Chapter 2

The next morning, I put on my school uniform, ready to head to school and take care of the admission paperwork.

As I got to the stairs, I heard Sophia crying downstairs.

"Mom, why has Emily suddenly become so cold? She wasn't like this before. Someone must have said something to her," Sophia said.

"Sophia, don't cry. I'll figure something out," Linda comforted her, her voice tinged with anger. "Emily has been acting weird lately. Maybe she's just under too much pressure."

"Mom, I really want to get into a good college, but my grades..." Sophia's voice grew weaker. "If I don't get in, will you and Dad stop loving me?"

"Silly girl, how could that ever happen? You'll always be my precious daughter," Linda replied.

"But Emily has a guaranteed admission spot, and I have nothing. Everyone will think I'm not as good as her," Sophia said.

Hearing all this, I couldn't help but let out a sneer.

Sophia's pitiful crying act had never failed to work in my previous life.

Every time she started crying, the whole family would instantly feel sorry for her, and all the attention would shift right to her.

Meanwhile, I would always end up being the "insensitive" villain.

I let my footsteps echo loudly as I walked down the stairs on purpose.

The two in the living room instantly fell silent. Sophia didn't forget to dab at the corners of her eyes, looking all innocent.

"Good morning, Emily," she murmured, looking all docile.

"Morning," I replied coolly, not even looking at her as I headed straight for the dining room.

Linda followed me. "Emily, let's talk about what happened yesterday."

"There's nothing to talk about," I replied, taking some food without even looking up.

"How can you speak to me like that?" Linda's voice shot up. "Your dad told me last night that you asked him about the admission spot. Are you really thinking of giving it up?"

I stopped what I was doing and looked at her. "What if I said yes?"

"Absolutely not!" Linda practically shouted. "That spot is the reward of your three-year hard work. How can you just give it up like that?"

"Then why did you say yesterday that I didn't need to study for the SATs just because I already have the admission spot?" I shot back.

Linda was caught off guard, and it took her a moment to respond. "That's different. I meant you should be more supportive of your sister."

"How far do you want me to go? Give her my admission spot?" I asked.

"If... if that were really possible..." Linda's voice grew softer.

So it was true. They'd been eyeing my spot all along.

"Mom, please don't make things hard for Emily because of me," Sophia chimed in right on cue, her eyes red again. "It's my fault for not being good enough, always dragging her down."

She always put on that helpless, pitiful act. I couldn't believe I actually fell for it in my past life.

I really thought she was so considerate. As her big sister, it was my duty to step up and help her.

"Sophia, don't say that," Linda said, pulling her into a hug. "Your sister is just too selfish, that's all."

Selfish? I scoffed inwardly.

I set down my plate and shot them a cold look. "Me? Selfish? How exactly?"

"You already have the spot. Why can't you help your sister? She needs this chance way more than you do," Linda said.

"Oh, really? And why is that?" I retorted.

"Because her grades aren't as good as yours, because she's working harder than you, and because she's your little sister!" Linda said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So, people with worse grades deserve a better reward? Then what was the point of all my hard work these past three years?"

"Emily, how can you even think that way?" Linda frowned. "Your sister really does need more help than you. You're older, so you should be the bigger person."

The bigger person.

What a familiar phrase.

In my past life, I was shackled by those very words.

What did it even mean? Did being a bigger person mean I had to sacrifice my own interests just to make things easier for others?

"All I know is, the admission spot is mine, and no one's going to snatch it from me," I said firmly.

I stood up to leave, but Linda grabbed my arm. "Emily, let's make this clear. What exactly are you thinking?"

"It's simple. The early admission spot is mine, and I'm not giving it up," I replied.

"But Sophia..." Linda started.

"That has nothing to do with me. If Sophia wants to get into a good college, she can work harder," I interrupted coldly.

As soon as Sophia heard it, tears streamed down her face. "Emily, do you really not care about me at all?"

Watching her put on that pitiful, tearful act, I felt absolutely nothing inside.

In my previous life, I actually bought into that look, thinking she truly needed my help.

And what did I get in return? The moment she got the admission spot, she dropped the act and cut me off completely. She never even recognized me as her sister again.

"Care? What exactly do you want from me?" I shot back, my tone icy.

"I just want you to be like you used to be—help me with my homework, tutor me, and revise together..." Linda pleaded, her voice trembling.

"That was then. I'm done with that now," I replied flatly.

My indifference seemed to get under Sophia's skin, and her voice turned shrill. "Why? Aren't we sisters?"

"Sure, we're sisters. But that doesn't mean I have to give up everything for you," I shot back.

