My boyfriend got into Oxford, but he decided to repeat a year of high school instead. I encouraged him to pursue his studies at Oxford. Later, we both went abroad for our master's degrees and came back to start a successful and happy life. But then, after his high school sweetheart was beaten to death by her husband, he ended up killing me.

"It's all your fault, Gabrielle, for pushing me to go to Oxford."

"If I had stayed back with Adrianna, she would have married me, and she wouldn’t have suffered from the abuse."

So, she was his true love all along. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back at the time right after the college entrance exams.

"Gabrielle, I'm thinking about repeating the year."

"Go ahead."

==============================

Luca was pleased to hear my support. "Adrianna is going to repeat the year too. With my scores, I can request to be in the same class as her. There shouldn't be any issue."

I nodded in agreement. After all, a top score was quite impressive. Luca muttered to himself, “So it’s settled.”

Then he suggested, “How about we catch a movie later?”

“No, thanks,” I replied, holding his gaze, because there was something else I needed to say. “Luca, let’s break up.”

“…”

Luca was stunned for a couple of seconds, but then he regained his composure, hiding any emotion with a cool indifference, “Fine, let’s break up.”

“It’s just as well. I wasn’t keen on a long-distance relationship anyway; we would have split eventually.”

I nodded and turned to leave.

In my previous life, when Luca Stone was contemplating resuming his studies, I did everything I could to convince him to go to Oxford for his education. Together, we crossed through Oxford’s grand gates, continuing to learn and strengthen our relationship. After graduation, we decided on Columbia for our postgraduate studies.

Once we completed our studies and returned home, Luca and I launched a business venture. In just two years, our company became profitable. Eventually, we took the company public, got married, and started planning for a family.

But everything changed when Luca heard that Adrianna Sullivan, the high school beauty, had died due to domestic violence. He vanished for three days, and no one could find him. Upon his return, he attacked me in a rage and ultimately stabbed me in the heart.

"It's all your fault, convincing me to go to Oxford," he accused. "If I’d stayed back with Adrianna, she would have married me, and she wouldn't have suffered."

I finally understood. Adrianna was the one he truly loved all along.

So now, in this life, I won't persuade him. Let him retake his studies, let him be with Adrianna. I wish them a future where they marry and live happily ever after.

Upon arriving home, I tidied up my acceptance letter from Oxford and began planning what I would need to pack for the start of term. I intended to go shopping for supplies in a few days.

The next day, while browsing through my Instagram, I stumbled upon Adrianna’s big announcement.

Adrianna: I’ve always been called the prom queen, so... the prom queen has found her match with the valedictorian.

The post featured two pictures: one of them holding hands, and another of Luca kissing Adrianna on the cheek. Since we shared many friends, the comments began pouring in.

“What a perfect match!”

“Congrats, Adrianna! Wishing you loads of happiness!”

“Congrats to the prom queen and the valedictorian! When’s the celebration dinner?”

Before I could finish reading the comments, a message popped up from my desk-mate, Abigail.

“So, when did you and Luca break up?”

Abigail and I had a great friendship, being both desk mates and close confidants. She knew pretty much everything about me.

“Yesterday,” I replied.

She quickly messaged back, “Luca moved on fast.”

I chuckled to myself and didn’t engage further. Frankly, Luca and Adrianna had been classmates since freshman year, and there had always been rumors about them. But during our sophomore year, those rumors were overshadowed when the star athlete publicly announced he was dating Adrianna.

Previously, Luca and I got together during the summer before junior year. It all began during gym class when he shielded me from a rogue basketball. Standing there in the sunlight, he looked so handsome. That was the moment I felt a spark and developed a crush on him.

That summer, our classmates invited me on a hiking trip. To my surprise, Luca was there, and during the descent, he found a moment to confess his feelings to me. My silent crush turned into reality, and I accepted with happiness.

As we took on the challenges of senior year, our relationship was straightforward. We studied together and supported each other with homework, making a pact to apply to Oxford.

In the end, we both got in.

During the summer following our final exams, Adrianna met up with Luca several times. Luca mentioned it to me, claiming it was just casual meals with classmates and that others might join. I was naive and didn’t give it much thought.

Reflecting on it now, it was probably more than just friendly meals.

But none of that matters to me now. In this life, Luca's affairs are no longer my concern, and I have no desire to be involved with him.

After a brief pause in my conversation with Abigail, she messaged again.

“I’m planning to retake the year.”

She continued, “I discussed it with my parents last night. I don’t want to settle for a second-tier university; I want to try again.”

In the past, Abigail also retook the year and got into Cambridge. During the first weekend after her enrollment, Luca and I took her out for a celebratory dinner in London.

Now, faced with the same choice, I'm completely behind her decision.

“Yes, definitely go for it and aim for your dream school.”

Cambridge was her dream institution.

“I will. I have to get into Cambridge. Wait for me in London.”

“Of course.”

After finishing our chat, I decided not to check Adrianna's Instagram anymore and chose to unfollow her. After breaking up with Luca yesterday, I already removed all his contact details, but hadn't considered Adrianna's social media.

While opening her profile to unfollow, a message notification from Adrianna came through. I was taken aback and opened it.

More messages quickly followed.

“Gabrielle, did you see my Instagram post?”

“Honestly, I’ve liked Luca for a long time, since our freshman year.”

“We’re finally together now, and I’m thrilled.”

“Since you and Luca have broken up, I hope you won’t bother him anymore. We’re planning to retake the year and apply to Stanford together next year.”

Was this her way of flaunting or warning me? I felt no emotion about it.

I smiled faintly and chose to reply.

“Best wishes for both of you at Stanford.”

In this lifetime, may they stay wrapped up in their own world.

Logging out of the chat, I unfollowed Adrianna.