I purposely ended up in the hospital, successfully getting Liam to stay by my side all night. That made him miss out on Maya, the school’s undisputed queen. When he found out the truth, he hated me for ten years. During my incredibly dangerous childbirth, he immediately chose for the doctors to save the baby. He said, “This is what you owe me.” Reborn, seeing Liam again, I just smiled. “Congratulations to you both. I wish you a long and happy life together.” Just before college graduation, Liam and Maya officially became a couple. At the farewell party, the entire class gathered around a long table, cheering them on. “A toast to the happy couple!” Liam’s ears burned a deep crimson, looking like they might actually bleed. He silently raised his glass, gazing at Maya with a fond smile. Seeing him like that, I couldn’t help but remember us back in high school. It was during the school track meet, he’d signed up for the sprint, and, as expected, he took first place. I stood at the finish line, ready to hand him a towel, and even then, his ears were just as red as they are now. “Liam is crazy for Maya, giving up his chance to study abroad just for her.” Sarah’s voice cut through the chorus of congratulations, sounding a little jarring. She turned to me. “You two grew up together, why didn’t you try to talk him out of it?” I couldn’t help but laugh. Who said I didn’t try? I remembered the last life, on this exact day, Liam had stood before me, his face twisted with hatred. “Chloe, explain yourself.” On his phone, a recording played—Maya had sent it to him. In the recording, I admitted that I’d deliberately fallen down the stairs to prevent Liam from meeting her. She’d also sent him a photo. In it, Liam was sleeping soundly beside my hospital bed. Liam’s face was a mask of fury I had never seen before. Not even when he’d missed out on being top of our grade in a monthly exam had he looked like that. “There’s nothing to explain,” I said, my voice flat. “It’s exactly as you know it to be.” I knew explanations were useless. He’d only believe what he wanted to believe. Anything I said now would be pointless. He would never believe there was a first half to that recording. In that unseen part, Maya’s voice, sweet and venomous, had said: “I heard you two grew up together. I just found it amusing, wanted to see how strong your bond really was.” “If you had just waited patiently, someday, when I got bored, maybe I would have just tossed him aside.” “But it looks like you couldn’t wait. No worries, I don’t want him now, but I won’t let you have him either.” If he had actually heard that, he would have only said one thing. “Chloe, you’re absolutely insane.” Now, I sat in the corner, silently watching them finish their drinks. Suddenly, someone who loved to stir the pot and watch the drama unfold shouted, “Liam, where’s your childhood best friend, Chloe?” I picked up my glass and walked from the corner towards them, a brilliant smile on my face, genuinely saying, “Congratulations to you both. I wish you eternal happiness.”
My parents died in a car crash during my sophomore year of high school. They were fighting over the steering wheel, causing the car to plunge off the road and into the river below a cliff. I became an orphan overnight. Everyone thought I was pathetic, but all I felt was relief. A mother who, after an argument with my father, would choke me and scream about dying together. A father who would hit me to vent his anger whenever things went wrong at home. What was there for me to pity? The funny thing was, outside, they’d act like we were the perfect, loving family. Only Liam Hayes knew the truth. Even though I tried my best to hide them, he saw the bruises on my neck. He pulled up my sleeves and saw the scars on my arms. He once told me: “The more this happens, the more you have to fight. I’ll help you. Once you’re strong enough, they won’t be able to touch you.” Liam and I were childhood friends from the same street. When we moved away, our families ended up in the same neighborhood. When the arguments at home got too loud, I’d be afraid of getting choked. Afraid of getting beaten, I’d run to his place. His home was truly warm! Hot, steaming meals, all sorts of snacks, loving parents – it was paradise. Mrs. Hayes would always ask if I’d eaten, and Mr. Hayes would remind me to focus on my studies. Liam would clear half of his desk for me to study with him. He was smart, good at school, and well-liked. Even back when we lived on the street, all the adults said he was destined for great things. If my parents were looking for me after a fight, all I had to say was I was at Liam’s, and they’d leave me alone. I always remembered Liam’s words: “Get strong. Once you’re strong, they won’t be able to touch you.”
