After writing an essay about the future I wanted, I made a desperate appeal to my parents, just as Aaron Wade was likely doing in the hall of a business his family owned.

The appeal lasted two days. Our demand was simple: annul the engagement between us.

Others might have found this confusing, but I knew exactly why it mattered. In my previous life, I married Aaron and gave him everything. I devoted my career to him and stood at the peak of his business empire.

He repaid me by forcing me to take the fall for Rebecca, a so-called heiress. I was arrested and sent to prison.

"Had you not forced us into an engagement the moment you got into Iale University, I would have ended up with her instead," he sneered. "You owe her this, Bernadette. It's time you paid up."

Even my own parents joined in. "You robbed Becky of what she deserves. Think of this as your divine retribution!"

They had supported the engagement back then.

Rage overwhelmed me and triggered a cardiac arrest. I died on the spot.

While my body lay cold in the morgue, Aaron and Rebecca held a lavish wedding at a five-star hotel to celebrate their union.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day I had written about the future I wanted.

Now I knew what that future looked like. It had none of these people in it.

This time, I would live for myself.

My teacher, Madison Warner, came to me today, pride shining in her eyes. "Iale University's recruitment advisors called. The two of you scored at the top of the city on your SATs. You're now eligible to fill out this application form and write an essay about how you envision your future."

I glanced at Aaron.

He spun a pen between his fingers with casual indifference.

"Ugh. Somebody save me from attending the same university as Bernadette." His eyes were cold and distant. "I want to go to the same place as Rebecca."

Madison leapt to her feet in shock. Her glasses nearly slid off her nose. "Wait, are you serious? Rebecca's results could barely get her into second-rate colleges. You're better than that."

Aaron remained unfazed. He stood and set one foot on his chair, his back straight. He carried the air of someone used to being obeyed and admired.

"So what if she's not a high scorer? She's talented in her own ways. Her abilities can't be measured by some arbitrary exams," he said with a sneer. "Just wait. She's going places."

His gaze passed over me and fixed on something, or someone, outside the staff office.

Rebecca leaned against the doorframe with her head lowered, chewing her lip, like a shy, withdrawn girl.

Aaron's eyes softened. I had never seen them so gentle.

His attention returned to me, and his tone hardened. "As for Bernadette, she's indeed impressive, but she's rigid and bound by rules. I'm looking for someone who can stand beside me as an equal, not someone who thinks memorizing an entire textbook means anything."

Madison trembled with anger. "What happened to you, Aaron? I thought you were friends with Bernadette. What's so bad about attending Iale with her? Even if you'd rather go somewhere else, that doesn't mean you should ruin your future by choosing lesser institutions.

"The gap between Ivy League schools and second-rate institutions is already wide. If you go somewhere even lower than that, you'll miss out on real opportunities. It's more than just the quality of education."

Aaron straightened his collar without concern. None of it affected him.

He moved with the quiet confidence of a top student. "Bernadette may have helped me in class, but we were never more than that. What I want is someone who will stand with me as I build my business empire. Right now, that person is Becky."

He kept looking at her, his eyes warm and strangely intense.

I thought I understood. Aaron must have regressed into this moment, just as I had.

We had not stayed together to the end. This time, he could not wait to correct his regrets.

In the past, this would have upset me enough to keep me awake at night. This time, I remained calm.

Madison threw up her hands in frustration. "Fine. Do whatever you want. Just make sure you don't regret it."

He smiled resolutely.

Aaron shot me a look. "I won't regret choosing her."

He headed for the door and left with Rebecca.

I finally broke my silence. "You're going to let him apply to a third-rate college, ma'am?"

Madison patted my shoulder with a sympathetic smile. "We all know you've got your eyes on Aaron, dear. You'd want to go to the same college he does, no matter what that is, wouldn't you?"

She paused, then continued, "But you can't force a horse to drink. It's a shame he's given up so much of his potential and his choices for Rebecca, but you don't have to do the same. You deserve better."

I was a little stunned. Then I shook my head and let out a soft chuckle.

"Thanks for your concern, Ms. Warner, but I'm not that kind of girl. I won't sacrifice my future for anyone or follow someone around like a shadow," I replied firmly.

Madison looked pleasantly surprised. "Good girl! Just what I expect from the best in class!"

I nodded in appreciation and tucked the form into my folder.

…

In my last life, Aaron and I had both decided to apply to Iale University. At the time, both of our parents declared that we were suitable for an engagement. I did not refuse, and I believed he would agree.

But it turned out that Rebecca had always been the apple of his eye. He had only been forced into the engagement because his parents wanted him with someone of equal standing.

Later, Rebecca gained admission to Iale through her international art exhibitions. By then, however, it was too late for the two lovebirds.

Aaron resented me for it. He held that grudge for ten years. When the opportunity finally came, he forced me to take the fall for Rebecca's crime, and I was sentenced to prison.

Now that I had been given a second chance at life, I knew better than to involve myself in that doomed relationship again.

…

As I passed a tree near the corridor leading out of the office, I overheard Rebecca talking with her best friend, Kai.

"Damn, queen! You've worked your parents so well that you're their favorite now, and you've got Aaron head over heels for you!"

