I was lost in thought when Nicole swiftly changed into the dress I had just bought.

Anyone unaware might have thought she was the star of today's birthday party.

At that moment, Nicole received a call and urged me. "Hannah, Steward's rushing us. Let's go."

I frowned.

"But I haven't decided what to wear yet.

"You're wearing the dress I bought for my birthday."

A flash of mockery crossed Nicole's eyes.

"Oh, you can just wear that T-shirt. You don't have a good chest or hips; and you don't look good in a dress anyway.

"But I have curves, so this dress fits me perfectly."

Saying this, Nicole dragged me out.

By the time we reached the restaurant, our classmates and a few close friends were already waiting.

Amidst everyone's cheers, a staff member pushed out a person-sized gift box.

I pretended to be surprised and untied the ribbon on the box.

As the box opened, Steward Lambert emerged, holding a bouquet of roses.

"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Hannah!"

Steward gave me a big hug, and in my previous life, I was so immersed in the surprise that I didn't notice Nicole's darkened expression.

It turned out that in my past life, her prank on me during the photo was out of jealousy.

He said it was a joke, but he did it on purpose.

Seeing me dazed, Steward handed me a gift.

"Hannah, I saw you eyeing this camera for a long time, so I secretly had someone get it for you.

"Today, let's use it to capture some memories."

In my previous life, I was genuinely happy, taking many photos with friends using that camera.

Towards the end, a girl wanted a photo with Steward.

Steward, likely tired, struggled to smile.

And Nicole, trying to make him laugh, gave me an over-the-shoulder throw.

My arm hit a decorative stone in the restaurant.

The severe pain almost made me faint.

Steward, seeing my misfortune, couldn't help but laugh, his brightest smile captured by the camera.

But when I, enduring the pain, prepared to hold her accountable, I saw Nicole hiding behind Steward with a smug look,

"Oh, I didn't mean it. I was just joking with Hannah. I didn't expect her to be so fragile.

"But if it made Steward smile, it was worth it."

"Besides, Hannah is studying medicine; it should be no big deal for her, right?"

But when I saw the doctor's furrowed brow, my heart sank.

The doctor said I had a compound fracture in my right arm and would never be able to hold a scalpel again.

Nicole was shocked when she found out.

She shed a few crocodile tears, claiming she would cut off her own arm to atone.

Steward quickly stopped her, gently comforting her.

But did he forget that I was the real victim?

After the surgery, Ingrid arrived.

When she looked at the bandage on my arm, her eyes instantly turned red.

"Hannah, it must hurt a lot."

"Nicole was too careless with her jokes. Apologize to Hannah, hurry!"

I suppressed the pain and coldly said, "No need for apologies.

"Let the police handle this. Whether it was a joke or intentional, the harm is done."

But before I could finish, Steward protested, "Hannah, Nicole and I grew up together. I know her joke went too far, but calling the police is unnecessary.

"After all, we'll be seeing each other often after we get married. How awkward would that be?"

"I know you're in pain, but this could be a blessing in disguise. Being a medical student is exhausting. Take this opportunity to rest. Don't worry, I'll take good care of you."

At this point, Ingrid interjected, "Nicole's uncle is a major client of our company. As our future daughter-in-law, if you strain relations with the Eliot family over this, what will happen to the business cooperation?

"Calling the police would be disgrace to our family. I won't allow it."

I wanted to say more, but Steward cut me off, "Hannah, your arm is already broken. Why ruin our relationship with the Eliots over it?"

"Nicole didn't mean it; she's like a sister to me. I hope you can see her as a sister, too.

"Besides, she is younger than you, so can you just forgive her this time?"

Steward's words left me speechless with anger.

I was only a month older than Nicole. Why should I forgive her recklessness?

But in my previous life, I was foolish enough to listen to Steward's suggestion.

Over time, he became increasingly indifferent to me, and I developed depression.

On our fifth anniversary, Steward didn't come home until late.

Then, I saw Nicole's post on Instagram - a photo of her kissing Steward.

She even showed off the ring on her ring finger.

Caption: [Announcement: The best proposal from the one I love most. Everything is just perfect.]

After seeing it, I went to the top floor barefoot and jumped down from the roof.

But this time, I swear I won't let such a tragedy befall me again.

Looking at the new camera, I smiled at Steward Lambert and said, "It's almost graduation, and it's rare for everyone to be together.

"Let's take some photos to remember this moment.

"Let's start with a picture of you and Nicole."

Nicole's eyes showed a hint of surprise at my suggestion, and she didn't refuse. Instead, she immediately took Steward's arm.

Steward wrapped his arm around her waist. They looked like a couple.

In the end, just like in my previous life, a younger girl blushed and asked for a photo with Steward.

I nodded in agreement, handed the camera to a friend, and then quietly walked over to Nicole.

As the shutter was about to click, I swiftly gave Nicole an over-the-shoulder throw.

Caught off guard, Nicole fell to the ground, stunned for a moment before she screamed and started crying.

In my previous life, Steward laughed when I tripped. This time, however, his face was dark and frightening.

Nicole clung to Steward, crying pitifully, "Hannah, why did you throw me? The floor here is so hard and full of stones. If I hit one, my arm would be ruined!"

When I threw Nicole, I had deliberately avoided the stone that had caused my compound fracture in the previous life.

But from Nicole's reaction, it was clear she knew what would have happened.

It confirmed she had done it on purpose before.

I smiled, then pretended to check her arm anxiously.

"Nicole, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to throw you. I just saw Steward's stiff expression and wanted to joke to lighten the mood. You won't hold it against me, will you?

"And look, your arm is fine."

Nicole glared at me.

"Joke? I think you did it on purpose.

"I came to help you celebrate your birthday, and you repay me by hurting me? Hannah, you're vicious."