I once thought about confessing to Liam. But before I even had a chance to put my plan into action, Anya appeared. Anya attended an art university not far from Oxford, becoming famous online for her K-pop girl group dances and playing in a band. Even in a university teeming with gorgeous girls, she was the one who shone the brightest. She was the kind of girl no one could resist – passionate, vibrant, and radiating light effortlessly. She was from a whole other world. So, when rumors started swirling that the art university’s ‘it girl’ was pursuing Oxford’s aloof academic whiz, a lot of people were thrilled. Everyone chatted about how perfect they were for each other, saying that if they got together, they’d be legendary. While they talked, their glances would often, consciously or not, drift over to me. After all, *we* were once the talk of the town, the two brainy kids who’d grown up together. I was used to girls fawning over Liam and honestly thought my life wouldn’t change. Back then, besides my coursework, I was busy with various part-time jobs. Even with a full scholarship, living expenses were a significant cost. Plus, I had to plan for my future. Apart from that, I continued to discuss topics and eat meals with Liam as usual. But he started missing our meetups more and more often. Until one day, at the art university’s centenary celebration, Anya was the headliner, performing a popular K-pop girl group dance on stage. As the fast-paced music pulsed and the lights constantly shifted, that girl, freely unleashing all her youthful energy on stage, seemed to become the center of the world. The cheers from the audience were deafening. I glanced at Liam, and in his eyes, I saw a light I had never seen before. His gaze never left Anya.
Jax once missed a major inter-university speech competition for her. But I never wanted him and Aubrey to be together. Because one day, I overheard Aubrey on the phone in the restroom. “Meet me at the usual spot in a bit. I’ll bring him. It’s not a done deal yet, but almost. Just saying, I win this round.” “Are you kidding? There’s no guy I can’t handle.” “He’s a brainy type, right? Haven’t really dated one of those. Wanna see what it’s like. If it doesn’t work out, whatever, I’ll just move on to the next. What’s the big deal?” “Yeah, yeah, I’m ‘love-deprived’ – I just love watching guys fall head over heels for me, driving themselves insane.” “Wanna bet again? See how far he’ll go for me?” I just didn’t want to see him get ruined. So that day, I fell down the stairs, and in a daze, I clung to his hand, refusing to let him go. He was the one who changed my fate. I naively thought, this time, it was my turn to change his. He later went to explain things to Aubrey, but she already had a boyfriend. I initially thought that after that incident, Jax and I would still be friends, even if we couldn’t be lovers. Later, I realized how naive I was. I never imagined there’d come a day he’d hate me. Aubrey became a mountain standing between us. Aubrey had said she’d wait for him that day. If he showed up, it meant he agreed to be with her. If he didn’t, it meant they weren’t meant to be, and she wouldn’t try to hold onto him. After I married Jax, I once asked him why he used to be so good to me. Jax said it was because he felt sorry for me. “Then what about that kiss?” His expression stiffened then. He must have thought I was asleep at the time. “That was just foolishness from our younger days, nothing more.” His tone was cold and indifferent. “And besides, Claire, would you be where you are today without me? You’re asking for too much.” Jax became a true rising star in the world of physics. Despite multiple offers from top-tier international universities, he adamantly chose to stay in the country. He taught at a premier institution, had his own lab, and was revered by the industry. His research projects never lacked funding. Speeches, exclusive interviews, magazine covers – for a time, he was unstoppable. Meanwhile, I, after getting married, became pregnant, and with a delicate pregnancy, I had to stop my own research work. I was left alone in an empty room, enduring his icy silence. Our marriage was practically an arrangement, forced upon us to fulfill the dying wish of Jax’s critically ill mother. It wasn’t until that moment that I finally understood. When the captain veers off course, it’s not your job to steer him back. It’s about finding your own ship, becoming your own captain. In this life, I didn’t let myself fall down the stairs. And he and Aubrey got their wish, ending up together. I’m incredibly curious about his future. I want to see what kind of man he’ll become.
