I tore apart the acceptance letter for a Whittendale scholarship, along with two high-profile love confessions from my best friends, the day I was reborn. I did it because, in my past life, I chose one of them—and my life turned into a living hell.

On our wedding day, Nicholas Browning framed me. Using an AI-generated video, he accused me of being unfaithful. The scandal crushed my mother, who relied on me and led her to her death. And all of this? He did it for my stepsister, Kim Ford.

Through my heartbreak, my other best friend, Zach Davidson, swore, “I’ll take the place that your mother left. I’ll never leave your side.”

He was the one who pulled me out of the abyss of despair and for that, I was eternally grateful. But after our wedding, his warmth disappeared. He grew cold, distant, like a stranger. At first, I thought he was just awkward or embarrassed—after all, we’d been childhood friends. But then, one day, I caught him with my stepsister in a passionate kiss.

“I swear I’ve never touched her, Kim,” Zach coaxed. “You’re the only one for me.”

As a storm of sadness, anger and betrayal consumed me, he added, “I’ll make sure she’d end up like her mother—lonely for the rest of her life.”

I left in a daze, unsure of where to go. That’s when the hitman Kim hired caught up to me, sending me to my death.

I was murdered by their twisted love games.

Unbeknownst to me, they had already long transferred all my assets to Kim’s name. They even signed an agreement to harvest my organs for her, ensuring her survival if anything happened.

In this new life, I swore to stay far away from those psychopaths and live for myself.

***

The entire classroom fell silent as I shredded the acceptance letter to Whittendale into tiny pieces.

“Have you lost your mind? That was your golden ticket into Whittendale Andrea!” someone yelled.

“Are you so afraid of losing to me that you’d tear up your acceptance letter andy?” Kim, my stepsister, sneered, her expression smug.

Recently, Kim and I had made a bet. She was convinced she could get into Whittendale without a recommendation letter like mine. If she succeeded, I’d have to sign over all the shares I’d inherited from Grandpa—and, to add insult to injury, Mom would have to shine Kim’s mom’s shoes.

“Looks like she’s scared to lose to Kim. What a waste—only three students in our entire class got one of those letters. Guess she doesn’t recognize a good thing even when it’s handed to her on a silver platter.”

Beside me, my two best friends—both of whom also had Whittendale recommendation letters in their hands—watched in stunned silence. Once upon a time, we’d sworn under the stars that we’d all work hard to make it to Whittendale together.

But now, my vow was to distance myself from these three maniacs.

“Andrea!”

I had just slouched over my desk, ready to shut my eyes, when Nicholas stormed into the room, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a thick piece of paper in the other.

“I heard the news!” he exclaimed breathlessly, his eyes lighting up. “The teachers had told me you’re one of the scholarship recipients. Isn’t it great? We can be together at Whittendale!” His chest heaved as he caught his breath.

“Andy…” His voice trailed off as he tried to find the right words. “I’ve liked you for a long time. Will you be my girlfriend?”

I stared at him, expressionless, my eyes locked on his.

Even though my face betrayed nothing, I felt the energy in the classroom shift. The boisterous laughter of boys showing off to their friends, the soft whispers of two girls gossiping about next period and the animated chatter of a group discussing the cutest guy in school—all of it faded into an eerie silence. The room transformed from a noisy hub of activity into something as still as an empty cathedral. In the quiet, it felt like even the faintest sound, like a pin dropping, could be heard.

Every head in the room turned to look at Nicholas.

A low growl escaped his throat as he snapped, “What are you looking at?”

Seizing the moment, I snatched the envelope from his hand and slammed it against his chest.

“No,” I said coldly. “We will not be together at Whittendale because I already tore mine up. And no, I will not be your girlfriend. I hate you, Nicholas.”

I locked eyes with him, my fury simmering beneath a mask of icy composure. In my mind, I pictured flames consuming his pristine facade, reducing him to ashes.

“Don’t ever speak to me again,” I said, my voice sharp enough to cut. “And get lost.”

It took every ounce of self-control to stay seated. It took every ounce of self-control to stay seated. I fought the urge to slap him or grab the sharpest pen or pencil within reach and drive it straight into his neck. The mere sight of that hypocrite ignited an inferno inside me, turning my simmering anger into an uncontrollable blaze.

Between the two of them, I had always treated Nicholas the best. I had even secretly harbored feelings for him for over ten years. When his family’s company faced financial trouble, I knelt outside my father’s study for two hours, begging him to approve financial aid. My mother, too, was thrilled at the prospect of Nicholas becoming my fiancé.

