I struggled to open my eyes, blurry vision and my stomach left wide open-no stitching, no anesthesia. My husband, Leo, did this.

With my last breath, I begged, "Ceyda, Leo, please... let me see them... my children."

A cruel smile spread across Ceyda's face. "They're dead. Your body, your life, were just tools. They're mine now."

Leo, bloodied, coldly spoke, "You don't deserve them. Go find them in your next life."

I watched, helpless, as my life slipped away. My children's cries echoed in my ears.

The doctor's voice pierced my soul: "She shouldn't have died like this."

And then, I was gone-only to be reborn, on the day I received my PhD acceptance to Harvarda.

But it was the day my death, ten years later, was sealed-because it was the day I met Ceyda.

As expected, she entered, accompanied by her father, Bran. His successful aura, her beauty-dazzling.

"Mr. Bran is making a huge donation to support Tricia's studies," Ceyda boasted, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "We'll bring her into the Bran Group. She'll dedicate herself to research and rise to unimaginable heights."

I gritted my teeth.

Then Bran casually added, "By the way, Ceyda's also admitted to Harvarda. Congratulations to her. You two will be classmates now. I hope Ceyda learns from Tricia and grows."

In my past life, I was merely a pawn in their game-Ceyda's sidekick, part of their web of manipulation.

But now, I wasn't willing to play along. "I have a scholarship. I don't need your donation."

Bran's face darkened, but Ceyda quickly smoothed things over. "Dad, the library needs renovation."

I thought, if I avoided their charity, Ceyda would no longer be in my life. But fate had other plans.

Arriving at my dorm, there she was. "What a coincidence," she smiled, linking arms with me. "We'll be best friends."

I pulled away. "We're not that close yet."

Her smile faltered, but she quickly recovered.

When our roommates arrived, I froze. We all resembled each other,somewhat looked at Ceyda.

Sally's mother worked for the Arden Group, Bruna's for Bran Group. I was just a poor student raised by my grandmother.

And Ceyda? She held the strings to our lives.

In my past life, I learned that when the Arden brothers were six, they were saved from an oncoming car by Ceyda.

She lost the ability to bear children but became their family's golden child, entwined with the brothers forever.

Mrs. Arden promised Ceyda could be their daughter-in-law, but heirs were still a problem.

And now, in front of me, the pure smile Ceyda wore merged with the monstrous face .

Once classes officially began, I made a conscious effort to avoid Ceyda, leaving early and returning late.

When Ceyda invited the roommates to a five-star hotel for dinner, I feigned regret:

"Sorry, I have to finish my paper by tomorrow."

When Ceyda bought jewelry for everyone, I firmly declined:

"These are too expensive; I'll never have a chance to wear them."

Despite her repeated attempts to charm us, Bruna eagerly fell for it:

"I want to be your best friend forever!"

Sally, on the other hand, remained indifferent.

Undeterred by our subtle distancing, Ceyda remained friendly and approachable, not once displaying the arrogance of a rich girl.

One day, she suddenly said,

"Tomorrow's a family gathering. You all have to come, I'll send the driver to pick you up."

I immediately searched for an excuse to refuse:

"Sorry, I still haven't finished my paper..."

Bruna, intrigued, spoke up:

"A gathering in a wealthy family, it must be quite extravagant, right?"

Ceyda pretended to be modest:

"It's nothing, just a small gathering of close friends and family.

"I've only invited the three of you from the whole school.

"If you don't come, my dad will definitely scold me for not getting along with my roommates."

Bruna, suddenly excited, asked:

"Can I take photos? A private, low-key luxury gathering of a wealthy family!"

Ceyda hesitated:

"But wealthy families are very private about their events..."

Suddenly, it hit me. This was the same gathering where Ceyda had introduced me to the Arden brothers in my past life.

At the ceremony, Kay had publicly confessed his feelings for Ceyda.

Soon after, Leo had pursued me.

Bruna, swept up in her vanity and Ceyda's charm, was lost. I wanted to snap her out of it.

"Let me leave you a video to remember the family gathering. We can treat it like a conference. I doubt we'll ever get another chance like this.

"Sally and I will join in to make it more fun."

Though Sally and I didn't interact much, we shared a silent understanding.

She caught my hint and agreed to attend.

Seeing that all three of us were willingly walking into her trap, Ceyda happily agreed to the photo request.

The next morning, Ceyda sent a driver to pick us up.

I could barely breathe, my nails digging into my skin to ease the tension.

Because, once again, I was about to face Leo.

In my past life, after Ceyda's family gathering, Leo confessed his love at first sight and relentlessly pursued me.

He waited for hours, holding a love letter, handing it to me with a smile. Every day, he sat beside me, sketching my every expression, content with the smallest smile.

He followed me to a night market he despised, enduring the crowds and noise just to keep me company, never touching the food but gazing at me with tenderness.

He didn't care about his image. Every sports class, he made sure everyone knew he was by my side, always.

On my birthday, he rented out an entire cinema to play my favorite movie, standing beneath the screen, declaring his love in the most romantic way.

I thought I was finally loved, but I was just a pawn in their games.

The gates of Ceyda's mansion opened.

Ceyda greeted us, radiant in her diamond-studded dress, the Arden brothers looming behind he.

Leo, impressed, said, "Bruna, I've heard so much about you. You're even more stunning than I imagined."

Ceyda proudly introduced us, and I felt small beside her beauty and grace. The Arden brothers scrutinized us, like inspecting merchandise. I locked eyes with Leo, and fear seized me.

Sally noticed and asked, "Tricia, are you alright?" I excused myself to the bathroom, trying to calm the storm inside me.

Leaving the bathroom, I rushed to the garden with Sally and Bruna. In the temperature-controlled greenhouse, Ceyda and the Arden brothers entered.

Kay slowly slid the fabric of her dress down her shoulder.

Leo's lips hovered near her ear, the warmth of his breath sending a shiver down her spine before they claimed her lips, soft at first, then more urgent.

His hands roamed, carefully, as if testing the waters, before pulling her closer, his touch becoming more insistent.

Then Leo buriied under he dress, her dress moved up and dow,Ceyda moaned, "Faster."