I never went back to Liam’s house. When my mom grabbed my throat, threatening to take us both down, I grabbed hers right back. “Fine,” I hissed, “Let’s just die then.” I’d already been to hell and back. Who was she to scare me? That scared her so bad, she never dared to lay a hand on me again. When my dad got drunk and started looking for a fight, I grabbed a kitchen knife and lunged at him. It sobered him up instantly. He never dared to act out like that around me again. When they started fighting again, I fought harder than both of them combined. I smashed everything in the house, screaming that if they messed with my studies, I’d make sure no one had it good. “She’s insane! This girl has completely lost it!” they’d shriek. My dad, the one who usually outdid me a hundredfold in his drunken rages, slammed the door and stormed out. My outbursts were so loud, the whole neighborhood knew our business. Not long after, they divorced. Neither of them wanted me, but the court still awarded custody to my mom. My dad moved out. By the time I started high school, my mom had found her ‘new life’ and abandoned me. She just left. After that, I was alone in that house. The neighbors felt sorry for me again. What they didn’t know was how truly happy I was. From then on, I climbed step by step, following the path I’d carved in my past life. I’d always had one regret: if I hadn’t gotten pregnant back then, if I hadn’t stopped my research, how high could I have soared? **[Cut-off point]** One day, Liam rang my doorbell. Standing tall and slender in the doorway, that familiar confident smirk played on his lips – just like I remembered from my past life. “My mom made some sweet and sour ribs,” he said, holding out a container. “She told me to bring you some.” He handed me the container, glancing at my empty living room behind me. “My mom said if you’re ever free, you should come over for dinner,” he continued. “Don’t be shy. It’s just an extra fork at the table.” I just smiled at him, a silent, humorless twist of my lips. “Tell your mom I said thanks.” He nodded, turned to leave, but after two steps, he pivoted back to face me. “How do you do it?” he asked suddenly. “Do what?” “Always acing first place in our class?” For a moment, I was disoriented. I’d asked Liam that exact same question in my past life. Back then, he’d replied: “Because I’m destined for a bigger stage.” Me? I just didn’t have anyone or anything left to hold me back. I successfully got into Oxford University. On the first day of freshman orientation, we ran into each other at registration. He reached out a hand, a bright, dazzling smile on his face. “Looks like we’re classmates again, old friend. Take care of me, okay?” I gazed at his long, elegant fingers with their distinct knuckles, and returned his handshake. Just as I remembered, his hand was still as warm as it had been in my past life. But inside, my heart remained stubbornly blank.
My college life was still bustling and fulfilling. The only difference was that Liam wasn’t the one I discussed projects with anymore, nor was he the one I shared meals with. Sarah looked confused. “Aren’t you and Liam from the same town? How come you two aren’t closer?” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Who says people from the same place have to be close?” Liam had come to me with a project once, asking to discuss it together, but I’d turned him down. He probably hadn’t been rejected like that ever in his life. He just stood there, completely stunned, before finally asking, “Chloe, did I do something wrong? Why do I feel like you’ve been avoiding me?” I met his gaze, a slight, almost strained smile on my face. “No, not at all. I’m just genuinely swamped with work, no time for anything else.” I saw the faint disappointment in his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by Ashley’s appearance. For a while, everyone around us was buzzing about them. “Heard the most stunning girl from the Arts Department is chasing Liam.” “Honestly, they look perfect together. A gorgeous guy and a beautiful girl, totally made for each other.” “I heard Liam said yes to Ashley! They’re officially an item!” The news of the Arts Department’s queen bee finally getting the brilliant student managed to dilute some of the sadness that came with impending graduation. While everyone else was hustling, focused on their futures, Liam decided to drop out of college and leave town with Ashley. I couldn’t help but recall what I’d overheard in the restroom in my past life. A part of me was actually curious to see just how far he’d go for this relationship *this time*. But I guess, from now on, being so far away, I wouldn’t hear much about it anyway.
The last time I saw Liam before I left the country was at the airport. Chloe walked ahead, holding a vlogging camera, filming a video. Liam followed behind her, loaded down with bags, dragging two suitcases. When he saw me, his expression froze. I don’t know if he remembered his old ambition for Harvard, but right then, he seemed to shrink back, avoiding my eyes. Chloe noticed me too. She walked up, greeted me enthusiastically, and then waved at her camera. “Hey, Oxford genius! What a coincidence seeing you here. I heard you got into Oxford for grad school. Are you heading out now?” I discreetly moved away, offering a polite goodbye. After that, Liam and I went our separate ways, one left, one right. Like two parallel lines, never meant to cross again. That turn was our goodbye, forever. I remembered that day in my previous life. It was Mr. and Mrs. Miller who dropped us off at the airport. Back then, Liam and I hadn’t spoken for ages, but we tried our best to act normal for his parents. The moment we boarded the plane, Liam swapped seats with another passenger. We didn’t exchange another word until his mom fell gravely ill. Some people are just meant for different journeys. Forcing two separate paths to merge only brings misery.
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