I get picked up by the cops in the middle of the night for street vending. While questioning me, they pull up my file.

One officer eyes me suspiciously through my mask and asks, "What's a Clairefield University graduate like you doing selling stuff on the street at midnight?"

I freeze and lean over to look at the file. The ID number matches mine, but the photo has been replaced with one of Madison Bass.

That's when it hits me—20 years ago, I was the one who got accepted to Clairefield University!

Dazed and numb, I stumble home only to hear my husband, Joseph Gunther, speaking on the phone. "Madison, don't worry. I won't let Lucy interfere with your life. Just go abroad in peace."

It's him! Joseph helped Madison steal my identity and my future.

My stomach twists. I turn to confront him, to expose the truth. But before I can, he strangles me to death with a belt.

"I'm sorry, Lucy. You can't ruin Madison's future…"

When I open my eyes again, I'm back in the classroom. Our homeroom teacher is handing out university application forms.

This time, I'm taking my life back.

"Lucy, have you decided which university you want to apply to?"

I was brought back to the present when I heard my deskmate Olivia Peterson's voice. I had been drowning in the sensation of being suffocated just a second ago. When I looked at Olivia's young and unfamiliar face, I realized that I had been given another chance at life.

"Lucy, what's wrong?"

Joy washed over me as I shook my head vigorously.

Frank Gunther, our homeroom teacher, said, "Fill in your university application forms, please, so I can get an idea of which universities you want to apply to."

I stared at Frank, recalling how he was Joseph Gunther's father. Our academic results were released a long time ago. The truth was that we didn't need to fill in the physical application forms; we could have just filled in the electronic version of it at home on our computers. But Frank had made up an excuse to have all the students drop by the school.

From the looks of it, he had done so to pick the best candidate to exchange places with Madison Bass.

I curled my hand into a tight fist when I recalled my past life. Joseph had started pursuing me around this time.

I stared at the application form before carelessly filling in the empty spaces. I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but I could feel Frank's eyes on me. As expected, Frank called out to me after everyone had submitted their forms. "Lucy, please follow me to the teacher's office."

He picked up the stack of forms and left the classroom.

Olivia tugged on my arm and said, "Your results were amazing. You'll definitely be able to get into Clairefield University."

With a score of 702, I had ranked highest in my class, yet my application to Clairefield University was still rejected in my past life. I had sought out Frank multiple times after that, but he had only told me that I had aimed too high, that my ambitions were out of reach of my capabilities.

However, Frank had also been the one to suggest that I apply for a law major.

I glanced at Joseph, who was sleeping in the corner of the classroom, before nodding at Olivia. I wasn't going to make the same mistakes in this life.

I pushed the door open to the teacher's office, notifying Frank of my presence. He asked, "Lucy, why did you choose these schools when you scored so well during the exams?"

I had chosen several community colleges as my dream schools.

"Their graduates have high employment rates," I answered, emphasizing each word.

Frank fell silent for a moment before he spoke again. "You shouldn't make such careless decisions. You should study law."

He turned on his computer as he spoke, navigating to the university application form page. My eyes were filled with condescension as I stared at the page. Was he going to force me to complete the form since I was being uncooperative? He was going to replace my name with Madison's, wasn't he?

"There's no need, Mr. Gunther. I like operating tractors."

I turned on my heel and left after saying my piece, running into Joseph, who had just entered the teacher's office. He said, "Lucy, if you're unsure about anything on the university application form, feel free to ask me. I've always wanted to study law."

My heart prickled upon hearing his words. So that was what Frank and Joseph were planning. They were trying to coerce me into applying to be a law major. However, I refused to let them get their way this time around.

I nodded. "Thanks, but no thanks. I've already decided on my major."

Joseph's eyes drooped as he smiled at me. "Alright then."

I made a swift exit from the office. When I saw Joseph shut the door behind him, I doubled back and stood outside to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Dad, if Lucy refuses to cooperate, can't we just pick someone else?"

My heart hammered in my chest when I heard Joseph's words. I couldn't believe that he wanted to victimize another student!