That’s why, in my previous life, when he presented an AI-generated video falsely accusing me of having an affair, I was too shocked to defend myself. The pain cut deeper than any blade, silencing me completely as I watched the man I once trusted destroy my reputation.

And then, as if that wasn’t enough, the same man who once vowed to despise my stepsister, Kim, as an act of solidarity, walked off the stage and took her hand. He held her close, his face filled with love and tenderness.

Nicholas announced to the entire city that Kim was his true love.

The blow was so devastating that my mother and I both ended up hospitalized. Meanwhile, Nicholas and Kim reaped all the rewards—fame, admiration and a perfect reputation.

Snapping back to the present, I fixed Nicholas with a glare full of loathing and disdain.

“Why are you still standing here? I told you to get lost. Don’t you understand plain English?”

Nicholas looked taken aback by my harsh tone, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before it was replaced with impatience.

“What’s wrong with you? You were fine this morning,” he snapped. “What did I do? Why are you so angry?”

For a moment, his confusion seemed genuine, but then it shifted into irritation. “Is this about that? For heaven’s sake, haven’t I already explained? I only gave Kim a ride because I saw her limping. That’s it.”

His impatience was written all over his face as he added, “Can’t you tone down your temper a little?”

Before I could respond, Kim seized the opportunity to chime in, her voice laced with false innocence and sarcasm.

“Is that why you’re mad and tore it up, Sis?” she asked, her tone sugary sweet but her words cutting. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known you’d be so upset about Nic giving me a ride, I wouldn’t have accepted it. Even with my sprained ankle, I’d have crawled to school instead.” Her words hit their mark. The classroom erupted into murmurs, the noise growing louder as everyone seemed to turn against me. I could hear their murmur of accusations

“She’s so heartless.” 

“Right? It’s her own sister.”

“How could she be so petty?”

Not wanting to let these insignificant comments mess with my head, I stormed out, letting the door slam shut behind me. Perhaps that was the beginning of their relationship. But I didn’t care enough to dig into the details. It no longer mattered to me. I walked briskly down the hallway toward the principal’s office.

When I opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of a middle-aged man seated at his desk.

“Mr. Hanson, I’ve made up my mind,” I announced without any preamble. “I’ll sign the confidentiality agreement for the research test.”

Whittendale had always been Nicholas and Zach’s childhood dream, not mine. My true passion lay in research—making real contributions to the field, something meaningful.

I knew Mr. Hanson admired my dedication and intelligence. That was why he sought out this opportunity for me, an avenue where I could channel my talents and interests.

When he heard that I was giving up a spot at Whittendale to join the research program he had recommended, his face lit up with joy. I could even see tears welling up in his eyes.

“That’s wonderful,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “You truly are the most brilliant student this school has ever had—a shining star. I’ll prepare the paperwork immediately.”

After signing the documents, I started heading back to class. But on my way, I was intercepted by Zach Davidson, my other childhood best friend.

With a wide grin on his face, he strode toward me.

“Nic finally confessed to you, didn’t he?” he said, raising his hand for a high-five.

Without bothering to let him get any closer, I sidestepped his path and walked away.

He stood there, frozen in place, his expression a mix of confusion and awkwardness. His raised hand hung in midair, unacknowledged.

In my past life, I married him, thinking he was my salvation. Instead, it turned out to be an even bigger joke.

As the core of our childhood trio, Zach had always been kind and attentive to me. I used to think of him as my closest confidant, even my hero—the boy who jumped into the river to save me when I fell in at the age of five, risking his life to pull me out.

But who could have imagined that Zach, the same boy who once saved my life, would later betray me so cruelly for Kim’s sake?

In my previous life, not only did he abandon me, but after my death, he couldn’t wait to use his status as my husband to sign the organ donation papers. He authorized the surgical removal of every usable organ in my body, all for Kim’s benefit, ensuring they were stored in a cold vault as her backups.

“Andy, are you mad? Did I say something wrong?” Zach caught up to me, his voice tinged with feigned concern.

He was undeniably handsome, with a great acting to match. If I hadn’t experienced everything firsthand, I might have fallen for his façade all over again.

“Yeah, I am mad. I don’t want anything to do with you, Zach. From now on, don’t talk me. We’re not friends anymore.”

I delivered the words coldly, then quickened my pace, leaving him behind.

Although I had signed the confidentiality agreement, I still had to attend my remaining classes.

I was determined to show Kim that even without a guaranteed recommendation, her college entrance exam scores would never surpass mine.

