Later that afternoon. The sun kissed their skin as Orm and Lingling ran along the shore, laughter echoing in the salty air. The waves chased their footprints as they played like carefree children, splashing each other before diving into the warm embrace of the ocean.
They rented a jet ski and took turns driving, Orm screaming in both excitement and terror as Lingling sped through the waves. The wind tangled their hair, their laughter blending with the roaring sea.
As the time passed, they strolled along the shore, hands intertwined. Orm pressed her head against Lingling's shoulder, her heart full.
"I want to live somewhere like this," Orm murmured dreamily. "A house near the beach, where we can watch the sunrise every morning with our coffee. Our kids playing in the sand. Our dogs chasing the waves."
Lingling squeezed her hand, forcing a smile. "That sounds perfect."
"Doesn't it?" Orm beamed. "I want two kids. A big dog, maybe a golden retriever. And I want to grow old with you." She looked up at Lingling with so much love and certainty. "Promise me we'll make it happen."
Lingling's heart clenched. She wanted nothing more than to promise her the world, but deep inside, she knewâshe only had three days left with Orm.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and kissed Orm's forehead. "I promise."
They spent the rest of the day wrapped in each other's warmth, talking about dreams, sharing soft kisses, and holding onto the fleeting moments they had left.
That night, Orm was sound asleep, her steady breathing a comfort. But Lingling was wide awake, staring at the ceiling as the weight of the day crashed over her.
The tragedy haunted her like a cruel whisper, reminding her of the inevitable.
Her chest felt tight, as if the universe was already preparing to rip Orm away from her.
Slowly, she pried Orm's arm from around her waist and slipped out of bed.
She walked toward the mini bar, grabbing the strongest liquor available.
With a glass of vodka in hand, she stepped onto the balcony. The ocean stretched endlessly before her, calm and unaware of the storm raging inside her.
She took a sip, her hands trembling.
She wanted to cryâGod, she needed to cryâbut she had spent years learning how to be strong.
Yet, no matter how hard she fought it, the tears fell.
I want that future with you, Orm. A house by the beach, our children, our dogs... I want it all.
Her grip on the glass tightened.
But I can't have it, can I?
Her shoulders shook as silent sobs wracked her body.
"What's wrong?"
Lingling froze.
She turned to find Orm standing in the doorway, hair slightly disheveled, sleep still laced in her voice.
Lingling quickly wiped her tears. "Nothing," she lied, forcing a smile. "I was just thinking about how happy I am that we're married. About our future."
Orm's expression didn't change. She walked closer, eyes filled with worry. "Baby," she said softly, "I've been patient. I know when you're lying."
Lingling looked away, but Orm cupped her face, forcing her to meet her gaze.
"Tell me what's wrong," Orm whispered. "And don't lie to me."
Lingling's lips trembled. She couldn't hold it in anymore.
The walls she had built for years crumbled, and a broken sob escaped her lips as she clung to Orm, burying her face in her chest.
Orm's arms wrapped around her immediately. "Shh, baby, talk to me."
"I'm sorry," Lingling choked out. "I'm sorry for everything. For ignoring you all those years. For neglecting you when you needed me the most."
Orm frowned, confused. "Ling, that doesn't matter anymoreâ"
"And I'm sorry..." Lingling pulled away, her eyes red and swollen. "I'm sorry that I can't save you."
Orm's breath hitched. "What are you talking about?"
Lingling fell to her knees, clutching Orm's hands as if she were pleading with fate itself.
"Please don't leave me," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'll do anything, anything, to keep you safe. I swear, I'll give up everything just don't leave me."
Orm's eyes widened, her own heart shattering at the sight of Lingling in such despair.
She knelt in front of her, holding her face gently. "Baby, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Lingling shook her head furiously. "But you will."
Orm's brows furrowed. "Ling, you're not making senseâ"
Lingling grabbed Orm's shoulders, looking at her with desperation.
