The day after I rejected Simon, the news spread across the entire campus.

And the fact that I'd immediately gotten together with the unattainable heartthrob from the neighboring department.

Both events were enough to crash the campus forum for three days.

I happily browsed the forum, then pointed at one comment to Eric. "Look, look, how many people are saying that compared to Simon, I'm even less worthy of you. Where am I not worthy?"

"Why?" Eric lifted his eyes.

"What do you mean 'why'?"

"Being with Simon was all you ever wanted, wasn't it?"

Yeah!

I leaned against the backrest, looking at Eric's serious and slightly tense face, and felt an urge to tease him.

"You're right. Maybe I should go tell Simon I changed my mind, that I still want to be with him."

Watching Eric's face darken as he stood up to leave, I quickly put on a smile. "Alright, alright, I was just joking. I like you. I like you best. You're my sweet little darling."

Eric's face flushed bright red instantly. He couldn't get a word out for the longest time.

After I died, I watched with the Grim Reaper as Eric stood before my tombstone, full of devotion. He never married. In the end, he died beside my grave, right next to me.

The Grim Reaper poked my head, saying I was blind to what was right in front of me, that I deserved to be killed by that scumbag and bitch.

When I got home, Grace came out of her room.

She's my twin sister. I supposedly absorbed her nutrients in the womb, leaving her frail, so our parents always favored her.

I hated her, not just because of our parents' bias, but also because of her spitefulness.

"Simon confessed to you? Done being his bootlicker?"

"Since you clearly know Simon confessed, you should also know I'm with Eric now," I said with a smile. "As everyone knows, Eric is a thousand times, ten thousand times better than Simon. Why would I choose damaged goods?"

Grace was furious. "You know perfectly well I like Eric."

"Yeah, I know," I nodded, spreading my hands. "But so what? You liking Eric has nothing to do with me."

Grace turned deathly pale. I almost thought she'd keel over from anger the next second.

She smashed a glass violently on the floor, bringing our parents running.

True to form, they arrived, saw Grace red-eyed, and were immediately heartbroken.

"What's wrong, my precious?"

"Mom, how could Zoe do this? She stole the person I like!"

Mom turned to me, not even asking for my side. "Zoe, how could you steal your sister's boyfriend?"

"He's not her boyfriend."

"Even if he isn't yet, you shouldn't compete with your sister! Your sister has always been delicate. Don't you know you should give in to her a little?"

If the timing weren't so awful, I might have laughed.

This scene was all too familiar to me.

Anything I liked that Grace also fancied automatically became hers.

If there was only one good thing, it went to Grace.

On birthdays, Grace was the one who made the wish and blew out the candles.

I loved strawberries too, but the fresh, plump ones on the cake always went to Grace.

I hated bananas, yet my cake always had bananas in it.

"I like Eric, and Eric likes me. Feelings aren't objects. I won't give way." I raised my hand to cut off my mother, who was about to speak. "I know what you'll say. That I stole Grace's nutrients in the womb. Sometimes I wish I had been the one left malnourished."

These words had festered inside me for too long.

Today, I might as well lay it all out.

"Was Grace's malnutrition my fault? Is there any need for such blatant favoritism? Am I even your child?"

Dad was furious, pointing at me. "How dare you speak to your mother like that!"

"I know you all dislike me. I won't stay here to upset you anymore. I'm moving out. Whether I live or die from now on, it's none of your concern. Likewise, how you fare is none of my business."

I was pulling my suitcase to the door when I saw Eric waiting outside, holding a thermal lunchbox.

"I figured you hadn't eaten breakfast," he said, handing me the lunchbox. His voice was still cool but carried a hint of warmth I hadn't noticed before.

I opened it. Inside was steaming hot oatmeal and some side dishes.

In my past life, I'd never eaten anything Eric cooked. Turns out he was really good at it.

"How did you know I was kicked out?"

Eric looked slightly awkward, rubbing his nose, his voice less confident. "I knew your relationship with your family wasn't great. I worried you might storm out impulsively, so..."

I smiled, blinking at him. "You care about me that much?"

"Let's go," he said, taking my suitcase somewhat stiffly. "I've rented a place off-campus. You can stay with me for now."

I was taken aback. "Alright then. Thanks."

"No trouble."

We had just reached the bottom of the stairs when we saw Simon standing there, his face thunderous.

"Zoe, you're really leaving with this guy?" He blocked our path, his tone threatening. "Don't forget, your parents still need the White family's help."

I scoffed. "Simon, I don't like you anymore. Please stop harassing me. As for the Patel family, isn't there still my sister?"

"You..." Simon was speechless with anger.

Eric stepped forward, shielding me, his gaze icy as he looked at Simon. "Move."

Simon was momentarily cowed by Eric's presence and instinctively stepped back. But he quickly recovered, flushing with humiliation. "Eric, this is between Zoe and me. It's none of your business."

"Her business is my business," Eric stated, leaving no room for argument.

Simon stared at us, eyes filled with resentment and fury, but he finally moved aside.

Sitting in the car, I watched the scenery blur past, my emotions tangled.

Scenes from my past life flashed before my eyes—the pain and humiliation felt as fresh as yesterday.

"What are you thinking about?" Eric's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Thinking... how come I only just realized how amazing you are?"

Arriving at Eric's rented apartment, I found it surprisingly cozy. Simple, but clearly set up with care.

"You can take this room," Eric pointed to a bedroom. "It's got everything. Get some rest, I'll make dinner."

That night, lying in bed, I tossed and turned.

The memories from my past life were too vivid, the painful scenes replaying relentlessly.

Just then, my phone rang—an unknown number.

I hesitated but answered.

"Zoe, it's me." Grace's voice came through, dripping with fake concern. "Where are you? Mom and Dad are so worried. Come home, please?"

"Where I am is none of your business. Tell Mom and Dad to stop bothering me," I said coldly.

"Zoe, how can you say that? We're family!" Grace's voice took on a tearful edge. "I know you're still mad at me. I'm sorry, okay? Please forgive me?"

"Save the apologies. I can't handle them." I hung up before she could say more.

I knew Grace wouldn't let this go. She was definitely scheming something.