My parents blocked the university gates with a two-month-old infant in their arms. The moment they saw me, they demanded I take the baby home and sign the paperwork to become her legal mother. “Having a baby in college won’t ruin your life, but your sister is marrying into old money. She can’t have a stain on her record.” I refused. “Whoever gave birth to her, raises her.” They chased me all the way to my classroom, cursing me for being an unwed mother who abandoned her child. In the ensuing scuffle, I was pushed over the balcony railing. The back of my head smashed into the concrete below. I died on the spot. My parents used my wrongful death settlement to raise the kid. They started streaming online, playing the victims, and raked in donations. After marrying into a billionaire family, my sister wiped her tears in front of the cameras: “My sister is gone, so I will raise her child as my own.” She rightfully took the kid back and earned a saint-like reputation. I was expelled posthumously, spat on by society, and used as a cautionary tale. When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the campus gates. My parents held the baby, their faces stained with tears. “Emma, you carried this child for nine months. How could you just throw her away?” I turned to the campus security guard. “I don’t know these people. They’re impersonating my parents. Please call the police.” 1 The two of them froze for a second. My dad, Richard, took a massive stride forward, his finger practically jabbing my face. “Emma Carter, have you lost your damn mind? We are your flesh and blood!” “Fine, you don’t want to claim us, but this is your biological daughter! Are you abandoning her too?” “If it wasn’t for her, do you think we’d drive all the way down here just to see your attitude?” “Yes, you embarrassed us, but the baby is innocent! You owe her a life!” He was panting heavily, his eyes bloodshot. A crowd began to gather. My mom, Susan, pulled his hand down. Looking at the ground, she patted the baby and choked back a sob. “Emma… I’ve been agonizing over this for days… But the baby needs a Social Security Number. She needs health insurance. She can’t be a ghost in the system forever…” The crowd started whispering. “So cold-blooded. She won’t even acknowledge her own parents!” “Having a kid in college isn’t the end of the world. Can’t they just talk it out?” “If she dared to tell security to call the cops, maybe these two are scammers.” “Who would be stupid enough to impersonate someone’s parents at their college? It’s definitely the girl abandoning her family.” In my past life, I only wanted to keep the peace. As a result, the security guard believed them and let them on campus. They chased me to my classroom, caused a scene, and pushed me off the balcony. I watched them act in silence. When they finished, I finally spoke. “Since you’re my parents, what’s my major?” The two of them looked at each other, stammering. The crowd craned their necks, waiting. My mom bit the bullet. “Your… your major’s name is too complicated. I can’t remember it right now.” My dad laughed awkwardly and nodded. “Right, we’re uneducated folks. We can’t remember those fancy words.” “Then you should at least know what I’m studying, right?” The crowd stared at them expectantly. They stared at each other for a long time before squeezing out: “Ma… Math?” I didn’t make a sound. My dad nudged my mom. She looked terrified. “…English?” I still didn’t react. “Then it’s Accounting!” “Right, right! It’s one of those STEM things.” They kept guessing one by one. The crowd slowly quieted down. Before I could even speak, the security guard, Officer Bob, couldn’t take it anymore. “She’s a Finance major! I just stand at the gate and even I know she’s Emma Carter, the star honors student of the Finance department. You call yourselves her parents and don’t even know what your daughter studies?” Someone recognized me. “That’s the senior who wins the full-ride scholarship every year!” My parents tried to argue. The looks from the crowd completely shifted. I looked at the guard. “Officer Bob, call the police.” Bob was furious. He immediately pulled out his radio to call dispatch. My mom’s face drained of color. She grabbed my dad and backed away. “You… you all…” Cursing under their breath, the two of them clutched the baby and pushed their way out of the crowd, never looking back. That night, I was doing homework when my roommates kept glancing at me hesitantly. Confused, I looked up. They tossed a phone onto my desk. “Look at this.” On the livestream of a viral TikToker named ‘CampusTea_Lexi’, my parents were crying tears of sorrow, accusing their daughter of abandoning her family. “We didn’t want to air our dirty laundry, but we have no choice. The baby needs to be legally registered. She’s the biological mother, who else is going to sign the papers?” They didn’t say my name, but they kept flashing photos and videos of a girl in a maternity ward. The girl looked exactly like me. That was my twin sister. But she went to college overseas, so no one would ever suspect her. Lexi yelled into the camera: “To this so-called ‘honors student mother’: you abandoned your child. Do you even deserve to be called human?” The viewer count had already hit 100k. I handed the phone back and smiled indifferently. “She just looks like me. They didn’t name names.” Just then, a text popped up on my phone: Emma, as long as you behave, we’ll clear your name. I didn’t reply and locked the screen. Right before bed, another text arrived: You can hide today, but you can’t hide tomorrow. I knew they wouldn’t let this go. And I was ready for them. 2 The livestream blew up quickly, trending across Twitter and TikTok. I went to the dining hall for breakfast and looked at the menu. “I’ll take some oatmeal…” “We’re out.” The cafeteria lady stared at me, deadpan. “A couple of bagels…” “Out of those too.” I took a deep breath. “Pancakes and a coffee.” “Sold out.” Watching the next line happily grab oatmeal, bagels, and coffee, I snapped. “Ma’am, if your station is closed, put up a sign. If it isn’t, then you’re deliberately targeting me.” “I can file a complaint with your manager or Campus Dining Services. Which one do you prefer?” She glared at me, reluctantly