"When did I ever ask you to give up everything? I just want you to help me!" Sophia protested.

"Help you? And how much help do you actually need? Should I hand over my early admission spot? Give up my future for you? Or do you want me dead?" I snapped.

My last question left Sophia pale.

Linda was stunned, too. "Emily, you're going too far."

Too far?

Funny how they never thought it was too far when they pushed me to my death in my past life.

"Isn't it the truth? You keep saying it's for my own good, but honestly, you'd love nothing more than for me to hand everything over to her," I said, my voice steady and cold.

"Don't be ridiculous! When have we ever wanted that?" Linda shot back, her anger flaring.

"Oh really? Then why did you say yesterday that I should help Sophia just because I have the early admission spot? And why are you hinting today that I should give it up?" I fired back.

Linda was left speechless.

I pressed on, my voice cold and steady. "In your eyes, I'm just a tool, someone who's supposed to give everything without ever asking for anything back. Just because I'm the older sister, you think it's fine to guilt-trip me and use me however you want."

"Emily, how could you say that?" Sophia cried even harder. "I never wanted your spot. I just wanted you to tutor me, that's all."

"Is that so? Then why did you say yesterday that I didn't even need to study for the SATs since I already have the early admission spot?" I shot back.

Sophia hesitated, clearly not expecting me to remember everything so well.

"I... I wasn't serious..." she stammered.

"Oh? You weren't serious, or were you scheming from the start?" I sneered. "Sophia, don't take me for a fool. You and Mom were talking about the early admission spot yesterday. Did you really think I wouldn't overhear you?"

Linda's face darkened. "You were eavesdropping on us?"

"Eavesdropping? In my own house? Was it you two talking too loud, or is my hearing just too good?" I shot back.

An awkward silence fell over the room.

I glanced at the time, grabbed my backpack, and said, "I'm heading to school. Gotta handle the paperworks—can't be late."

When Sophia heard the word "paperwork," her face instantly turned ghostly pale.

"Emily, are you really accepting that spot?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Of course. It's my right," I replied firmly.

"But..." She faltered, unable to get the rest out.

Linda was getting anxious. "Emily, just think it over again, okay? Early admission might sound good, but taking the SATs can prove your abilities. And what if you end up stuck in a major you don't even like?"

More excuses, just like always.

In my past life, this was their routine: first, they'd say early admission didn't matter; then, they'd claim the SATs was the real deal; and in the end, it always came down to how Sophia supposedly needed the opportunity more than I did.

Step by step, they pushed me closer and closer to the abyss.

"I like that major a lot, but thanks for your concern," I said, my tone icy.

With that, I walked out the door without looking back.

Behind me, I could hear Sophia sobbing and Linda sighing, but I didn't feel the slightest bit of pity.

The painful lessons from my past life had taught me one thing: being kind to them was just being cruel to myself.

As I walked to school, my phone rang.

It was Edgar.

"Emily, are you already on your way?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm heading to school right now," I replied.

"Hey, Sophia told me you two had a fight last night. Is that true?" Edgar asked.

It seemed Sophia really couldn't wait to play the victim and tattle on me.

"Fight? Not really. We just didn't see eye to eye," I replied coolly.

"Is this about the early admission spot?" Edgar's voice was full of concern. "Emily, don't let it stress you out. You earned that spot; don't let anyone else's opinions get to you."

He sounded comforting and supportive, but I knew he was faking it.

"Edgar, do you think I should give up the early admission spot?"

"Of course not," he replied without missing a beat. "You've worked so hard for this. How could you just throw it away?"

"But what if Sophia can't get into a good college?" I pressed.

Edgar paused for a few seconds. "Well... she could always repeat a year, or just pick another path."

Repeat a year?

That wasn't what he suggested in my past life.

Back then, he kept insisting that Sophia was too fragile, that if she didn't get into a good college, she might not be able to handle it and could do something stupid.

So, I had to help her, just to keep her safe.

Now, looking back, those excuses were just ridiculous.

"Edgar, I'm at school now. Talk later," I said flatly.

"Okay, if you need anything, just give me a call," he said.

I hung up and looked at the familiar school gate, emotions churning inside me.

In my past life, this was where I made the worst decision of all.

Today, I was going to take my fate into my own hands and rewrite my destiny.

Stepping onto campus, I headed straight for the academic office.

When Ms. Lee saw me, a pleased and proud smile appeared on her face. "Emily, congratulations! A guaranteed spot at Stanford is a huge honor for our school."

"Thank you, Ms. Lee," I replied.

