Chapter 2
The next morning, I was woken by the sound of cardboard boxes scraping across the living room floor.
When I walked out, a few movers were hauling boxes back and forth, all labeled the same: Ryan Bennett, Personal Belongings.
Evelyn stood in the middle of the room, directing them upstairs.
“That one goes in the master bedroom.”
She noticed me, her tone so natural you’d think yesterday never happened. “Ryan’s not doing well. The doctor said keeping his spirits up helps with the treatment. I don’t feel comfortable leaving him alone, so I’m having him move in.”
I paused. “Where’s he staying?”
“Master bedroom.” She frowned. “It’s bigger, better light—makes it easier for me to take care of him.”
“And me?”
“Guest room.” Like it was obvious. “You’re always in the study anyway. Besides, Ryan needs looking after now. You’re a grown man—does it really matter where you sleep?”
A year ago, I’d have been furious.
But now, I just nodded. “Fine.”
She froze, clearly not expecting me to let it go that easily.
I didn’t explain. I just turned and walked into the study.
This room—this was where I’d spent the most time over the past ten years. Shelves packed with everything I’d collected: finance, industry, commerce, mechanics, communications—and decades of future development data.
When I first got here, I studied all of this because I was terrified that one day I’d be sent back empty-handed.
Turns out, those ten years weren’t wasted.
The system couldn’t let me take phones, cash, or any physical modern items. But it could store a certain amount of information.
So from the moment that countdown started, I knew exactly what mattered.
Love. The wedding. Whether Evelyn still loved me. None of it.
What mattered was that in two days, I’d be back at the height of the royal family.
And with everything I’d learned in this decade—I’d push the House of Windsor to the top again.
“Alex.” Evelyn walked into the study. “Ryan’s moving in this afternoon.”
“I know.”
She hesitated. “You’re really okay with this?”
I kept sorting my papers. “Ryan needs a home. You want to give him one. So give it.”
She stared at me a long time, searching for anger, frustration, something. Disappointed her—she found nothing.
Finally, she left me with: “You better actually mean that.”
The door clicked shut.
[Remaining Time: 46:32:17]
I smiled.
Forty-six hours from now, whether this house had a place for me or not—it wouldn’t matter.
By afternoon, Ryan was officially moved in.
He sat on the sofa, Evelyn beside him pouring water, her expression tender as if she were already his wife.
“Alex, I really appreciate this.” Ryan looked at me, his mouth forming the words sorry, but his eyes holding all the triumph. “This was supposed to be you and Evelyn’s new home.”
I didn’t respond. Just tucked my sorted materials under my arm and headed for the study.
Evelyn frowned. “What are you packing?”
“My things.”
Ryan let out a low laugh. “Alex, you’re not actually planning to leave, are you? What, going back to the past again?”
The room went quiet.
Evelyn’s face turned cold. “Enough. Stop with that nonsense.”
I looked at her.
I told her I came from old London.
I told her about the House of Windsor. About who I used to be.
She never believed a word.
To her, it was just some lie a homeless drifter made up to sound interesting.
Ryan let out a dramatic sigh.
“Look, if me being here makes Alex uncomfortable—I’ll go.”
