I got into an elite college with my boyfriend, Philip Jewitt—and tossed my acceptance letter in the trash.

His mom was dying. He stood in front of me, eyes red. "Stella, she doesn't have time... If she finds out I dropped out to pay for her treatment, it'll destroy her. Please. Help me. I swear I'll treat you right for the rest of my life."

Philip got four perfect years on campus.

I scraped by, working three jobs.

I paid his tuition. Covered his mom's bills.

After graduation, he needed startup money. I convinced my parents to mortgage our house.

When his company went public, he proposed in front of everyone.

I thought all those years finally meant something.

But then he heard his one-sided love, Winnie Schell, died in a car crash. He got drunk and shoved me to the floor.

"Why wasn't it you? If I didn't feel guilty about you, I would've married her."

I clutched my stomach, pregnant, begging through tears.

He sneered. "You owe Winnie everything. You really think you deserve my kid?"

Then he kicked me—hard—right in the stomach.

Pain ripped through me. Blood pooled between my legs. My vision went dark.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back—one hour before the college application deadline.

The second I realized I was back, I opened my laptop and changed my application.

Last time, after the SATs, I made it official with Philip and applied to the same school in Crestport.

This time, I picked the school I actually wanted—in Borevia City, the capital.

After I hit submit, I checked my phone. Philip had posted five minutes ago.

[Maybe Heaven gave me another shot to see you. This time, I won't let go.]

The photo showed him and Winnie, leaning together, fingers laced.

I stared at it and let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

So he came back too.

And the first thing he did? Confess to his childhood friend.

Fine. This time, he can have whatever he wants.

I'd just shut my laptop when my phone rang.

Philip.

"Stella, my mom's sick. I need money. Now. Lend me some."

I froze. "Why should I?"

He sounded so sure of himself. "Relax. I'll write you an IOU. I'll pay you back after I graduate."

"No money."

Silence—then he laughed.

"Stella Spencer, you're my girlfriend, and you're this petty? If you don't help me, I'll have to drop out and work. You okay with that?"

"What does that have to do with me? I said I don't have money."

"Fine! Then we're done!"

I hung up and blocked him.

What a joke.

He'd already gone public with Winnie—and still tried to threaten me with a breakup.

In a blink, it was the day the admission letters arrived.

Our class rep set up one last dinner before everyone left for college.

Philip walked in holding Winnie's hand. The room lit up with cheers.

"Nice! Got a girlfriend right after the SATs? So—you guys going to the same school?"

Winnie wasn't in our top class. Last time, she ended up at an average college in Greyford.

Philip ruffled her hair. "Winnie's grades aren't great, so I'm staying local for her."

Then he shot me a look.

The guys instantly got hyped.

"Damn, that's real love."

"Wasn't that elite school in Crestport your dream? You're really giving it up?"

"Yeah, nothing here even compares."

Winnie's eyes went red. "Philip, did I hold you back? Is this all because of me..."

Tears slid down her pale cheeks. Philip panicked.

"Hey, don't cry. You're what matters most. Being with you? That's more than I could ever ask for. I should be thanking Heaven. How could you hold me back?"

It sounded sincere. The whole room ate it up.

Winnie finally smiled through her tears.

Right then, Philip's friend Ronnie cut in. "Weren't you with Stella after the SATs? When did Winnie become your girlfriend?"

I was reaching for food when all eyes snapped to me.

After the SATs, most people were traveling. Not many knew about us.

Ronnie kept going, like my silence didn't matter. "Didn't you both apply to the same school in Crestport? It's been, what—a few days? You already broke up?"

"Oooh—"

A few guys whistled.

"Philip, man, you've got game."

Philip smirked. "I heard Stella had a thing for me, but we were never actually together."

Unbelievable.

Molly, who knew everything, snapped. "Can you not? Stella got into a school in Borevia City. She never applied to Crestport—and she never liked you."

Philip's face dropped. "Stella, is that true?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Sorry for the mix-up. I never applied to the same school as Philip, and I don't like him."

"Stella!" His jaw tightened. "You really think that's funny? Saying that in front of everyone?"

He stepped in and grabbed my wrist—hard, like he wanted to crush it.

"Come with me."

"What are you doing?!" I struggled, but couldn't break free. "Everyone's watching—including your girlfriend. Say it here. No need for drama."

"Yeah, Philip, what's going on with you and Stella?"

Winnie looked at him, eyes full of hurt.

Philip glanced at her, hesitated—but didn't let go.

"Winnie, don't get the wrong idea. Stella and I just have something to sort out."

Philip dragged me outside.

"Stella, I know you can't handle me being with Winnie. You said you applied to a school in Borevia City just to get back at me. But being petty won't fix anything. My mom needs money now. If you care about me, lend it."

I didn't think he could be this shameless.

"We're classmates. What does your mom being sick have to do with me? Ask your relatives. Or your girlfriend. Why me? I don't have money."

Last time, at this exact dinner, Philip got drunk and said he'd drop out to pay for his mom Margaret's treatment.

But when I got him home, he broke down and asked for money.

I couldn't stand seeing him like that. I handed him my bank card.

Three years of prize money. Cash gifts from relatives for getting into college.

Almost twenty-five grand. Enough to cover a year of treatment.

He took it and pulled me into a hug, overwhelmed.

A few days later, he cried again—this time asking me to give up college.

"Stella, my mom's treatment costs money. We can't touch the savings. You'll have to work and pay my tuition. I swear I'll never betray you."

I was blinded. I hid it from my parents, tossed my acceptance letter, and worked three jobs to put him through school.

He got used to it.

So this time, when I said no, it threw him.

He stared at me, searching. "You came back too, didn't you?"

"Yes." I nodded, leaning in close. "Scared? You killed my child."

His hand snapped to my throat. His eyes went cold with hate.

"You bitch. So you came back too." His grip tightened. "Last time, you tore me and Winnie apart. If not for you, she wouldn't have died. You owe us. So this time, you're giving me the money."