket. "I think you should see this." I raised an eyebrow, curious about what he had in the box. Jia walked into the room, wiping her hands on a towel. "Hey, Marcus! What brings you here?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with friendliness. Marcus's gaze locked onto Jia, and for a moment, I sensed a strange intensity in his eyes. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time. "I've been working on a little project," Marcus said, his voice low and mysterious. "Something that I think will change everything." As he opened the box, a soft glow emanated from it. Jia and I exchanged a curious glance. "What is that?" I asked, feeling a sense of unease. Marcus smiled, and his eyes seemed to gleam with an otherworldly energy. "This is a temporal artifact," he explained. "With this, I can change the past." Jia's eyes widened in surprise, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "What are you talking about, Marcus?" I asked, my voice firm. Marcus's gaze locked onto Jia, and I could sense a deep longing in his eyes. "I can change the course of history," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "I can be the one who saves Jia from the coyotes. I can be the one she falls in love with." As Marcus spoke, the room seemed to spin around me. I felt like I was losing my grip on reality. "Marcus, no," I said, my voice shaking with fear. "You can't do that. You can't change the past." But Marcus just smiled, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Watch me," he said, as he raised the artifact and focused his energy on it. The room began to blur, and I felt a strange sensation wash over me. When my vision cleared, I saw Jia standing in front of Marcus, her eyes filled with adoration. "Marcus, I don't understand," Jia said, her voice filled with confusion. "I thought... I thought it was Alex who saved me." Marcus smiled, his eyes filled with triumph. "You're mistaken, my love," he said, taking her hand in his. "I was the one who saved you. And now, I'm the one you'll marry." As I watched, frozen in shock, Marcus and Jia shared a kiss. I realized that my life, and Jia's, were about to change in ways I could never have imagined.