"Let's get started on the confirmation forms," Ms. Lee said, pulling out a stack of papers. "These are just the standard procedures. Take a look, and if everything looks good, just sign them."

I carefully reviewed each document, making sure there were no loopholes that anyone could exploit.

In my past life, it was these very documents that had given Sophia the opening she needed to take advantage of me.

"Ms. Lee, I was wondering, once the early admission spot is confirmed, can it be modified?" I asked.

Ms. Lee paused for a moment. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I just wanted to know how the rules work," I replied casually.

"In theory, it can't be modified unless the student voluntarily gives it up, but that's extremely rare," Ms. Lee said with a smile. "Emily, you're not thinking of giving it up, are you? That would be such a shame."

"Of course not," I answered firmly. "I just want to make sure the process is airtight."

"That's a relief," Ms. Lee said, letting out a breath. "Honestly, if a student like you gave up early admission, that would be a great pity for us teachers."

After signing all the paperwork, my early admission spot was officially secured.

Staring at the confirmation letter in my hand, for the first time in my life, I finally felt truly at ease.

This time, no one is ever going to steal what's mine again.

As I walked out of the academic office, I ran into my homeroom teacher, Mr. Warren.

"Emily, I heard you've already finished the early admission paperwork?" he asked.

"Yes, Mr. Warren," I replied.

"Great! Now you can finally relax a bit. But don't slack off completely; there's still a lot to learn," he said.

His words brought back memories of my past life.

Back then, after I finished the early admission paperwork, I let my guard down, and that gave Linda and Sophia the perfect chance to make their move.

Step by step, they took advantage of my carelessness and put their plan to steal my early admission spot into action.

"Mr. Warren, I was wondering, under what circumstances would a confirmed early admission spot be revoked?" I asked.

Mr. Warren looked a bit puzzled by my question. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," I replied.

"Generally, the only times an early admission spot would be revoked if the student seriously violates school discipline or voluntarily applies to give up," Mr. Warren said, giving me a searching look. "Emily, is there any problem?"

"No, I just want to be clear about things," I replied.

He nodded. "If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come to me."

When I got back to the classroom, everyone was giving me complicated looks.

Some were envious, some jealous, and some just didn't seem to get it.

My best friend Jenny Fran, who sat next to me, leaned over and whispered, "Emily, I heard you got an early admission spot at Stanford? That's awesome!"

"Yeah, I finished all the paperwork just now," I replied.

"So, what are you going to do next? Are you finally going to take it easy?" Jenny asked.

"I'm not planning to slack off. I still have to keep studying," I said.

Jenny looked genuinely surprised. "Why? You already got the early admission. What's left to study for?"

"Learning never stops. Besides, I'm still going to take the SATs. I want to see how I really measure up," I replied.

As soon as I said that, everyone around me turned to look at me.

"Emily, are you crazy? You already got early admission, and you're still taking the SATs?" Eric Kent, who was sitting behind me, couldn't help but blurt out.

"It's my choice," I said flatly.

"Isn't that a bit much? I mean, isn't early admission supposed to save you from all that exam stress?" Jenny said, looking genuinely puzzled.

I didn't bother to explain. I just kept my eyes on my book.

In my past life, I actually fell for all those so-called "well-meaning" suggestions, and that was how I ended up letting my guard down.

But now, I knew what to do. Only by being strong enough could I make sure no one ever took advantage of me again.

While I was having lunch, my phone rang. It was Sophia.

"Emily, did you finish the early admission paperwork?" She sounded very nervous.

"It's done," I said flatly.

"Oh... That's good." I could hear the relief in her voice. "Emily, are you coming home for lunch? Mom made your favorite ribs."

Once again, she was pulling the emotional card to sway me.

In my past life, whenever I stuck to my guns, they'd always try to guilt-trip me like this to make me give in.

"No, I'm not coming home. The school cafeteria's fine," I replied.

"But..." Sophia started, then fell silent.

"Anything else?" I asked, my tone cool and detached.

"Emily, I'm really sorry about yesterday. I shouldn't have said those things. I know you have a lot on your plate too, and I promise I won't trouble you anymore," Sophia said, sounding all understanding and mature.

But I knew all too well that this was just another act.

"Good. Glad you figured it out," I replied, my voice still cold.

"When are you coming home? I want to apologize to you in person," Sophia said.

"We'll see," I said simply.

Then, I hung up and kept eating my lunch.

It might not taste as good as homemade cooking, but at least I could eat without any worries.

That afternoon in class, I could feel Edgar's eyes on me the whole time.