Her mother may have forced her way into my family, bullying my mom and driving her away, but I wasn’t someone to be trifled with. For my mom’s sake, I had to stand my ground and win.

As for Nicholas and Zach, if Kim wanted them, she could have them. They were not worth fighting for.

When I arrived at the classroom door, I saw a large group of students gathered around Kim’s seat, chattering animatedly.

Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they gossiped, speculating about what had happened between Nicholas and me.

“Andrea is so petty and weird. She doesn’t deserve someone like Nicholas!” Kim’s voice rang out above the chatter.

Kim was in her element, basking in the attention. When she caught sight of me entering the room, she didn’t stop. No, she pushed harder, her words like knives aimed directly at me.

“Isn’t that right, sis? You were so afraid of losing to me that you tore up your guaranteed recommendation?” she said, her tone laced with mockery.

“And now, just because Nicholas gave me a ride, you’re throwing a tantrum and breaking up with him? Honestly andy, you need to stop being so stubborn. Life doesn’t revolve around y—”

Before she could finish, I marched up to her and slapped her across the face.

The sound of it snapped the room into silence. Everyone froze, their eyes wide as they turned to look at us.

“What are you doing?” Kim shouted, her voice trembling with shock and anger.

The murmurs started immediately.

“What’s gotten into Andrea? She’s acting like a completely different person today. And now she’s even hitting her sister.”

“Looks like Kim was right all along. Andrea’s all about putting up a fake high-and-mighty act, but deep down, she’s just petty and mean.”

I sneered at the whispers and scanned the room with a cold glare. Those speaking up against me instantly fell silent.

Kim’s face turned red with anger, her eyes brimming with tears. She raised her hand, ready to slap me back, but I act fast. I grabbed her wrist and slammed it onto the desk, pinning her in place.

“You want a bet? Fine, I’ll take you on,” I said, my voice low but firm. “Listen Kim, I ignored your little games before because I didn’t want to stoop to your level. But don’t mistake my patience for weakness.”

“You’re just like your mother,” I continued, leaning in so only she could hear. “You play the sweet and innocent girl in front of men, but behind the scenes, you’re as vicious as they come.”

“Remember this,” I said sharply, releasing her with a shove. “Don’t come near me again, or you’ll regret it.”

Kim collapsed onto the desk, sobbing quietly. None of the other students dared to approach her. The tension in the room was suffocating, but I felt a sense of relief. I’d stood up for myself and it felt good. I returned to my seat, opened my book and continued reading as if nothing had happened.

After one more study session, the school day finally came to an end.

As usual, my mom was waiting for me at the school gates. Kim used to stop and throw out a few snide comments every time she saw her. But today, she sped past us without a word, her head down.

I trailed behind her, meeting my mom’s confused gaze. A wave of bitterness welled up in my chest. Why did they always target her? Why did my mom, who’d done nothing wrong, have to endure their bullying?

I clenched my fists. Not anymore. I wouldn’t let them hurt her anymore.

When we got home, my mom made all my favorite dishes for dinner.

“I heard the recommendation letter finally arrived,” she said with a smile. “You’ve worked so hard. Now I don’t have to worry about you anymore.”

“Mom…” I hesitated, my appetite fading. “I tore it up. I don’t want to go to Whittendale University,” I admitted quietly.

Her eyes widened in shock.

“But don’t worry,” I quickly added. “I signed a confidentiality agreement. After graduation, I’ll go straight to a research institute to continue my studies.”

My mom stared at me, stunned. “Why didn’t you discuss this with me first? Wasn’t Whittendale always been your dream, with Nicholas and Zach?”

I lowered my gaze, the memories of my past life flashing through my mind. Slowly, I told her everything—everything I’d gone through in that other timeline.

“I know it sounds crazy,” I said, my voice shaking. “But it’s the truth. I lived through it all. Mom, we can’t go through that nightmare again. We can’t sacrifice our lives for people who don’t care about us.”

She was silent for a long time. Just when I thought she wouldn’t believe me, she spoke.

“I believe you,” she said softly. “I’ve been having strange dreams lately too. Dreams so real, they felt like memories. But I kept telling myself the opposite had to be true.”

She sighed, her expression hardening. “My marriage wasn’t happy. All I ever wanted was for you to marry someone who truly loved you. If Nicholas isn’t the right one, then forget him.”

Relief washed over me and I threw my arms around her.

We only had each other. And in this life, I was going to protect her no matter what.

As for my teacher, they’d already been informed by Mr. Hanson and didn’t even bother asking me about the torn recommendation.