Chapter 1

My sister Emily Lane and I both traveled back in time.

In her previous life, she was in a public relationship with Ryan Carter, a wealthy socialite from Roynfort. But within months, he broke things off.

She got pregnant before marriage, and though the Carter family eventually let her marry Ryan, they made her life such hell that she ended up losing her mind.

As for me, I married my classmate David Grant, a man from a modest background.

But his research led to breakthrough after breakthrough, and he eventually became the youngest dean in the history of Riverside University.

After we traveled back, Emily looked at me and announced, "Sophia, my dear sister, this time, I'm going to be the dean's wife."

I almost sneered. She had no idea that without me, David wouldn't have become the dean.

*****

My name was Sophia Lane, and Emily was my twin sister.

On our twenty-eighth birthday, Emily tricked me into her room and set it on fire. We both died in the flames.

Later, I opened my eyes and realized I'd traveled back in time.

My family was gathered around, discussing which universities to apply to.

Emily jumped in and claimed Riverside University for herself, instead of following the plan we made last time: I'd go to Riverside, and she'd go to Roynfort.

From the smug look in her eyes, I knew she'd traveled back in time, too.

Emily had always been the sweet-talker, the good girl, and our parents had always favored her.

When she suddenly decided to switch her pick, Mom asked, "Emily, didn't we agree you'd go to Roynfort University? Are you sure you want to change to Riverside University?"

Emily clung to Mom's shoulder, pouting. "Mom, I'm sure. I want to go to Riverside University."

Dad didn't ask me about what I thought. He made the decision. "Anyway, your SAT scores are about the same. It makes no difference who goes to Riverside or Roynfort.

"Sophia, why don't you let Emily have what she wants? She'll go to Riverside, and you'll go to Roynfort."

*****

In our previous lives, I went to Riverside University, and Emily went to Roynfort University.

At Roynfort, she had a wild, high-profile romance with Ryan, a rich guy in Roynfort, but he dumped her before long.

Emily wasn't about to let it go. She pulled every trick in the book and managed to get pregnant.

She hid, gave birth to the baby, and waited at the Carter residence's gate with the child in her arms and a swarm of reporters.

With all the scandals swirling around, the Carters had no choice but to make Ryan marry her.

After the wedding, Ryan was out partying every night, bringing other women home and flaunting his affairs in front of her. His stepmother made sure Emily never had a moment's peace.

Trapped in that gilded cage, Emily miscarried her second child and finally broke down, so our parents had to take her back home.

I focused on my research at Riverside University and ended up marrying David, a classmate from a regular family.

After we got married, David made a name for himself with his research and became the youngest dean in Riverside University's history.

On our twenty-eighth birthday, our parents threw a party for us at home.

Emily asked me to come to her room, saying she had a birthday present for me.

The moment I stepped inside, she drugged me and set the room on fire, planning to kill me in the flames.

With the last bit of strength I had left, I managed to knock her out when she was about to escape, and we both ended up dying in the fire.

The pain from the fire still clung to me, leaving me a little dazed.

Emily leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "They say making the right choice matters more than working hard. This time, I must be right."

I gave her a cool smile. "Whatever works for me."

She had no idea David was average at research. If it weren't for my work, he never would've become dean.

*****

Both Emily and I got into the universities we applied to.

I practically lived in the classroom and library, because before my previous life ended, one of my research projects was at a critical stage.

If I could make a breakthrough, we'd pull ahead of Mireilia in AI technology and take the lead.

But this time, I had to start all over again. I was an undergrad, and there was still a long road ahead before I could get the project off the ground.

I felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders and didn't dare waste a single second.

Emily went to Riverside University, and like before, I could see her showing off at all kinds of events every day on her social media feed.

One day, Mom called and asked me to come home for dinner that weekend. I said, "Okay."

When I got home that weekend and opened the door, the first thing I saw was Emily perched on the couch, looking gentle and cute beside a tall guy.

When Emily spotted me, her face lit up with barely concealed smugness. "Sophia, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, David Grant."

David was tall and handsome, and he always had a way of talking that made him sound smart and reliable. In our previous lives, my parents were pretty satisfied with him, and after he became dean, they bragged about having him as my husband.

This time, judging from the looks on my parents' faces, they were as pleased with him as last time.

David stood up and reached out his hand. "Sophia, nice to meet you. I'm David, Emily's boyfriend."

I answered with a chilly, distant "Hello," and headed straight to my room.

David stood there, visibly awkward, his hands hanging at his sides.

I heard Mom behind me say, "David, don't mind it. Sophia's always been a bit distant."

Emily added in a low voice, "Ignore her. She's never been good with people."

Though Emily and I were twins, we didn't look alike at all, and our personalities couldn't be more different.

She was outgoing, could always read the room, and knew how to win over our parents.

But I was pretty quiet, especially in a crowd.

When we were kids, my parents thought something was wrong with me and took me to get checked out. The psychiatrist said I had a social communication disorder.

Truth was, I didn't see the point in wasting time on stuff that didn't matter to me.

Because of our personalities, my parents had always liked Emily more.

Seeing Emily and David together, my parents were beaming with happiness. David fit their ideal image of a good man perfectly.

Plus, with Emily talking up David's bright future, they liked him more and more and kept loading his plate with food.

I kept my head down, quietly eating, not saying a word.

Maybe trying to break the ice, David turned to me. "Sophia, I heard you're in the same major as us."

I nodded. "Yes."

"I saw a new paper from Professor Charles Woods at Roynfort University. It's really interesting."

Once we started talking about papers, it was like someone hit my "on" button. I couldn't help but open up.

David and I were really getting into it when, out of nowhere, Emily slammed her plate and fork down on the table with a loud bang and stormed off to her room.

David stood there, totally clueless about what he'd done wrong.

Mom shot me a look and then turned to David. "David, go check on Emily and see what's wrong."