Steward had called for an ambulance and stepped away for a moment.

I looked at Nicole mockingly.

"Even if I did it on purpose, so what? It's just a hurt arm. No need to make such a fuss."

Nicole didn't expect me to admit it. She was furious, her face turning red.

She then pinched her injured arm and started crying louder.

As soon as Steward heard her, he rushed back.

"Nicole, what's wrong? Does your arm hurt again?"

Nicole had tears in her eyes, and a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes.

"Steward, Hannah threw me on purpose, and when you were gone, she tried to hurt me again. I'm so scared."

The paramedics arrived and checked Nicole.

The result showed that her arm was just slightly sprained and would be fine after a few days' rest.

There was no need for a hospital visit.

But Nicole continued to lie on the floor, refusing to get up.

"Hannah hurt me on purpose. Just because my injury isn't severe doesn't mean she shouldn't be held responsible. It was an attempted murder!"

I knew it. Nicole wanted Steward to stand up for her.

Compared to his unconditional support to Nicole in my previous life, I was curious about his reaction this time.

Unexpectedly, Steward pulled me aside and whispered, "Hannah, why don't you apologize to Nicole?

"After all, she was hurt because of you. You should at least give her some excuse and give her a way out, right?"

Seeing Steward's anxious expression, I found it funny.

In my previous life, when I broke my arm, Steward defended Nicole, saying it was unintentional and asked me to forgive her.

This time, when Nicole got hurt, he still wanted me to apologize.

No matter what, I was always the one to blame.

I looked at the man I had loved for so many years and coldly said, "Fine, I'll apologize, but you have to promise me something."

As I agreed to apologize, Steward immediately agreed without hesitation.

"Sure, anything you want, Hannah. You're so understanding. I knew I found a good wife."

I couldn't help but scoffed inwardly.

"Screw your understanding wife! I'm done with it!" I thought.

I walked over to Nicole.

"It's my fault today. I shouldn't have joked with you like that."

Nicole snorted and handed me a glass of wine.

"You want my forgiveness? Drink this glass, and we'll call it even."

I glanced at Steward, but he deliberately avoided my gaze.

Both he and Nicole knew I was allergic to alcohol. Drinking this amount of wine would definitely send me to the hospital.

Yet he pretended not to notice.

No matter if it was the previous life or this one, his favoritism was blatant.

I had been blind to trusting the wrong person.

Calming my emotions, I was about to refuse.

Unexpectedly, a glass of wine was poured over my head.

All the classmates who had come to celebrate were shocked into silence.

I stared blankly as Steward set down the glass.

He looked at Nicole apologetically, "Nicole, Hannah is allergic to alcohol and can't drink.

"Take this as her apology, okay?"

Nicole burst into laughter at my disheveled appearance.

"Fine, I'll forgive Hannah this time for your sake, Steward."

Grabbing some tissues, I roughly wiped the wine off my face and hurried to the hospital.

But Steward still stayed there to comfort Nicole.

The birthday party ended amid the gloating and pitying looks of the classmates around me.

After the birthday party, Steward Lambert acted as if nothing had happened and came to find me to study together in the library.

I looked at him with a mocking expression.

"Steward, let's break up."

Steward's smile froze.

"Hannah, why? I've even introduced you to my mom, and she likes you. Why are you suddenly talking about breaking up?"

"Is it because of Nicole? Just over this small matter, you want to break up with me? I told you, Nicole is like a sister who grew up next door. Why can't you just tolerate her a bit?

"Hannah, you've changed. Where did the understanding you?"

I had intended for a peaceful breakup, but Steward's reproach infuriated me.

I ripped off my mask in anger.

"Steward, look closely. These red rashes on my face are your doing!

"Think what you want, but there's no way I'll be your girlfriend.

"Remember what you promised me yesterday? Get lost, I don't want to see you again!"

Steward, thinking I was throwing a tantrum, switched to a different tone.

"Hannah Hicks, don't be ungrateful. I had many excellent girls to choose from but I picked you. Can't you be a bit more sensible?

"Nicole has been pampered since she was a child and is used to being treated like a princess. Why do you have to compete with her?"

I laughed out of frustration.

"What do you mean? Nicole should be forgiven just because she was spoiled from a young age?

"You think the girls from ordinary families deserve to be oppressed?"

Just then, my phone rang. It was my advisor.

As in the previous life, she called to inform me about my postgraduate recommendation.

She hoped I would submit my application promptly since I was the top student in our class.

Standing close enough, Steward overheard the conversation.

He started to brainwash me again, just like in my previous life.

"Hannah, as a girl, you don't need to work so hard on your studies.

"If you're with me, I can ensure a good life for you. In the future, you can stay home comfortably, take care of the kids, and do the housework."

I thought, "Do you mean comfortably watching you climb higher by stepping on me and then dump me?"

Before he could finish, I interrupted, "Break up, and I can give up the postgraduate recommendation. No breakup, and I won't give it up. Choose one."

Steward frowned, thinking for a long while before reluctantly saying, "Hannah, I can break up with you, but I'll never stop loving you."

In the previous life, after my arm was injured, Steward's sweet talk deceived me, and I eventually lost my life.

Hearing these words again now, I felt ironic.

I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, then we break up, and I'll give up the postgraduate recommendation."

Steward nodded sadly, but I saw the relief in his eyes as he turned away.

Watching him walk off, I called my advisor back.

"Professor Lee, I'll submit the postgraduate application tonight.

"Also, I want to report Steward Lambert for plagiarizing his graduation thesis. Please investigate thoroughly."

When the postgraduate recommendation results were out, Steward angrily cornered me.

"Hannah, didn't you say you would give up your spot? Why are you the one who got recommended!?

"You promised if I agreed to break up, you would give up the spot. You went back on your word!"