Chapter 1
My boyfriend, Ryan Carter, suddenly lost his memory and fell for a girl he always hated, Chloe Evans.
Devastated and desperate, I, Sophia Linwood, couldn't stop lashing out at them. In return, he turned into the leader of the bullies targeting me, all to shield his new love.
Everything shattered one rainy night, when men he sent violated me in the darkest way.
Just before I died, glowing floating texts flashed before my eyes.
[Poor second female lead... She has no idea the heroine has a system.]
[Every bit of pain she feels makes the male lead love the heroine more. And the heroine steals her looks and luck, too.]
[Why pity her? It just shows how jealous she really is.]
That was when it hit me. My whole life had been used as fuel for someone else's love story.
Given a second chance, when Chloe smirked and showed me the photo of her and Ryan, I just smiled.
I gripped my pen and said, "Hope you guys last forever."
This time, I was done crying over boys.
This time, I was walking my own shining path straight to the top.
*****
"Sophia, today marks one hundred days since Ryan and I got together. You're going to wish us well, aren't you?" Chloe's voice was sugary sweet, oozing with fake sincerity.
During the break, she marched right up to me and shoved her phone in my face like it was a trophy.
In the photo, Ryan held Chloe tight, their cheeks pressed together. They looked like the perfect couple straight out of a teen drama.
Students gathered around, chiming in without hesitation.
"You two are literally perfect for each other! Chloe, you're too nice. After everything Sophia's done, you still want her blessing."
"You're stunning, Chloe. If I were Ryan, I'd pick you, too. Anyone can see who the real catch is."
"Sophia's bitterness is written all over her face. She's so consumed by jealousy that she's probably wishing you both dead behind your backs.
"Chloe, you're gorgeous and rich. What does Sophia even have to compete with that?"
It had been six months since Ryan brutally dumped me for Chloe.
In my previous life, jealousy ate me alive. I never noticed my face growing plainer by the day, or my family's business slowly crumbling.
Meanwhile, Chloe, once pimple-skinned, chubby, and Ryan's least favorite person, had transformed into the campus queen: wealthy, beautiful, and universally adored.
It wasn't until I was dying that I finally understood: Chloe was bound to a system that stole everything meant for me.
She even rewrote Ryan's memories, swapping our places, making me the obsessive stalker he despised.
This time, I stayed silent. Chloe made sure to tilt her phone screen right under my nose.
"Sophia, even though Ryan chose me over you, we can still be friends, right?" Her tone was dripping with false sweetness.
"Ryan gave me this diamond ring. It's way too much. Honestly, I feel like I can't even wear it without your blessing." She bit her lip, putting on a teary-eyed look.
She was playing the victim, convinced it would push me over the edge.
But instead, I just smiled calmly and kept taking notes.
"Looks nice. Hope you guys last forever," I said, my voice cool and detached.
"Mind moving? I've got studying to do," I added, not even glancing her way.
Chloe, this time I wouldn't waste my life over some guy.
The room fell silent.
Normally, I'd slam the desk and scream at her. Tearing into her would've been a mild reaction.
But now, as I sat there completely unbothered, everyone stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
Chloe narrowed her eyes, studying me carefully. "Sophia, if you're upset, just say so. You don't have to pretend," she said, oozing fake concern.
"You can punish me however you want. Even if you slap me again like last time, I'll take it." She put on her best pitiful expression, even fake-sniffling for effect.
Then she grabbed my hand, trying to make me hit her myself.
Just then, a sharp voice cut through from the doorway. Before I could react, I was yanked aside.
My waist slammed into the edge of the desk. Ryan rushed over, concern etched on his face, and pulled Chloe protectively into his arms.
Ryan said, "Are you hurt? How many times do I have to tell you not to engage with someone like her? She's toxic, and you're too soft-hearted."
Chloe bit her lip, putting on her wounded act. "I'm fine, Ryan. If it makes Sophia feel better, I don't mind.
"I just miss how close we all used to be... Sophia, can't we be friends again?"
But her words only made Ryan angrier.
He pointed straight at me, his voice rising. "Sophia, are you happy now?
"How many times do I have to say it? I never liked you. What will it take for you to leave Chloe alone?
"Apologize to her right now, or I won't go easy on you."
His eyes narrowed, cold and warning.