A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel Chapter 274

But, he literally put her in the crematorium with his own two hands! How on earth was she standing in front of him, not even a hair out of place?

He's not sure if she's the real deal or what, but as his fingers brushed her back, he could feel her warmth - like, she's legit here in the flesh!

His hands were shaking as he helped Eleanor, who's bawling her eyes out on his lap, sit up. He cupped her face with both hands and took a good look.

Despite the passing of three years, she appeared remarkably unchanged, or rather, even more radiant, as if a newfound vitality had graced her cheeks.

It's like she's kissed goodbye to being sick and miserable. The girl was like a phoenix, reborn.

Seeing her like this, he whispered, "Eleanor."

Eleanor looked up at him, and through the waterworks, a smile started creeping on her face. She's like, "I'm here."

Yeah, she's here. She's been here all along.

Garett, with a gentle look, couldn't help but crack a smile. He's like, "Good thing I listened to you."

Eleanor's confused, like, "What'd you say?"

Garett's taken aback, realizing she must've forgotten what she once told him. But, it's all good – as long as he remembered.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in like he's hugging the life out of her.

Whispering in her ear, he's like, "Eleanor, this time, I didn't forget you."

He's been thinking about her non-stop, her face etched into his brain.

Even if his memory got a bit hazy, he couldn't risk forgetting her.

Because she made him pinky promise to remember her in the next life.

Eleanor, who just stopped crying, started the waterworks all over again. She's like, "Garett, I'm sorry."

Garett's love for her was immeasurable, making it all the more difficult for him to comprehend her desire to explore a connection with someone else before her time ran out. It must have devastated him completely.

Garett just held her, telling her over and over again, "Eleanor, you've got nothing to be sorry for."

Eleanor nodded, but her eyes started to fill with sadness. "My sis gave me her heart to save me."

Garett's just standing there, not quite catching on, but he sensed bad vibes, so he didn't press.

Eleanor saw his reaction, dialed back the sadness, and started giving him the lowdown, gentle as ever.

Garett listened and his eyes get all stormy, like he's shook by how messed up her story is...

Eleanor looks up at him, "Garett, do you wanna know what my sis looked like?"

He nodded, "Got a pic?"

Eleanor shook her head, then pointed at her short hair and red dress. She's like, "My sis looked a lot like me. Seeing me is like seeing her. 'Cause her heart's in me now. I'm kinda like her double."

Garett's face was all tender as he touched her hair. "Eleanor, your sis would want you to be you, not her."

Eleanor paused, a lightbulb moment. Her sister's heart was given for her to live, not clone. But now, she felt tied down by Ethan Ziegler.