Frank's tone was icy as he said, "Lucy has the best results, so she's our best shot. I'm sure you're aware that our family owes Madison a debt."

I turned around and left. My heart was filled with disdain. They owed Madison, yet they wanted to use my life to clear their debt? I couldn't believe it.

In my past life, after I got together with Joseph, I would wake up at the crack of dawn every day to study to prepare for the follow-up exam. Joseph had told me that he would help me register for it, but he had broken his promise. He explained that it was because the higher-ups were extremely strict and didn't allow me to take the exam.

I had trusted him.

I had then expressed my desire to take the exam next year. He had told me that there was no use in my taking the exam, but I had insisted.

On the day of the exam, my alarm didn't go off. I had asked Joseph if he was responsible for switching it off, but he had looked at me innocently, claiming that he had only done so because he was worried that I wouldn't get the rest I needed.

My entire body had shaken with anger. Joseph hugged me and said, "Lucy, let's get married. I don't care if you pass or fail the exam. I'll always love you."

I had cried for a long time as I leaned against him. The exam questions had even starred in my dreams, so I had been reluctant to give up.

Later, Joseph told me that one of his projects had been hit with an immense debt, and he couldn't figure out how to pay it off. I was madly in love with him then, so I had crawled out of bed in the early hours of the morning to earn more money. I had worked three to four jobs a day at the time to put food on the table.

Reflecting on my past life, I realized that Joseph had only gotten together with me to keep me under his thumb. He had been worried that I would ruin Madison's future, so he had sabotaged mine at every turn.

I returned to the classroom, packed up my things, and left the school. When I returned home, I received a text message from Olivia, informing me that Joseph was looking for me everywhere.

I sent her a callous reply. It appeared that Joseph hadn't given up on his scheme yet.

My parents, Lucius Charon and Rebecca Millard, usually worked abroad. When they learned about my results, they transferred a large sum of money into my account and ordered a cake for me. They told me that they could only return home next month.

I understood that they were busy with their jobs. If they missed one day of work, it meant that they would miss a day's salary.

I wasn't in a rush to submit my university application form as I still had two more days to do so. Although I wasn't anxious at all, somebody else clearly was.

That evening, when I left the house for a stroll, I bumped into Joseph. He smiled at me and said, "Lucy, what a pleasant coincidence."

"Don't you live in Westview?" I asked.

"I'm in the neighbourhood to handle some business," he replied smoothly, his expression as natural as possible. "Where are you going? Let me accompany you."

"No need. Stay away from me," I coldly refused.

Joseph was momentarily stunned, a flicker of hurt crossing his face. "You… Do you hate me that much?"

I glared at him. "Yes, I despise you. Stay away from me."

Joseph could feel air getting stuck in his throat. He didn't understand my reaction. He was well-liked and was even crowned the campus king. He didn't understand why I hated him so much.

If it weren't a crime, I would have stabbed him to death with a knife. The sooner I could end his life, the better.

"Lucy, you should at least give me a reason why you hate me so much," he mumbled in a low voice while staring at me unwaveringly.

I couldn't deny that Joseph was good-looking. I wouldn't have fallen for him as hard as I did in my past life if he weren't.

A voice suddenly echoed toward us from a distance away. "Joseph, what are you doing here?"

Madison came running toward us. I noticed Joseph's entire body stiffened when she clung to his arm. It was my first time seeing Madison up close. She was the person who had stolen my future from me in my previous life.

"Who are you?" Madison asked while eyeing me warily.

I smiled. "Lucy Charon, Joseph's classmate."

Madison's expression twisted slightly. "Didn't you say you would buy me some snacks, Joseph?"

So his appearance here had been a coincidence after all.

"I forgot," he answered smoothly. "You can head home first. I still have some business to attend to."

Madison raised her voice and asked, "Joseph, what do you mean?"

Joseph then ushered Madison away. I couldn't hear what he told Madison before he returned to my side. "She's my mother's friend's daughter, Lucy," he explained.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.