As soon as the bell rang, he came straight over to my desk. "Emily, can you come out for a moment? I want to talk to you."

"If you've got something to say, just say it here," I replied coolly.

"It's about the early admission spot. I'd rather talk to you in private," Edgar said, lowering his voice.

I glanced at him, then finally got up and followed him out of the classroom.

Out on the playground, Edgar got straight to the point. "Emily, Sophia cried for a long time at lunch today. She feels like she's holding you back."

"She's not holding me back. We're two separate people," I replied flatly.

"But you're sisters, and you've always been close since you were kids," Edgar said, frowning. "I just don't get why you're suddenly acting so distant."

"I'm not cold. I'm just being rational," I replied.

"Rational?" Edgar looked at me, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"It means I'm not going to give unconditionally anymore. Everyone should take responsibility for their own choices," I said.

Edgar fell silent for a moment. Then, he said, "Emily, is there any misunderstanding between you and Sophia?"

"Misunderstanding?" I scoffed. "What do you think I'm getting wrong?"

"Sophia's been studying really hard. She just doesn't have your talent, that's all. And she's been under a lot of stress lately. Maybe you could help her out..." Edgar said, sounding genuinely concerned.

"Edgar, let me ask you something," I cut him off. "If one day Sophia asked for your life, would you let her have it?"

He stared at me, stunned. "What?"

"By your logic, it's always right to help the weaker one, huh? Well, if Sophia needed your life to save hers, would you just hand it over?" I pressed, fixing Edgar with a cold stare.

"Emily, that's a bit much," Edgar said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Too much? Then tell me—how is giving up my early admission spot for her any different from giving up my life?" I shot back.

Edgar froze. He definitely hadn't seen that coming.

"That early admission spot is my future, my dreams, and everything I've planned for my life. You want me to give all that up? How is that any different from asking me to die?" I said.

"But... But Sophia really needs this chance," he murmured.

"Seriously? She must get what she wants? I studied day and night for three years, just to earn that spot. Should I just let someone take it from me just because they need it?" I shot back.

My words left him speechless.

Seeing the conflicted look on his face, a chill of sadness crept into my heart.

In my previous life, I considered him my most trusted friend, but in the end, he teamed up with Sophia to set me up.

Looking at it now, their relationship had long since become way more than just classmates.

"Do you like Linda?" I asked directly.

He blushed in an instant. "W-What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer me," I demanded.

"I..." Edgar hesitated for a long time, then finally nodded. "Yes, I like her."

Just as I expected.

In my previous life, I naively thought he was doing it for my sake, but in truth, he just wanted to win Sophia's favor.

"Since you like her so much, then go figure out a way to help her yourself. Don't try to put your moral baggage on me," I said.

With that, I turned around and walked off the field.

As I left, I heard Edgar calling my name, but I didn't look back.

Once you truly saw through certain things or people, there was just no way to go back to how things used to be.

Back in the classroom, I took out my phone and sent a text to my mom.

[I won't be home for dinner tonight. I have something to take care of.]

Soon, Linda replied.

[What could be so important? Sophia has been waiting for you to come back.]

I looked at the message and scoffed.

Wait for me to come back? So that they could keep brainwashing me?

I didn't reply, just switched my phone to silent mode.

After school, I didn't go home right away; instead, I headed straight for the library.

There, I sat quietly with a book, but my mind was busy working out my next move.

The spot was already in my hands, but that was only the beginning.

I still had to stay on guard against those two trying to scheme against me—maybe by trashing my reputation at school, or even setting up some kind of accident.

If my past life taught me anything, it must be that they would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.

I didn't head home until nine that night, taking my time on the way back.

As soon as I walked in, I saw everyone sitting in the living room, obviously waiting for me.

"Emily, why are you so late?" David asked, frowning.

"Just studying at the library," I replied.

"Sophia has been waiting for you all night. She has something to say to you," Linda said, pointing at Sophia, whose eyes were red-rimmed from crying.

I looked over at Sophia. "What is it?"

Sophia stood up, lowering her head. "Emily, I'm sorry. I was wrong yesterday. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way."

She had used this exact move in my previous life, too.

Every time I was close to seeing her true colors, she would always use this trick to play on my sympathy.

"I accept your apology. Anything else?" I asked.

Sophia was taken aback for a second, clearly not expecting me to be so indifferent.

"Emily, I promise I won't trouble you again. The admission spot is yours, and I won't have any designs on it."

She sounded sincere, but I knew she was just putting on an act.

"Okay, I'll remember that," I said.

