Chapter 3

As soon as I said that, the whole place exploded.

All eyes of doubt fixed themselves squarely on Jessica.

"You're all picking on me. I'm a good girl. I didn't lie," she whimpered.

Jessica quickly played her part, lips quivering, tears spilling from her eyes, looking helpless and fragile.

She said, "Sir, I promise I'm telling the truth. I didn't make anything up. It was Leah. She paid people off just to show off, and I heard it myself.

"Leah, you're the one who should be taken away by the police. You're the real meanie here."

Overwhelmed by emotion, Jessica rushed to the rooftop, throwing one leg over the railing, teetering dangerously.

Our parents arrived in a hurry and nearly fainted when they saw her.

"Jessica, please come down," my mom cried out, her voice shaking with fear. "We can't live without you. Please, don't do anything crazy."

Jessica shook her head, crying her heart out. "I'm just trying to do the right thing and call out the bad guy. Why am I the one getting yelled at? Mom, I feel so sad."

In that moment, all eyes turned to me.

My parents whipped around, shouting at me. "Leah, you've already hurt Jessica so much. She's just a kid, and you just won't leave her alone. We don't want a daughter who's so mean."

Everyone started looking at me differently, their eyes full of judgment.

After all, even my own parents hated me. No one would ever trust me.

I pursed my lips, feeling completely composed.

I'd known this would happen all along.

Even though I was their real family, when I died a horrible death in that fire in my previous life, they didn't even flinch.

Seven days after my death, they were already jetting off overseas with Jessica, who was miraculously cured overnight, celebrating as if my death meant nothing.

Not a single person stood up for me.

All they ever cared about was Jessica.

Therefore, this time, I was going to make things right for myself.

I took a deep breath, took out my acceptance letter from Beloris University, and handed it to the officer.

It bore the official seal and all the necessary documents. This was my honor, and there was no way Jessica could just discredit it with a few careless words.

The officer looked over the paperwork, nodded solemnly, and confirmed that I had indeed been admitted on recommendation.

The crowd of students exchanged baffled glances, completely confused by what had just happened.

"Holy crap, plot twist of the century. So, Leah is actually admitted to Beloris University, right?"

"Poor girl. She's being slandered. What the hell is Jessica doing?"

"Wait, Jessica is acting like a kid now. Is this all just some childish prank or what?"

"Nah, I think she knows what she's doing."

As the crowd kept mocking her, Jessica's face twisted with humiliation and anger.

Suddenly, she let out a piercing scream and nearly hurled herself off the edge, her feet hanging in the air as if she was about to jump.

She said, "I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, I'll prove it with my life."

My mom panicked instantly, and she rushed over to Jessica.

My dad turned to me and slapped me hard across the face. "Will you only stop when she dies? Admit you were wrong and apologize to Jessica right now."

Then he switched to a pleasant tone and turned to the officer. "I'm Leah's father and her guardian. She's always been a liar since she was little. Don't trust a thing she says.

"She's just jealous of Jessica, and that's why she's causing all this drama. Sorry for dragging you into this."

I stepped forward, pulled out my ID card, and held it up in front of my dad, blocking his way.

I said, "I'm an adult now. I make my own choices. Jessica spread lies about me. All I want is to prove my innocence and get what's fair."

When he saw how stubborn I was, my dad's face darkened in an instant.

He yelled, "Leah, shut your mouth. If you keep making a scene, you can forget about ever setting foot in the Monroe residence again."

My mom grabbed the acceptance letter and smacked it right in my face, her voice sharp and threatening. "Leah, I gave birth to you. You have to listen to me.

"If you dare let the police take Jessica away, I swear, even if I die, I'll never call you my daughter again."

I looked calmly at her parents, the two people in the world I was most closely tied to by blood.

Their faces were full of confidence and certainty.

They were sure that someone like me, who'd grown up in an orphanage, must crave family above all else.

Honestly, in my previous life, it really was just like that.

I was so desperate for their love, and I'd do anything for that. No matter what they wanted, I never dared say no.

I let Jessica bully me and trample all over my dignity again and again.

Yet now, I had changed my mind. From now on, I would put myself first.

I refused to go through that kind of pain ever again.

I took a deep breath, not even glancing at my parents' shocked faces, and turned straight to the officers.

I said, "Sir, I have one more request. When I was born, I was swapped and trafficked. It wasn't an accident. Please catch those traffickers and protect other kids from harm."