Chapter 1
On my wedding day, my fiancé abandoned me to save his first love.
Right then and there, I married his sworn rival instead, only to discover five years later that this marriage was just a scheme to protect her.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the classroom in my 18-year-old self.
This time—
The guaranteed college admission spot? I'll take it.
The title of campus belle? Mine.
And those three trashy people?
I'll make them tear each other apart and make their lives become a living hell.
*****
I stood in front of the dressing mirror, giving my wedding gown one final check.
The pure white skirt flowed like a cloud, shimmering under the crystal lights.
Today was my wedding with Carson, the man I had a crush on for five years and dated for three.
"Clara, you look stunning."
My best friend Emmett adjusted my veil, eyes glistening with tears. "Carson won't be able to take his eyes off you."
I smiled faintly, my heart pounding wildly.
I had waited so long for this day.
My phone buzzed. It was a message from Carson.
I opened it eagerly, but my blood turned to ice the moment I read it.
[Sarah attempted suicide. She's in the hospital. Wedding postponed.]
Nine cold words. No explanation. Not even an apology.
My fingers trembled. The room spun.
"What's wrong?"
Emmett noticed my shock, glanced at my phone, and gasped. "Is he insane? Today of all days? What does Sarah have to do with him?"
Sarah was Carson's ex. The fragile girl who always needed saving.
Even after three years apart, even on our wedding day, one call from her, and he ran.
The door burst open. My mother rushed in, panicked. "Clara, Carson just left! He said it was an emergency. The guests are waiting. What's happening?"
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. Another buzz. It was a photo of a hospital hallway from Carson.
[Sarah's condition is unstable. I can't leave tonight.]
My vision blurred. The wedding gown suddenly felt unbearably heavy.
Three years together. Five years of longing. Eight years of love. They were destroyed by one call from his ex.
"Cancel the wedding."
My voice was eerily calm. "Tell the guests it's over."
Emmett hugged me, but I felt nothing.
My soul seemed to float above, watching the scene coldly.
As I walked past the whispering crowd, I saw Jeremiah.
Carson's cousin. The man who had pursued me for four years, despite my constant rejections.
He stood there, staring at me with an unreadable expression.
Suddenly, an impulse took over. I walked straight to him. "You always said you wanted to marry me. Do you still mean it?"
Gasps filled the room.
Jeremiah's eyes lit up. He dropped to one knee and took my hand. "Yes. I always have."
Three months later, I married Jeremiah.
No grand wedding. It was just a simple registry office signing and a family dinner. Everyone said I was crazy, that I was just trying to hurt Carson. Maybe they were right.
But married life turned out to be unexpectedly peaceful.
Jeremiah was gentle and attentive, nothing like the annoying pursuer I'd once dismissed.
He remembered all my preferences, tolerated my worst moods, and slowly melted my heart.
Five years later, on our anniversary, he reserved my favorite restaurant.
I dressed carefully and arrived early, only to find him already seated.
Across from Carson.
I nearly went to greet them but froze when I overheard their conversation.
"How is Sarah these days?"
It was Carson's voice.
"Good. She's married now. Her husband adores her."
A pause. Then Jeremiah asked, "Do you regret leaving Clara for Sarah that day?"
Carson laughed bitterly. "What's the point of regret? But you always loved Sarah. Why marry Clara?"
I held my breath as my husband answered. "Back then, I was afraid Clara'd take her anger out on Sarah. Marrying Clara was the only way to keep her away from Sarah. At least with me, she couldn't hurt Sarah."
My world shattered.
The happiness I thought I had and the love I believed in were all an elaborate lie.
Two men, protecting the woman they both loved, tricked me like a fool.
I turned and ran from the restaurant, tears blinding me. A screech of brakes. Blinding headlights. Then, darkness.
"Clara! Stop daydreaming!"
A chalk piece hit my forehead.
I jerked upright and found myself in a high school classroom. My desk mate Emmett was secretly passing me a photo: "Look! You made the 'Campus Belle' list!"
The photo showed me wearing ugly black-framed glasses, my hair deliberately styled frumpily, and my expression was stiff.
This was my senior-year disguise, the awkward look I'd adopted to catch Carson's attention.
He'd once said he didn't like shallow, pretty girls.
My fingers trembled as I touched my face, confirming the presence of those hideous frames.
At the front of the classroom, the teacher was reviewing practice SAT questions. The date on the board read: March 15, 2013.
I'd traveled back, eight years into the past.
Under everyone's stunned gazes, I took off the glasses, undid my ponytail, and let my hair fall freely.
"Oh my god, Clara..."
Emmett gaped.
I turned to the window. Sunshine streamed in. This time, I wouldn't waste my life on anyone.