Rebecca sneered, "You make it sound impressive. Who am I compared to that straight-A dweeb? I just wish the nanny hadn't been such a wimp. She should have done more than bring me back to my parents' home instead of her. She should have sold her off to some foreign couple in another country.

"That would have saved me from being displaced. My family would never have found her, and I'd still be the heiress!"

I froze. My blood ran cold.

"So the incident in which I was taken in by another family had not been an accident. It had been a conspiracy," I muttered.

I remembered how miserable life had been with my false parents. My adoptive mother would beat me with a belt when she got drunk. My stepfather would look at me with those unsettling eyes. I remembered the humiliation of not being able to pay my school fees.

I had not deserved any of that. I had been forced to endure it because Rebecca's mother had devised a plan for her own benefit.

If I had not studied hard, earned my way into one of the nation's most elite high schools, and eventually found my real parents, I would have rotted in that hell for the rest of my life.

Righteous fury and raw grief surged through me. I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.

I was about to step forward and confront Rebecca when someone grabbed my shoulder and stopped me.

Aaron had appeared without my noticing. He glared at me with open disgust. "Can't you ever leave Becky alone?"

"Did you hear what she said?" I shot back.

He looked off into the distance.

"Hear what? That we're finally together? What, are you mad? Jealous?" His voice dropped. "She's a good person, Bernadette. If you're going to throw a tantrum over what I said in the office, take it out on me. Don't even think about targeting her."

Good? Good?!

I let out a sharp, scornful laugh and met his gaze. "Are you blind or deaf, Aaron?"

His expression darkened. "You think you can look down on others just because you score a few points on exams?"

He scoffed. "We'll see about that. Three days from now, you'll find out who really deserves a place at Iale."

He studied me for a moment, noticed the redness in my eyes, and softened his tone slightly. "Look, if you still can't let go of us after everything, I can make some… concessions. I can set aside a day each week to spend time with you, after I talk it over with Becky."

I stared at Aaron and realized, for the first time, how utterly ridiculous he was. I used to admire him. Now, I saw an egomaniac who truly believed he was too good for me.

"Oh my God, Aaron. The things you say… You really are a clown," I said with a laugh.

His expression darkened.

I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and walked away.

After turning the corner, I pulled up a number in my contacts and pressed call. "I need an investigation into Mercier Hospital on June 15, 18 years ago. Check all birth records, nurse schedules, and any available security footage."

I ended the call and dialed another number. "Mr. Holland? I'd like to join the International Youth Art Show this year."

Then I opened social media. Rebecca had just posted a new update on Instagram.

The photo showed her holding Aaron's hand, captioned: [We are meant to be together.]

A crooked smile tugged at my lips. "Oh, Rebecca. You love taking what belongs to others, don't you? And you, Aaron… You really think she's your true love? Fine. I'll make your wish come true.

"This time, I will let the entire school see how ugly both of you are beneath those polished faces. I will ruin your reputation so completely that you will wish you had never been born… or reborn."

…

Three days passed. The day arrived.

Aaron had told me the date. It was the day of the International Youth Art Show.

On the surface, it looked like a standard exhibition, but in reality, it was an opportunity to attract the attention of the Iale University School of Art. They used the event to recruit promising artists, which drew in anyone with comparable talent.

In my previous life, Rebecca had seized all the attention with her painting, "Spring Sun." It was so impressive that the rector of the School of Art met her in person. That moment secured her admission to Iale University and brought immense prestige to the Montgomery family.

It was also the moment Aaron and my parents changed their view of her. As their affection for Rebecca grew, they began to criticize and ostracize me, until they eventually abandoned me altogether.

I entered the venue without expression, my posture straight as attention gathered around me.

Whispers followed in my wake.

"That's Bernadette, right? Didn't she ace the SATs? But her parents still favor Rebecca…"

"Man, that's rough. She's the real Montgomery heiress, but a hospital mix-up sent her to some backwater town. Even after she came back, nothing she did earned their love."

"It's not just her parents. Even Aaron ignores Mercier High's top student for Rebecca. Why does she always get the short end of the stick? Something feels off…"

"Tsk, what do you know? So what if Rebecca isn't a top scorer? She's an art genius. This whole show might as well be in her honor."

I ignored them and headed to my booth.

I had just finished setting up when Aaron and Rebecca approached.

"You're joining the show too, Bernadette?" he sneered. "Not bad. At least you'll get to witness the moment Becky's work is selected by the rector."

I did not look up as I adjusted my easel. "You've been working hard to hype her up while looking down on me, haven't you? Have you ever considered how hard the fall will be if she doesn't live up to it?

"If she performs as well as you expect, fine. But if she fails, she won't recover from the humiliation you've set her up for."

Aaron glared at me and let out a short laugh. "What? You think she's as talentless as you? What can you do besides memorizing textbooks and regurgitating them during exams?

"Should I remind you that Becky's piece is already one of the finalists? She's the School of Art's focus at this entire show.

"I know you're jealous, Bernadette, but you should at least respect fair competition and treat her as a fellow artist."

He pointed at my covered canvas. "Or you can stop pretending and admit Becky is better than you. If you do, I'll overlook everything you've done to her. I might even find some time for you in my schedule."

I understood exactly what they were doing. A few people in the crowd snickered as they waited for me to make a fool of myself.