Chapter 12 · Reborn at Eighteen, I Choose Myself

Chapter 12

I really didn't want to leave Grandma Foster behind.But not wanting to leave her doesn't mean I have to stick around to marry her grandson.I siad, "It's easy to get around these days."I'll come back during winter and summer breaks."My mom's voice shook with anger. "You dare talk back to me?"You're really willing to throw away your future because you're mad at Alex?"What's wrong with Eastbrook?"The Foster Family knows people over there, and you and Alex can have each other's backs."You've never left home before. Who's gonna take care of you in Riverdale?"I said, "I'm eighteen."I can take care of myself."My mom scoffed coldly. "You think college is about looking after yourself?"Tuition, living expenses, rent, every bit of that costs money."If you think you can handle everything yourself, then don't expect a dime from us."Ms. Taylor's brows furrowed.Alex looked surprised too.He probably didn't expect my mom to threaten to cut off my living expenses.In my previous life, I was always financially dependent on my family.When I was in college, I relied on my parents for everything.After I got married and joined the Foster Family's company, Alex kept my salary card.Later, when I quit to take care of our daughter, I had to ask him for every single expense.I used to think that in a family, there was no need to keep things so separate.But then, one day, I wanted to buy a set of study materials for my teaching certification.Alex looked at me and said, "Why bother with stuff like this at your age?"The books cost less than seventy dollars.In the end, I didn't buy them.At forty-six, I had even hesitated over spending nearly seventy dollars on myself.But this time, I wasn't going to let that happen again."Fine," I said.My mom was stunned. "What did you say?""I'll figure out my own living expenses for college.""Sophie.""If that's all, I'm hanging up."I reached out and hung up the phone.Alex clamped down on my wrist. "Are you crazy?"You're seriously going to give up your family's money to spite me?""Let go," I said.Alex didn't let go. "Is Riverdale College of Education really that important to you?"Is it more important to you than Grandma Foster?"I looked up at him. "That's not the same thing."He said, "How can you say they're not the same?"You know how much Grandma Foster cares about you."She's always hoped we'd go to college together and come back home after graduation."All the relatives are already invited to the teacher appreciation party."If you suddenly run off to Riverdale, how is Grandma Foster supposed to handle that?"He never once mentioned himself.But every word out of his mouth was him trying to guilt me into staying for his sake.I said, "Alex."Yesterday, you told the whole class we weren't engaged."Why do you even care where I go to college now?"His grip tightened. "I told you, I only said that so people wouldn't get the wrong idea about Mia."I said, "So what?"Whenever it suits you, the engagement is some big family deal."But when Mia needs to keep her reputation, suddenly it's a childhood joke."Alex, don't you think that's ridiculous?"His face grew even darker.Ms. Taylor walked over. "Alex, let go."He finally let go of me.A red mark circled my wrist where he'd grabbed me.Alex glanced at it, and for a moment, he actually looked a little sorry. "Sophie, I'm not trying to pressure you."I think you're not thinking straight right now."Go home and talk it over with your mom first."I said, "My college choice is already locked in."There's nothing left to talk about."I slung my backpack over my shoulder.As I reached the door, Alex called out from behind me. "You can't seriously be going to Riverdale."I didn't look back.He knew the Sophie I used to be, inside and out.That's why he was so certain.But he didn't have a clue.The Sophie who was scared to leave, scared to lose her family, scared nobody wanted her. She died alone in that empty school building, twenty-eight years later.

Chapter 12