Chapter 2

Helen shot Madeline a cold look and said, "Maddie, stop this. You chose first; you can't just change your mind now. Parents aren't market fruit to exchange just because you prefer Evelyn's. That's rude."

After saying that, Helen glanced awkwardly at Lynn and Rebecca. She said, "I didn't mean to make it sound like you're fruit on display, I just."

Her embarrassment only deepened.

I reached out and took Helen's hand, said gently, "Don't worry, Ms. Smith. If Maddie wants to choose Ms. Hughes, then I'll pick Ms. Anderson. I really like the candy Ms. Anderson gave me."

A flash of disdain flickered in Rebecca's eyes.

Lynn's eyes filled with tears. She said, "Sweetheart, from the moment I saw you, I felt so close to you. Don't worry, I'll take good care of you from now on."

Helen was trying to keep her emotions in check as she said, "Evelyn, are you really sure about this? Parents aren't like fruit; once you pick, you can't just swap them back."

Even when Madeline and I traded fruit, I never got mine back.

But last time, I was happy to trade, and this time, I was, too.

Helen was obviously trying to remind me that Rebecca's family was richer.

Madeline said, "Helen, why are you being so biased? Evelyn and I already made our choices. Ms. Hughes hasn't even said anything, so why are you making such a fuss?"

Helen was so furious that she was almost speechless. She said, "You."

Madeline never really respected Helen.

Seeing Helen about to say something else, I quickly said, "Ms. Smith, I really want to choose Ms. Anderson. I like her a lot."

Helen caught the sincerity in my eyes, paused, and just let it drop.

Rebecca was running out of patience, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

That look made me shrink back. In my previous life, whenever I saw that in her eyes, it always meant a beating was coming my way.

Helen probably thought I was just being shy, and gently patted my hand.

Rebecca turned to Helen and asked, "Ms. Smith, can I just confirm one last thing? Do these two kids have the same blood type?"

Helen's gaze shifted uneasily before she answered, "Both notes say O negative."

Rebecca said, "Fine, since Evelyn wants someone else, I'll take Maddie. Maddie, go pack your stuff and come with us. And don't bother bringing anything you don't need."

Lynn smiled at me and said, "Evelyn, go get your things together, too. We're heading out."

Madeline and I nodded and went off to pack.

As soon as we got back to the dorm, Madeline blocked my way. She said, "Evelyn, don't blame me. In this life, I'm taking back what should have been mine."

I pretended not to understand. I asked, "Maddie, what are you talking about? This life? Are you feeling alright?"

A look of scorn flickered in Madeline's eyes as she stared at me like I was beneath her.

"Of course, you have no idea what happened. All those good days you enjoyed? This time, they're all mine. The pretty clothes, the jewelry, the glory, even the husband, I'm gladly taking it all for myself," Madeline said with a smug grin.

Inside, I was barely suppressing a burst of laughter, my body trembling a little as I asked, "Maddie, I really don't get what you're talking about."

"Of course you don't. Just know that from now on, I'm the rich girl, and you? You'll be stuck living a hard life with your adoptive parents for the rest of your days," Madeline said.

With that, she didn't bother packing a single thing. She turned her back on me with a look of pure disdain. She said, "I don't need any of this junk."

She didn't even look back as she walked out.

Our roommates only dared to come over and help me pack after Madeline had left.

I packed up my things with care, making sure not to leave anything behind.

Since she and I always had our stuff mixed together, while sorting through everything, I came across her abandonment note.

It said that Madeline wasn't type O at all; she was type A.

I paused for a moment, a wave of satisfaction washing over me.

Hope everything Madeline was after in this life was something she could actually handle.