Damian left after getting the confirmation he wanted from me, looking completely satisfied. As soon as he was gone, I felt utterly drained and exhausted.

Back then, to support his college education, I endured countless hardships. I even moved to the city just to be closer to his school, taking a job washing dishes nearby to earn a bit of extra money. When I handed him the money in person, he bluntly told me not to show up again, claiming I would distract him from his studies. So, I stayed away, mailing him the money whenever I had saved enough.

The rent in the city was high, and I hardly had any money left for myself. I had no choice but to share a large house on the outskirts with several other women who had also come to the city for work. My daily commute on foot took two hours, but I couldn’t justify spending money on bus fare. I constantly thought that every penny I saved spared Damian from additional hardship.

I believed that once he became successful, I’d finally get to enjoy a good life. That conviction was my strength for four long years. When he finally graduated, I heard he had landed a job at a newspaper. I was full of hope, waiting for him to come and marry me. But then came the shocking news — he was getting married, and his bride was the daughter of the newspaper director.

It felt as if my world had crashed down. I went to his wedding, causing a scene and breaking anything I could find. In response, he had someone throw ten dollars at me, telling me to go back to where I came from. I stared at that flimsy ten-dollar bill, feeling the world spinning around me. Over the past four years, his tuition alone had cost me over eight hundred dollars. On top of that, he insisted on living well, so he wouldn’t be looked down upon by his peers. After all those years of sacrifice, all I got was a measly ten-dollar bill.

He had sworn on everything that he’d marry me as soon as he graduated, even convincing me to give him my most precious first time. Remembering how foolishly I had trusted him, my nose tingled, and I couldn’t stop the tears. How could I have been so naive for a man? I must have been asking for it.

I wiped away my tears and pulled out a few books from the cabinet. In my past, I had gone to the city to buy him several study guides for college entrance exams, planning to give them to him on his birthday. But now, such a gift was pointless. I washed my hands and sat down to read through the books.

The material wasn’t unfamiliar to me. In my previous life, I feared growing too distant from Damian once he graduated. So, after work, I would hide under the covers, nibbling on dinner rolls and studying. When I came across something I didn’t understand, I would wait for a break from washing dishes to ask the college students working part-time at the café. They were always enthusiastic, patiently explaining whatever I asked.

At the time, I thought that when Damian and I eventually got married, he’d be pleasantly surprised to find out I wasn’t just an uneducated country girl. But now, I am grateful for the efforts of my past self. Although I died once, it laid a path for my new life.

I borrowed a bicycle from Iyla Richardson and rode all the way to the town's high school.

Mr. Torres, our homeroom teacher, was in the middle of tidying up the classroom. He nearly jumped when he saw me.

"Zendaya Ellis, didn't you drop out? Did you leave something behind?"

In my previous life, I chose to drop out to support Damian Reed's education. Actually, my grades were quite good, even better than Damian's. However, during that time, it was common for many girls not to continue their education past high school. Supporting boyfriends' studies was a common practice, and even more girls went to work to help their younger siblings.

Mr. Torres felt quite sorry about my decision to drop out. There were already few girls in the class, and I had been one of the top students. When he heard I was leaving to support my boyfriend's education, he sighed several times but ultimately said nothing. He just signed the withdrawal form.

Now, hearing the surprise and joy in his voice, I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Mr. Torres, is it possible for me to change my mind and stay in school?"

I had just submitted the withdrawal application yesterday. If he hadn't yet submitted it, I could continue studying without even needing to retract it. I'm two years younger than Damian, currently in my first year of high school. If I re-enroll, I still have more than two years before the college entrance exams—there's still time for everything!

I looked at Mr. Torres expectantly and saw his face light up with excitement. With trembling hands, he pulled the crumpled application form from his pocket.

"I haven't handed it in yet. Are you sure about this? Once we move forward, there's no turning back."

"I'm sure!"

I eagerly took the paper and tore it in half, tossing it into the wastebasket. I had thought it through—tuition at the Teacher's College is fully covered, and it's not far from where we live. It's the perfect fit for me.

In my past life, Damian attended the university across from the Teacher's College. This time around, I want to see if he can manage just fine without me.