"Three days from now," she said, her voice hollow, "you're going to die."
Orm's body went rigid.
"For some reason," Lingling continued, "I was given another chance. I went back six days before the accident. I tried to stop it. I tried to save you. But no matter what I did, you always ended up..."
She let out a broken sob.
"And this time," she whispered, "this is my last chance."
Orm felt like the air had been knocked out of her.
"Ling..."
"I don't know what to do," Lingling admitted, voice raw. "Every time I try, I fail. And I can't fail this time, Orm."
"I've seen it happen," she continued, voice hollow. "Four times. I keep going back, trying to change it. But no matter what I do, you alwaysâ" Her voice broke. "You always end up dead."
Orm's lips parted, but no words came out.
"This is my last chance, Orm," Lingling whispered. "If I fail this time, I lose you forever."
Orm took a shaky breath. "You're telling me... we're in some kind of time loop?"
Lingling nodded. Sobbing.
Orm didn't move, didn't blink. The waves crashed in the distance, the wind howling around them.
Then, slowly, she reached for Lingling's face, brushing away her tears.
"And you've been fighting this... alone?" Orm murmured.
Lingling let out a shuddering breath. "I didn't want you to worry."
Orm swallowed thickly. "Baby, if you knew... why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Lingling shook her head. "Because every time I tried, something always stopped me. And every time I thought I finally saved you, fate took you in a different way."
Orm cupped Lingling's face, forcing her to look at her. "Then we'll beat fate together."
Lingling's eyes widened. "What?"
Orm gave her a small, determined smile. "You've been trying to save me alone, but now I know. Now we can fight it together."
Lingling's breath hitched. "You believe me?"
Orm didn't hesitate. "Of course, I do."
Lingling let out a strangled sob, throwing her arms around Orm. Orm held her tightly, pressing kisses to her temple, whispering over and over, I'm not leaving you. I promise.
But deep inside, Lingling knew...
Fate wouldn't let her win so easily.
_____________
Lingling's entire body trembled as she clung to Orm, her breath ragged, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst. The weight of all her past failures bore down on her, the images of Orm's lifeless body flashing through her mind like a cruel, never-ending nightmare.
Orm was silent, letting Lingling sob into her shoulder, her hands rubbing soothing circles on her back. She didn't push for more answers. She just held her.
After what felt like forever, Lingling finally spoke, her voice broken and raw.
"It's not about where you are, Orm," she whispered. "It doesn't matter if you stay in Bangkok or Koh Samui or anywhere else. You always die."
Orm's arms stiffened around her.
"No matter what I change, no matter how many times I go back," Lingling continued, her voice cracking, "you always die." She pulled away just enough to look at Orm, her tear-filled eyes pleading for somethingâanythingâthat could give her hope. "It's not a car accident, it's not someone trying to hurt you. It's just... fate."
Orm exhaled sharply, searching Lingling's face as if trying to find any hint of deception. But there was none. Only raw, unfiltered pain.
"So you're saying..." Orm's voice was careful, deliberate, "that my death is already decided? That no matter what we do, I have to die?"
Lingling let out a strangled sob. She couldn't answer. Because if she said it out loud, it would feel too real.
Orm cupped her face gently, forcing Lingling to meet her eyes. "Then we change fate."
Lingling let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "I've triedâ"
"Not with me," Orm cut in, her grip firm. "You've been doing this alone, haven't you?"
Lingling hesitated, then nodded weakly.
"Then this time, we do it together." Orm's voice was unwavering, filled with a determination Lingling hadn't heard before.
Lingling wanted to believe her. She needed to believe her.
But how could they fight something as powerful as fate?
"I don't know how," Lingling admitted.
Orm took her hands, squeezing them tightly. "Then let's figure it out. Together."
Lingling stared at her, her heart twisting painfully. Orm had no idea what she was up against. But she wasn't going to let go.
And for the first time in all the loops, Lingling allowed herself to hope.