Chapter 1

My boyfriend, Leon Ford, stole my academic paper to help his childhood sweetheart, Anna Young, land a spot at her dream university.

Not only did they beat me to publishing my own work, but they even had the nerve to accuse me of plagiarism.

Once the whole mess hit the internet, the trolls tore me apart, and I spiraled into deep depression.

Meanwhile, Anna basked in the spotlight of the academic world, all thanks to my paper.

On the day Anna got her award, Leon proposed to her. That was the day I jumped off the rooftop, ending everything in misery.

Next thing I knew, I opened my eyes and was back on the day I had just finished my report.

*****

"Jane? Jane!" Suddenly, urgent voices called out to me, snapping me back to reality. The person who was supposed to be at Anna's award ceremony was sitting right in front of me.

I hesitated, touching my wrist; the spots that had been shattered from my fall were now perfectly intact.

Could it be that...

Was I transcended?

Leon asked, "Jane, what's up? You've been spaced out since earlier. Are you exhausted from staying up late working on your report?

"Oh, and didn't I say you should bring it over so I could help you fix it up? Did you bring it?"

It wasn't until Leon mentioned the report again that it hit me. I was transcended.

In my previous life, Leon used that line to get me to give him my report, saying he'd help with the final edits and told me to take it easy.

I never guarded myself against him. I trusted him without a second thought.

But he went behind my back and handed my work to Anna, his childhood sweetheart.

The two of them teamed up to publish my paper before I could, and when I unknowingly published it again, they framed me for plagiarism.

No one listened to my explanation. Once it hit the internet, the trolls tore me apart, and I spiraled into deep depression.

When I confronted Leon, he glanced at me, totally indifferent.

He said, "You've always been so smart, winning awards left and right since you were a kid. So what if you let Anna win for once?

"Stop being so dramatic. It's just a few people talking trash; can't you suck it up and move on?"

Later, Anna really became a star in academia, all thanks to my report.

But I couldn't handle the endless abuse anymore, so I jumped off the rooftop and ended my life in despair.

That was the very day Leon proposed to Anna at her award ceremony.

The memories hit me hard, and I could almost feel the pain of my body breaking apart all over again.

I pushed aside the sick feeling in my stomach, shook my head, and told Leon a lie.

"No, I forgot to bring it," I said.

"You forgot it? Seriously? How many times have I told you? It's such a simple thing; how dumb can you be?" Leon snapped.

Here we went again.

Every time I couldn't do what Leon asked, he'd never miss a chance to insult me.

In my previous life, I was hopelessly blinded by love. For Leon's illusory affection, I kept swallowing my pride and lowering myself to keep our relationship going.

It wasn't until right before I died that I realized he had been into Anna for years. I was nothing but his second choice, a tool to provoke Anna.

But now that life had handed me a second chance, there was no way I was ever going to be that weak and miserable again.

I let out a cold laugh and quietly pulled my hand back from Leon's grip.

I said, "What's got you so riled up? All you said about editing was just helping me proofread for typos, right?

"Honestly, you can't even understand what I wrote, so what's the point of you editing it?

"Or, is there another reason you want my report?"

Maybe it was because I exposed him, or maybe it was the first time I had ever thrown shade at him, but Leon looked instantly uncomfortable.

He paused for a moment, then forced a smile and wrapped his arms around me.

Leon said, "No way, I'm just worried about you, that's all. I got a little flustered because I care. Give it to me next time, it's all good.

"Never mind, let's not talk about it. Anna and the others are already waiting at the restaurant. I'll take you over."

When Leon mentioned the restaurant, it hit me. There really was a dinner like this in my previous life. Back then, I was so wrapped up in digging through research materials that I turned down the invitation.

And thanks to Leon and Anna's plotting, I got labeled as jealous and antisocial.

Seeing Leon avoid my gaze, I gave him a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

Now that I knew everything ahead of time, this time, I was going to make them suffer as I did and make them pay for it.