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.

Because of an incident two years ago, these people believed I would always do whatever Aaron told me, as long as it kept me close to him.

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Just give up and follow your heart, Bernadette! You know you can't risk pissing him off. He might ignore you!"

Rebecca adopted a weak, docile tone. "Please, everyone. Don't make things harder for my big sister. She's the top scorer in the entire school. I can't compare to her…"

Aaron gripped her shoulders, protective as a knight shielding a damsel.

"Becky, stop putting yourself down," he said. "You're too kind for this world. You're the better sister."

I watched them work so hard to tear me down and offered a neutral smile. "You both sound confident. But can you answer three questions?

"First, Rebecca, do you even dare compete with me in a true test of talent?

"Second, Aaron, what makes you think I still care about you at all?

"And third, do you really believe the one student admitted to Iale today will be you?"

The crowd fell silent, their faces filled with shock and uncertainty.

An event runner approached us. "Miss Becky Montgomery? The rector has finished reviewing your piece. Please return to your booth. He would like a word."

The bystanders stirred.

"The rector is asking for her personally. She must have done something remarkable with her art."

"Aaron really has an eye for talent. He picked the real deal."

"Plenty of students get into Iale with high SAT scores, but admission based purely on artistic talent? That's rare."

"If I were Bernadette, I wouldn't even be here to endure this. Seriously. Couldn't be me."

Aaron and Rebecca exchanged a meaningful glance. She left first with a satisfied smile. Aaron lingered just long enough to grin at me.

"You're really going to die on that hill, even after I told you she's a genius," he said. "Haven't you heard what everyone's saying? If you care at all about your reputation, admit it. Rebecca is better than you."

He paused, then added, "If you do, I might even reward you with custody rights to my child in the future."

The crowd burst into laughter, as if the outcome were already decided and I had already lost.

My best friend, Leticia, bristled with anger. "This is unacceptable. We have to tell Ms. Warner or someone about what they're doing to you."

I shook my head. "There's no need. The truth will come out soon."

Another event runner approached me. "Bernadette Montgomery? The rector would like to see you."

I did not move. "Could you ask the rector to come here instead? Some things are better explained in front of everyone."

The rector, Daniel Applebaum, approached with two paintings in his arms, his expression grave. "What is the meaning of this, Miss Montgomery? Why is your painting identical to the other Montgomery's?"

Rebecca looked at me, her eyes red.

"I trusted you, Bernie," she said, her voice shaking. "How could you plagiarize my work?"

I regarded them calmly. I had expected this.

In my last life, Rebecca won by submitting my piece as her own. At the time, I chose to bury the truth to spare my parents embarrassment. That decision proved disastrous. It became the reason everything in my life fell apart.

I would not allow this world to reward those who relied on tears and manipulation.

"Do you have proof that I plagiarized?" I asked.

Rebecca turned to Aaron in panic. He understood immediately.

"I can testify for her, Mr. Applebaum," he said. "I was there when Becky created this. I saw Bernadette watching her by the easel."

Daniel hesitated. "That isn't sufficient evidence, young man."

"I trust Becky's abilities, sir," Aaron insisted. "Bernadette may excel in written exams, but she's nowhere near Becky's level in art."

I met the rector's gaze. "In that case, shall we each complete a painting here and now, in front of a panel of adjudicators?"