Chapter 3

Melissa grabbed my money and practically bounced into the mall, her excitement impossible to hide.

It didn't take her long to fall in love with the most expensive gown there — a dazzling dress studded with pearls that shimmered under the lights.

Each one gleamed as if soaked in the blood I shed in my last life.

*****

During the performance, my whole family showed up, though they kept their distance since they thought I was just an embarrassment.

On stage, Melissa shone like a star. In the audience, hidden in the corner, the married man's eyes followed her every move.

After the show, Melissa said she needed to meet him for more "tutoring." Richard and Linda agreed without hesitation.

There was no way I was letting a chance like this slip by.

I took out a gift from my backpack and handed it to Melissa. "Mel, this is from my boss at work. I want you to have it. She said it helps you sleep."

And just like that, a diffuser with a hidden camera landed in Melissa's hands.

An hour later, it was recording scenes that were way too explicit to describe.

I couldn't wait to see the look on Richard and Linda's faces when they saw it.

It never hurt to sharpen the blade before the swing.

I hadn't come back from death just for revenge. I came back to live better and happier.

But happiness only came after survival.

And right now, the only way to survive was to get into a good university.

But to do that, it was incredibly hard.

The college entrance exam was only a few months away.

Unlike Melissa, who studied at the province's best high school, I went to an ordinary one.

Actually, calling it "ordinary" was being generous.

It hadn't produced a single top university student in five years.

Just like before, Linda looked at me with disgust. "With grades like yours, don't bother with school. You're wasting time and money. Go get a job instead."

But I was determined to stay.

With my current grades, getting into one of those top-tier universities was totally out of the question.

But according to them, even if Melissa underperformed, she'd still land a place at a top-tier school.

But isn't the real spark of life all about rising to the challenge?

There are moments in life when you have to run — to escape what's behind or chase what's ahead.

The college entrance exam might be a narrow bridge packed with thousands, but it was still the fairest, fastest way to reach my dream and my happiness.

One never knew what one was capable of until one pushed oneself to the edge.

And this time, given a second chance at life, I was going to give it everything I had.

During Christmas, Richard and Linda went off visiting relatives all over town with Melissa, leaving me behind.

It was as if I had never been part of their family.

But honestly, having the place to myself was just what I wanted this time.

*****

This winter was bone-chilling.

Snow fell for days, and I couldn't stop sneezing.

Dressed in a single layer, I shivered in the unheated room.

"Mel, are you cold? I bought you a new set of pajamas. They're washed and ready. Go put them on," Linda said gently to Melissa.

Then she turned and spotted me in the corner. Her face twisted in disgust. "Mel's old ones will do for you. Not that you even deserve them."

*****

Outside, the city glowed with Christmas lights. I curled under my blanket, took out the workbook that was packed with a thousand prep questions for the college exam.

The pages were covered with layers of highlighter marks.

Each question was a step toward my future.

Those tongue-twisting German words refused to stick in my head. I memorized them many times until I could finally write them all from memory.

Math had been my worst subject in my last life—permutations, functions, endless numbers. But this time, they felt like the most beautiful notes in a song.

With patience and practice, I could almost hear the melody forming.

Whenever I couldn't remember something, I'd write it down, cut it into tiny slips, and keep them in my pocket to peek at in secret.

In my last life, I thought they hated me because my grades were poor.

In this one, I studied as if my life depended on it. Still, they sneered and mocked.

But it didn't matter anymore. This time, I was living for myself.

*****

When they came home from visiting relatives, Melissa spotted me studying and snarked, "Well, well, look who's suddenly turned over a new leaf. Not doing your embarrassing dance anymore?"

Linda added with a smirk, "You're not cut out for studying. Mel's the smart one. When she succeeds, you can be her housekeeper. At least you won't starve."

After Linda left, Melissa went straight for the jugular. "Catherine, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You're too dumb for college. If you ever get in, the sun might as well rise in the west."

She didn't know that miracles tend to happen when you least expect them.

And she—no matter how hard she tried to act high and mighty—wasn't meant to shine for long.

Melissa's insomnia had been getting worse lately.

No one else knew why, but I did.

She often took pills that kept her wired, chasing that twisted sense of thrill.

No wonder she couldn't sleep.

One afternoon, she suddenly barged into my room, sneering as I studied. "Well, will wonders never cease? You're actually studying now? Give it up already, you'll never replace me."

With that, she snatched the book from my hands and tossed it aside.

I lay back on my bed, listening to an audio lecture, ignoring her completely.

My indifference only made her angrier. She stormed over, ripped off my headphones, and snapped, "Don't you know I'm a light sleeper? I can't stand any noise. You turned it up on purpose, didn't you? You just want me to lose sleep. You're seriously evil!"

Then she grabbed my phone and slammed it face down on the floor.