Chapter 1

I was reborn.

In my previous life, I felt sorry for my cousin Sophie, who was ignored by her parents, so I always went out of my way for her. Whenever I saw nice clothes or tasty snacks, I'd buy them for her.

But in high school, she met a delinquent and wanted to drop out to be with him. I urged her to focus on her studies and promised she could date anyone she wanted after the college entrance exam. She agreed.

But after the exam, the delinquent got picked up by a wealthy family and dumped Sophie. She locked herself in her room for two days, then finally buckled down to her studies.

I was relieved, thinking she'd finally turned over a new leaf, and I did everything in my power to help her.

But when we went hiking together, she coldly shoved me off the edge of a cliff.

Sophie used my corpse as a stepping stone, climbing her way to success. She said, "I don't hold a grudge against my cousin for the bullying I endured when we were young.

"The water has flowed under the bridge, and she is gone now. I just hope everyone can stop being so harsh toward her memory."

Because of what Sophie said, everyone turned their backs on me. My mother, barely fifty, ended up with a head full of gray hair and had to endure all that unwarranted malice.

This time around, I chose to be a bystander.

I'm washing my hands of her. It's time to let nature take its course.

*****

"Who are you to break us up? Dear Emily, go over the edge!" Sophie's face was a mask of pure malice, her voice a twisted screech.

I was jolted awake and shrieked, gasping for air.

It wasn't a dream. Those were the last sights and sounds I experienced in my previous life. My eyes filled with hatred.

"What's wrong, Emily?" My mother knocked on the door. "I'm coming in."

My mother stepped into the room. She was young, vibrant, and beautiful.

I blinked, smiled sweetly, and said, "I'm okay, Mom. It was just a nightmare."

"As long as you're alright." She sat on the edge of the bed and stroked my hair. "Have you been under too much pressure lately? It's okay. If the schoolwork is hard, we'll take it one step at a time. Don't worry yourself sick."

I hadn't heard her gentle voice in so long.

"Okay, thanks, Mom." I hugged her.

It's been so long since I felt the warmth in her arms.

In my previous life, after I died, my mother was devastated and gave up her career.

When Sophie framed me, my mother was the only one who fought to clear my name.

While everyone else cursed me, slandered me, and hated me, my mother was the only one who always believed in me.

She was only in her forties, but her hair was already turning gray.

"I'm fine now, Mom. Go back to sleep." I didn't want to let go, but I gave her a sweet smile anyway.

"Alright. Just remember, I've always got your back." As she spoke, she gently eased me back onto the bed and tucked me in with care before tiptoeing out of the room.

My mother was right. She always had my back.

In my previous life, my mother never bought the story that I had 'accidentally' fallen off that cliff. Her suspicions only grew after my cousin started stirring the pot with her lies.

So, she disguised herself as a cleaning lady and managed to get hired at the home of Sophie, who was already a star.

My mother discovered everything while Sophie was playing fast and loose with that delinquent of hers.

She bided her time, waiting in the shadows of her grief. Late at night, when the world was silent, she doused the perimeter of the room in alcohol and lit a match.

The flames spread quickly, swallowing the house and everyone inside.

Everyone mourned the downfall of a rising star. But nobody spared a thought for the mother in the corner who, having lost her daughter, met her own end with a peaceful smile.

Tears streamed down my face, my eyes burning with hatred.

Sophie, you'd better watch your back. This time around, I'm going to give you exactly what you deserve.

*****

"Emily, I'm here to see you." A cheerful voice called out.

It was her.

She barged into my room without knocking, her footsteps hurried. "Emily, why aren't you up..." Her voice, hinted with jealousy, trailed off.

I was sitting at my desk, buried in my textbooks.

When I heard Sophie's voice, I took a breath to compose myself before turning around. "What are you doing here? Wait outside. I'm studying."

With that, I just ignored her and kept reading.

"Oh... I thought you were still sleeping," Sophie said awkwardly.

I was already wearing my headphones, tuning her out.

Behind my back, she rolled her eyes and muttered, "Such a fake," before heading out.

I saw the whole thing through the mirror on my desk. I found it hilarious now. How on earth was I so blind to think she was a good person back then?

I pulled myself together and focused on my books. It had been ages since I'd touched high school material. I had to start from square one.