Stanley Meyer and I were the main leads of a sappy school romance novel. We were childhood sweethearts with a bond stronger than iron and steel.

Everyone thought that I'd be Mrs. Meyer in the future despite the fact that I was the daughter of the Meyers' housekeeper.

That was, until I personally witnessed Stanley making out with Tina West, Gerard West's illegitimate daughter who has just returned from abroad. He even put the emerald pendant, which was supposed to be a keepsake from my grandma, on her neck carefully.

I was overwhelmed trying to figure out this unexpected variable outside the plot. But Stanley decided to imprison me in a mental asylum instead.

"It's better for you to wake up from that daydream of yours. I'm sick of hearing you prattle about the male and female leads for so many years. Only when Tina is by my side do I feel a sense of freedom."

The torture I was forced to undergo in the mental asylum was too much for me to handle. My only salvation was the spare time I got to scribble down the original plotline of this novel.

When Stanley found out, however, he torched my drafts instantly. He even went as far as to poison the glass I drink from.

Before I died, I heard his icy voice.

"Tina will continue to live her life in fear as long as someone in this world remembers the original plot. That's why you must die for her sake."

When I woke up again, I'd returned to the day I witnessed Stanley and Tina making out with each other. Everyone around me wore various expressions, though they collectively decided to stay quiet.

I was the one who shattered the silence by raising my glass with a smile. "I wish you a lifetime of happiness."

Stanley Meyer's eyes were dark as he looked at me. A suggestive trace of moisture still lingered on his thin lips.

I avoided his gaze, lowered my eyes, and took a sip of wine. Bitterness spread from my throat into my chest.

Tina West's face was full of amusement. With a knowing look, she said, "Dawn, you're really generous, but I've been abroad for years, so I can't quite tell whether your kindness is genuine or just an act."

The others quickly joined in.

"Yeah, Dawn is always going on about leading men and women, isn't she? She even said Stanley would definitely marry her and they'd grow old happily together!"

I dug my nails into my palm and tried to keep my voice calm as I said, "Those are just some childish jokes from when I was young and foolish. Just take it as a passing amusement.

"I see clearly now that Mr. Meyer and Ms. West are truly made for each other. A perfect match in every way."

Stanley let out a scoff and looked over at me with disdain.

"Is that so? Dawn, you'd better not be trying anything funny."

There was a clear warning in his tone.

I smiled bitterly and raised my glass, saying, "To show I mean it, I'll down three drinks to cheer for your love."

The alcohol scorched my throat as I downed glass after glass. A searing pain began to spread through my stomach.

Most of the people there knew I had severe acute gastritis as a child and had been left with lasting damage. Many of them looked uncomfortable at the sight of me drinking like that.

However, Stanley just watched me indifferently, so no one dared to stop me.

The taste of blood slowly crept up my tongue, and a stinging pain made me cough violently.

Stanley's gaze seemed to waver, but in the end, he only wrapped an arm around Tina's waist and stroked her gently.

"It's good that you finally understand. Tina's cheerful and direct, unlike you, with all your schemes. Stay away from her from now on."

I nodded with a smile, and the atmosphere in the room grew lively again.

I turned and went to the bathroom, vomiting until my insides felt torn up.

Tears mixed with the blood-tinged wine as more than a decade of memories flickered in my mind.

He was the one who used to cry when my gastritis flared up, and he was the one who told our friends never to force me to drink.

Just why, why did he suddenly hate me so much because of another woman?

The agony from the poisoning in my past life coursed through me. I smashed my head against the cold, hard wall, forcing myself to stay conscious.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a private number.

"I'm willing to be your first love's stand-in. My only condition is that you protect me until I turn 24."

I had three years left. That time was neither long nor short.

I was going to write a new plot for myself.

It sounded like Jason Wade had stood up abruptly. Amid the noise, his voice was unusually anxious.

"Why did you suddenly agree, Dawn? Did something happen?"

My nose suddenly stung.

In the original story, Jason was the devoted second leading man. His role was to have "a little bit of falsehood mixed into his true feelings", making Stanley's wholehearted devotion to me stand out even more.

In this world, Stanley was the all-powerful, domineering CEO.

I was the poor, stubborn girl who strived to get into Eastvale University and ended up getting saved by him.

The only one who could rival Stanley was Jason, who was almost his equal.

I was 70% similar to Jason's first love from his childhood, and he wanted me as a stand-in to stay by his side.

In my past life, I would rather die than be humiliated, so I firmly rejected Jason.

He disappeared from my life after that, but after my death, he came to my grave and smoked half a pack of cigarettes.

I recalled that he always carried that girl's photo with him, and that his obsession ran deep.

In this life, I had no choice but to use his genuine feelings for someone else. It was shameful, but at least we would both survive.

After all, after my death in the previous life, Stanley still wasn't satisfied. With the leading man's plot armor protecting him, he had harmed many people like a madman.

Stanley eventually shot Jason. Jason died in front of my grave.

My thoughts wavered for an instant. Just now, in the private room, the diamond on Tina's ring finger had gleamed blindingly.

Compared to her warm, bright personality, I was indeed bland and boring. I could never hold onto anything.

