In the dead of night, I got pulled into the County Jailhouse on a misunderstanding while selling goods on the street. The officer looked at my ID and, with a strange expression, said, “Wait, you graduated from Washington Ivy College. What are you doing selling things on the street at this hour?” I realized with a shock—the ID number on the file was mine, but the photo wasn’t. It was Claire Bright’s. Twenty years ago, I had been accepted into Washington Ivy! I stumbled back home, dazed, only to overhear my husband Damon Everett on the phone saying, “Claire, don’t worry about Callie Reid bothering you. You just go ahead and move overseas.” It was him! Damon Everett had helped Claire Bright take over my life! My stomach churned. I turned to confront him and reveal the truth, but Damon caught me off guard, strangling me to death with his belt. His last words rang out coldly, “Sorry, Callie, but you can’t get in the way of Claire’s future.” When I opened my eyes again, I was back in high school, right in the classroom as my teacher handed out the college application forms. This time, I’m taking my life back. Content
“Callie, have you decided where you want to apply yet?” I snapped out of the pain-filled memories and turned to my desk mate. His young face seemed so strange and innocent. That’s when I realized: I’d been given a second chance. “Callie, what’s up with you?” he asked, worried. I smiled and shook my head to reassure him, a burst of joy flaring inside me. Our teacher—Mr. Everett, Damon’s father—began speaking. “Go ahead and fill out your forms so I can get an idea of your plans,” he said. I fixed my eyes on Mr. Everett. It struck me now—he was helping Damon scout out prospects for Claire. We already knew our test scores, so there was no reason to gather in class to fill out paper forms. But he was calling everyone here, probably just to pick out the best for Claire. I clenched my fists, remembering how Damon had started pursuing me around this same time in my last life. I filled out the form randomly, ignoring his instructions. When I glanced up, I caught Mr. Everett watching me with a look I couldn’t quite read. Sure enough, after I turned in the form, Mr. Everett called out, “Callie Reid, come to my office.” He took my form and walked off without another word. “You scored the highest in the class this time, Callie. You’re definitely going to Washington Ivy,” my desk mate said. I had scored 702 points, the highest in class, and still didn’t get in last time. I had gone to Mr. Everett so many times, desperate to know why, and he had blamed my rejection on overreaching, saying I’d aimed too high with his recommendation for the Pre-Law Program. I glanced over at Damon, who was napping in the corner. I nodded to my desk mate. No way would I fall for this twice. I pushed open the office door, and Mr. Everett looked up. “Callie, you scored very well. Why did you choose these schools?” I had listed community colleges, one after another. “High employment rate,” I answered, spacing out each word. Mr. Everett went silent, then softened his tone. “You don’t need to aim low, Callie. It’s better for a young woman to study law.” He opened his laptop, pulling up the application portal for me. I stared at the screen, holding back a sarcastic laugh. He thought he could push me into filling it out his way? Did he think I’d willingly pave the way for Claire again? “No thanks, Mr. Everett. I’d rather drive a tractor,” I said, and turned to go, nearly bumping into Damon in the doorway. “Callie Reid, if you need help with the applications, just let me know. I’ve always wanted to study law.” Hearing this, I felt a spark of suspicion. So that’s it—they’re both trying to steer me toward law, hoping I’ll fall into their trap. “No, thanks,” I said calmly. “I already know what I want.” Damon gave a faint smile. “Alright, then.” I left the office in a hurry, catching Damon as he closed the door and leaned against it to eavesdrop. “Dad, if Callie doesn’t cooperate, can’t we just pick someone else?” I froze. Damon was willing to ruin someone else’s life too if I didn’t go along with it? “Callie’s got the highest score. She’s the safest bet,” Mr. Everett replied in a cold tone. “We owe Claire this chance. You know that.” I walked away, shaking my head. Owe Claire? So now my future’s the currency they’re paying with?