Linda kept shooting anxious glances at Sophia, but Sophia just seemed at a loss for words.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Finally, David broke the silence. "Now that everything's cleared up, let's all get some rest. Emily, even though you've secured the spot, don't let your guard down."

"I know," I said flatly.

I headed upstairs to my room, and as soon as I closed the door, I could hear the sound of hushed voices drifting up from downstairs.

I couldn't catch exactly what they were whispering about, but I was sure they were plotting something else.

Still, it didn't bother me. As long as I held onto the admission spot, nothing they did would make a difference.

Lying in bed, I found myself thinking about that car accident in my past life.

I have now realized that the timing of that crash was just too much of a coincidence.

It happened just when I had decided to stop helping Sophia and throw myself into preparing for the SATs.

Even without any evidence, I always felt there was more to it than it seemed.

But this time around, I was going to be much more careful.

I had to make sure that those who planned to harm me would never get the chance.

The next few days, the atmosphere at home was eerily calm.

Sophia was on her best behavior, greeting me every day, but I could still see the resentment simmering in her eyes.

Linda had also toned it down a lot, not saying much to my face, but I could tell she was conspiring with David behind my back a lot more often.

I acted like I didn't notice a thing, just focusing on my studies as usual.

One day at lunch, I was eating in the classroom when my deskmate Jenny leaned over, looking all mysterious.

"Emily, I heard some gossip," she said.

"What kind of gossip?" I asked.

"About your sister," Jenny whispered, lowering her voice. "I heard she's been spending a lot of time with Edgar lately, and honestly, the two of them seem way closer than just friends."

I froze for a moment, but I kept a straight face. "Really?"

"You didn't know? She's your sister!" Jenny said, genuinely surprised.

"We each have our own lives. I don't really meddle in her personal stuff," I replied.

"But isn't Edgar your childhood friend? If he's with your sister, doesn't that make things awkward for you?" Jenny asked.

Awkward?

In my past life, I really did feel awkward about it. I even took the initiative to distance myself from Edgar just so they could be together.

Now, I realized what a fool I had been.

"No, not at all. Relationships can't be forced. If they really care about each other, I'd give them my blessing," I said.

Jenny looked at me in shock. "Emily, you're so generous. If it were me, I'd totally lose it."

Generous, huh?

If she knew how I died in my past life, would she still say that?

"Jenny, who told you that?" I asked.

"A bunch of people in our class are talking about it. They say those two are always together at the library, and Edgar even bought Sophia her favorite drink," Jenny replied.

It seemed like they were not even trying to hide it anymore.

It was just like my past life. They'd make it look like it was already a done deal, then pile on the guilt and pressure until I had no choice but to give in.

"Got it. Thanks for telling me," I said.

"Are you really okay with this?" Jenny still couldn't believe it.

"Really," I said with a faint smile. "Once something's gone, it's gone. There's no regret."

That afternoon in class, I kept catching Edgar looking my way, his eyes full of guilt and anxiety.

After class, he came right up to me. "Emily, can we talk for a minute?"

"Go ahead," I said.

"It's about me and Sophia... I guess you've probably heard by now," he said awkwardly.

"Yeah, I heard," I said.

My calmness shocked him. "Aren't you mad?"

"Why would I be mad?" I shot back. "You're free to like whoever you want. Who am I to be mad about it?"

"But we grew up together..." he said, his voice trailing off.

"Just because we grew up together doesn't mean we have to be together," I cut him off. "Edgar, just let it be. Don't let it weigh on you."

My words only made him more uneasy. "Emily, why are you suddenly being so reasonable?"

Reasonable?

I was just done letting them play me for a fool.

"People grow up," I said lightly. "I might've been upset about this kind of thing before, but now I get it. If it's not meant to be, forcing it will only be useless."

"So you mean..." he hesitated.

"I mean, if you really like Sophia, just go after her. My feelings don't matter," I said calmly.

Edgar froze. Clearly, my reaction wasn't as he had expected.

In his mind, I was supposed to be heartbroken, beg him to stay, maybe even compete with Sophia for his love.

But I just refused to play along with their script.

"Emily, are you sure you don't mind?" he asked again, still not quite believing it.

"I'm sure," I said with a nod. "But there's something I want to remind you about."

"What is it?" he asked.

"You know what Sophia is like—she needs a lot of care and attention. If you choose her, you'd better be ready to take on everything that comes with it," I said.

It might have sounded like a well-meaning reminder, but in reality, I was just digging a pit for him to fall into.

Sophia really did need to be coddled. She expected people to hand over everything for her: money, time, energy, and sometimes even their self-respect.