At least, my grandmother's emerald pendant was entirely mine.

…

I drove back to the Meyer residence, and the moment I pushed open the door, I froze in place.

Tina spun around to face me. What hung around her neck was a familiar emerald pendant!

This scene overlapped with the one from my past life.

I stood there rooted to the spot and pale-faced.

Tina sneered mockingly. "Dawn, you just can't let it go, can you? Did you want to come back and seduce Stanley? Too bad he's already kicked you out."

Tina clapped her hands smugly. The maids filed out in unison and threw my things out like trash.

I endured her arrogant humiliation and said calmly, "The pendant around your neck is mine."

Tina clutched her chest dramatically, and her voice was sharp. "Dawn, what ridiculous fantasy are you having? This is Stanley's welcome gift to me, you—"

No—that was something my grandmother, while on her deathbed, asked me to give to Stanley.

Back then, Stanley had gripped the pendant tightly and sworn he would treat me well for the rest of his life.

Now, it had become another toy he casually used to make Tina smile.

Shaking with anger, I pulled up a photo on my phone and showed it to Tina, cutting off her bragging.

"This is my grandmother's last keepsake."

Tina stiffened as if someone had a hand around her throat. She glared viciously at the photo, as if she wanted to tear me apart.

After a long moment, she yanked the pendant off her neck and held it in her hand. "It's a piece of junk. I didn't want it anyway. But if you want it, come up here and get it yourself."

I could see the cunning and malice in Tina’s eyes, but I couldn't care less about that anymore.

Without hesitation, I ran upstairs and clutched the pendant tightly to my chest. For the first time since being reborn, I finally felt a sense of peace.

The next second, a piercing scream rang out in my ears, followed by the sound of something heavy falling.

My eyes went wide with shock as I spun around. I couldn't believe what I saw.

Tina had tumbled down the stairs. Beneath her, a bright red pool of blood slowly spread.

In the next second, the front door was kicked open, and Stanley shouted urgently, "Tina, what happened? The maids said your heart was hurting and you didn't want anyone disturbing you—"

Stanley's voice caught abruptly. Trembling, he slowly dropped to his knees and carefully gathered Tina into his arms.

Tina said weakly, "Stanley, don't blame Dawn. I made her angry by wearing her emerald pendant. I deserve to be pushed down these stairs…"

Stanley's eyes turned bloodshot as he looked up at me. His voice was icy cold as he gritted out, "Dawn. Perkins. You'd better have an explanation for this."

At this point, my heart had strangely settled into a sense of calm.

"There's nothing to explain. I didn't push her."

Enraged, Stanley laughed out loud. His large hand clamped down on my jaw as if he wanted to crush my bones.

"Are you saying Tina threw herself down the stairs just to frame you? Dawn, at least use your brain when you lie!"

I struggled with all my strength. The discomfort in my stomach was growing worse.

"There are security cameras all over the house. You can check them yourself."

Before I could finish speaking, Stanley kicked me hard in the stomach.

I collapsed against the wall. The blood in my stomach finally spilled out, gurgling from my mouth.

I coughed violently, and my voice was hoarse as I muttered, "All you had to do was check the cameras to know the truth. Stanley, why do you never believe me…"

Stanley looked down at me from above. His gaze was completely devoid of warmth. He said slowly, "Dawn, Tina has a serious heart condition."

Shadows fell across his handsome face, making him look like a vengeful spirit. He grabbed my hair with one hand and yanked my head up, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Are you saying Tina would risk her own life just to frame you, huh?"

My scalp throbbed as if it would split apart. I gasped violently, and the pain left me unable to speak. Blood seeped slowly from my nose and mouth.

Stanley straightened up and casually wiped his fingers clean. He fixed his gaze on my miserable state and, almost instinctively, took a step forward.

Then, Tina cried out tearfully, "Stanley, it hurts so much…"

Only then did Stanley seem to snap out of it. He let out a cold, derisive snort.

"You're pretty good at pretending, Dawn. Tina doesn't have the dirty thoughts that you do. Trying to sow discord between us won't work on me.

"Since you hurt Tina over a cheap emerald pendant, you can forget about keeping it."

Amused, Stanley's eyes gleamed with cruel excitement as he watched me scream in despair.

"No! Give it back… Give it back to me!"

As if he hadn't heard, Stanley took out his phone. His movements were resolute and mercilessly cold.

"Since you can't behave yourself, maybe a few days in a psychiatric hospital would do you good. Don't worry. I'll make sure the doctors take very good care of you."

My eyes widened in terror, and memories of being abused in the psychiatric hospital in my last life flashed through my mind.

"No… No! I've already… tried so hard to avoid this…"

Without giving me a chance to argue, Stanley scooped Tina into his arms and left in a rush. His voice was gentler than it had ever been as he said, "It's okay, Tina. We're going to the hospital."

I collapsed onto the floor. The moment they left, I forced myself to get up and dial that number.

"Jason Wade, I'm begging you. Please come and save me…"

The man who would one day be cold and decisive sounded unexpectedly tense on the other end of the line.

Through the phone, he whispered, "Dawn, don't be afraid."

I heard the sharp rattle of car keys.

"Send me your location. I'll be there soon," Jason said.