In my past life, I gave up everything for Damon, putting in endless hours to retake the college exams. Damon said he’d register me but later claimed he couldn’t because of some new regulations. I believed him. Later, I wanted to try for the adult college exam, but he said it was pointless. I decided to take it anyway, but on the test day, my alarm didn’t go off. I confronted him, and he insisted he’d turned it off to let me sleep. I was furious, but he held me close, saying, “Callie, let’s just get married. I’ll love you whether or not you go to college.” I cried in his arms, dreams of my future slipping away. But he was happy to let them. Damon later claimed he’d racked up debt from a work project, so I took on three, four jobs a day to help him repay it. Looking back, he must have seen me as an obstacle in Claire’s path, something to be controlled. Back in the classroom, I packed my things and headed home, ignoring a message from my desk mate saying Damon had been looking for me. He wasn’t giving up. My parents worked out of town, and when they heard about my score, they sent me some money and ordered a cake for me, though they wouldn’t be back until next month. I understood them—they were out there working construction jobs, every day on the job meaning one more day’s pay. I wasn’t in any rush to submit my college preferences; there were still two days left. But some people were getting antsy. That night, I went for a walk and ran into Damon. “Fancy meeting you here, Callie.” “Don’t you live on the west side?” I asked, already annoyed. Damon shrugged. “I had some errands over here. Want some company?” “No,” I said icily. “Stay away from me.” Damon looked stunned, then hurt. “Do you…hate me?” I stared at him. “Yes. So stay away from me.” Damon took a sharp breath. With his looks and popularity, he probably couldn’t fathom why I’d hate him so much. If it wasn’t illegal, I’d have knifed him already and been done with it. “Callie, if you hate me, at least tell me why.” Damon’s voice was low, his gaze intense. It was true—Damon was handsome. Otherwise, how would he have had me wrapped around his finger before? A voice called from nearby. “Damon, what are you doing here?” Claire Bright ran over and clung to his arm. I saw him tense up, just barely, but I noticed. It was my first close look at the woman who stole my future. “Who’s this?” Claire’s eyes narrowed at me. I smiled. “Callie Reid, Damon’s classmate.” Claire’s face shifted slightly. “Didn’t you say you were going to get me some snacks?” So, they’d just happened to bump into each other. Damon smoothly replied, “I forgot. You go home; I’ve got something to handle here.” Claire’s voice sharpened. “Damon, what do you mean?” He ushered her off, then turned back to me, his expression serious. “She’s just my mom’s friend’s daughter.” “Why tell me?” I asked. Damon’s tone was earnest. “I like you. I don’t want you to misunderstand.” I felt a wave of revulsion. Here we go again. “Well, I don’t like you,” I shot back. “You make me sick.” Damon’s face paled as he clenched his fists. “What did I do wrong?” “Your face is ugly,” I snapped, starting to walk away. “Callie Reid!” he shouted after me. “I’m not giving up!” I laughed coldly to myself. Only two days left. What could he possibly do?
The next day, I got home after school to find dozens of roses outside my door. Damon stood in the hallway, his tall figure cutting an impressive silhouette. “Callie, I know my confession was rushed yesterday. I want to do it properly this time.” “No matter how ‘proper’ you make it, I’ll never like you,” I replied coldly. “Well, who do you like then?” His voice was almost desperate. “Is there anyone better looking than me?” I fished out my keys, ignoring him. “Damon, I don’t like you, and I never will. You’re trash.” “Callie, you don’t have to be so harsh,” he said, trying to control his temper. I stared him down, saying nothing. “If you’re serious about law, you should submit your application soon.” I smirked, feeling a wicked sense of mischief. “Nah. I think I’d rather drive a tractor.” I watched as a vein throbbed in Damon’s temple. I unlocked the door, swinging it closed so forcefully that it nearly hit him in the nose. The next day, I got flooded with messages. Word had spread that “the heartthrob” had confessed to me, and everyone knew. Of course, Damon was the one spreading it. Mr. Everett called me multiple times, and after I ignored him, he finally got through. “Callie, you’re a good kid. I have no problem with you dating Damon.” He hadn’t minded in my past life either. Back then, I’d been happy he didn’t hold it against me that I hadn’t gotten into college. “My son has always wanted to study law and become a top lawyer. I’d love it if you could join him in that effort.” I smiled, a spark lighting up my eyes. “Sure.” Mr. Everett hesitated, then chuckled. “You agreeing is fantastic news.” I hung up and laughed. Playing along with them was going to be fun. Without me, Claire Bright would have no hope. I’d make sure no one else fell into their trap. Damon heard I’d agreed to be with him and rushed over. “Did you submit your application yet?” he asked immediately. “Not yet. Tomorrow.” Damon relaxed, looking relieved. “Want to come out with me?” Damon asked. “My friends are having a little get-together.” I nodded. “Sure.” Damon studied me, clearly thrown off by my sudden change in attitude. But that didn’t matter. He was the one with a time limit now, not me. Claire Bright was there too, and when she spotted me, she shot a dramatic eye-roll in my direction. I looked straight at her. “Claire, you got something wrong with your eye?” “What?” Claire blinked, caught off guard. “Why’re you rolling your eyes at me? Do it again, and I’ll poke them out for you.” Claire jerked to her feet, fuming, but Damon pushed her back down. “Claire, have some manners.” Her face turned red with anger. “Damon, I can’t believe you’d talk to me like that!” I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. Everyone froze, shocked. Claire cupped her cheek, and Damon’s expression changed immediately. “Callie Reid! How dare you hit me!”
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