"I like you. I didn't want you to misunderstand," he said solemnly.

Disgust churned in my stomach upon hearing his words. We were back to this again.

"I don't like you. I feel sick just looking at you," I said coldly.

Joseph's complexion turned pale. He clenched his fist and asked, "What did I do wrong?"

I glared at him before declaring, "You're too ugly." He was also despicable, though I did not voice this part aloud.

Joseph's lips parted, looking as if he had something to say. I couldn't be bothered to continue arguing with him, so I continued walking forward.

"Lucy Charon, I won't give up!" Joseph shouted from behind me.

I scoffed inwardly. There was no way he could alter my decision, not with only two days left. I had decided to submit my university application form at the very last second. That way, they wouldn't have any opportunity to have Madison take my place.

The next day, after I returned home from school, I noticed that a sea of roses had been placed around my door.

Joseph stood in the corridor. He was tall and fit, and he carried himself with an impressive air. He stared at me and said, "My confession yesterday was too sloppy, so I'm here to give you a proper one, Lucy."

"No matter how sincere you are, I will never like you," I replied icily.

"Who do you like? Is there someone out there who is more handsome than me?" Joseph demanded, sounding panicked.

I grabbed my keys and was about to enter my house when Joseph blocked my way. "Lucy, I really like you. I want to enroll in Delasaint University with you."

I shot him a strange look. I had never said that I wanted to study law. I smiled before saying, "Sorry, but you won't make it with your abysmal results. You should give up, trash."

Joseph's tone turned calm. "Lucy, could you speak to me more politely?"

I kept silent as I glared at him.

"If you've decided on studying law, you should fill in and submit your application form as soon as possible."

I was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to tease him. "I'm not going to study law. I'm going to learn how to operate a tractor."

I could see a nerve twitching in Joseph's temple. I pushed open the door and stepped inside before closing it forcefully, nearly slamming it into Joseph's nose in the process.

The next day, I received a barrage of text messages. The other students had found out that the campus king had confessed his love to me. I didn't need to think twice to know that Joseph had spread the news himself.

Frank called me multiple times, but I ignored all his calls. A few seconds later, he called again. He didn't beat around the bush and immediately declared, "You're a wonderful lady, Lucy. I approve of you dating Joseph."

He had also approved of my relationship with Joseph in my past life. At the time, I felt relieved that Frank didn't shun me for failing to enroll in any university.

"My son has always wanted to study law and become an excellent lawyer. I hope that you'll work hard with him."

A smile played on my lips, and my eyes sparkled as I curtly said, "Okay."

Frank was stunned for a moment. When he next spoke, he sounded pleased. "I'm very happy that you've agreed."

I disconnected the call before bursting into a peal of near-maniacal giggles. I had just changed my mind. It would indeed be fun to mess around with them.

I was determined to make sure Madison never got into any university. Besides, I was afraid that they'd just find another victim if I didn't go along with their demands.

Joseph swiftly sought me out after he received the news that I had agreed to become a couple with him. "Have you submitted your application form?" he asked.

"Not yet. I'll do it tomorrow."

He breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing my words. "Do you want to go out with me? It so happens that my friend is hosting a gathering."

"Okay," I agreed, nodding.

Joseph still felt a little uncertain as he looked at me. He didn't understand why my behavior had done a complete 180. However, there was nothing that he could do. After all, he was the one who was running out of time.

Madison was also at the gathering. She rolled her eyes when she saw me.

"Madison, are your eyes cramping?" I asked her bluntly.

"Huh?" She looked bewildered.

"Why did you roll your eyes at me? If you do it again, I'll poke your eyes out."

Madison shot to her feet, but Joseph forced her back into her seat. "Madison, don't be so childish."

Madison's eyes had reddened from fury. "How dare you speak to me like that, Joseph!"

I lifted my hand and slapped her hard across her cheek, causing everyone present to freeze. Madison cradled her cheek while Joseph's expression twisted.

"Lucy!" Madison exclaimed. "How dare you slap me!"