plating my pancakes and coffee, muttering, “Toxic bitch. Why are you even eating?” Under the pointing and whispering of everyone around me, I slowly finished my breakfast. When I walked into the lecture hall, the noisy room went dead silent. The moment I sat down, the students in the rows ahead and behind me immediately moved their books and grabbed their bags, clearing a massive empty circle around me. “She’s the one from the livestream who abandoned her baby!” “How does she even have the nerve to show up to class?” “I heard she got knocked up and dumped by some guy. She was so humiliated she disowned her parents and dumped the kid.” A guy in the back row suddenly blew a wolf whistle. “Damn, the honors student is here! Plays hard to get, but she’s pretty wild behind closed doors, huh? Even got a kid to prove it.” “Wanna hang out tonight? We promise we won’t get you pregnant.” “We’re all classmates, don’t be so stuck up!” Laughter erupted around me. I felt nothing. In my past life, I had heard far worse. A few guys crowded around, reaching out to put their arms around my shoulders. Just as I was about to fight back, the professor pushed the door open. “Class is starting! Take your seats!” They smirked at me, dragging their feet back to their desks. At noon, I took my pitcher to the dorm’s water room. The faucet sputtered twice, then the water cut off. A few girls were leaning against the wall, one with her hand still on the main valve. “Sorry, this water is for human beings. You’re not human. Go somewhere else.” I walked over to turn the valve, but they swatted my hand away. “How did our university let a filthy piece of trash like you in? You’re worse than an animal. You deserve to die of thirst.” They laughed arrogantly. I pulled out my phone and pointed the camera at them. “Please, say that again.” Their faces dropped. They lunged to snatch my phone. My roommates rushed in to break it up, pulling me away. “Don’t stoop to their level. Go grab your laundry, we’ll get water for you.” When I got to the laundry room, I saw my duvet cover thrown into the dirt by the flowerbeds. It was covered in muddy footprints and splashed with massive dark stains—a mix of boba tea and coffee. I gripped my phone, snapped a photo, rolled the ruined sheets into a ball, and carried them back to my dorm. I had just laid down when my Academic Advisor called me to his office immediately. “Emma, last night’s livestream has caused massive blowback. Even though they didn’t explicitly name you, everyone knows. The university is under a lot of pressure, and the Study Abroad program wants to pull your spot in London.” “I believe in you, Emma, but this is spiraling out of control. Why don’t you communicate with your family? If this continues, you might be forced to take a leave of absence, or even…” Mr. Harrison was an older man, and it pained me to see him stress over this. In my past life, he was the only one who firmly believed in my innocence. “Mr. Harrison, I understand. I’ll handle it as soon as possible. I promise everything will be fine.” Right as I walked out of his office, my parents texted again: Heard you’re having a rough day. Have you thought it through? 3 The afternoon was a mandatory campus safety seminar about cyber-fraud. The university had invited the local police to speak. By the time I arrived, the auditorium was nearly packed. The moment I sat down, all eyes zeroed in on me. “Hey, Emma Carter, did you watch the livestream last night? Anything to say?” “It didn’t mention my name, so I don’t care,” I replied calmly. The moment I spoke, a girl in the front row stood up aggressively. “Emma Carter, how can you be so shameless?” I looked up. It was her. She smiled sweetly at the crowd, her voice bright and loud. “Hi everyone, I’m CampusTea_Lexi! I’m just a kind-hearted person who can’t stand seeing someone play the victim. So, I specially invited our senior’s parents here today—to give them a chance to clear the air. What do you guys think?” “Yes!” Applause and jeers filled the room. She excitedly ran to the door and ushered my parents inside. Carrying a cheap duffel bag and holding the baby, they walked up to me, looking entirely helpless. Lexi held up her phone, livestreaming. “Don’t be afraid, Mr. and Mrs. Carter. Tell everyone your grievances. We all support you.” My parents thanked her profusely. My mom stepped forward, carefully bringing the baby closer to me. “Emma, look at her. She’s so cute. She doesn’t cry or make a fuss. Mom isn’t asking for much, just sign the paperwork so she has a legal identity. She can live with us forever, I swear she will never bother you.” I glanced over. The baby was sleeping soundly, pink and chubby. She really was cute. Her real mother sure knew how to use her. “Yeah, the baby’s cute. But what does she have to do with me?” My parents clenched their jaws so hard their cheeks trembled. They were furious I wasn’t falling in line, but they couldn’t break character. Chaos erupted around us. “Fuck! She disowns her parents AND her kid? Worse than an animal!” “Her mom is practically begging on her knees, and she doesn’t even blink. That’s pure evil!” “Who cares if she gets good grades if she’s a garbage human being?” Lexi shoved her phone in my face. “Emma, your parents gave you life, raised you, and paid for your tuition. You haven’t even made it big yet and you’re already this ungrateful? Did your education just go straight down the toilet?” The crowd roared with laughter. “If you give birth, you raise it! Should’ve kept your legs closed!” “She doesn’t deserve to be a college student. She’s a cancer to society!” “Sue her for child abandonment! Throw her in jail!” Lexi gestured for the crowd to quiet down, asking again, “Emma, I’m just going to ask you one thing. Are you going to take responsibility for your child?” I straightened my back and looked her dead in the eye. “I refuse to acknowledge any of your accusations.” Lexi shook her head. “Well, my followers, you all saw her attitude. I guess I have no choice…” The shouting grew louder and more vicious. My parents frantically bowed and apologized. “Please stop yelling at her! Every curse word breaks a parent’s heart. We apologize on her behalf.” “It’s our fault for not raising her right. We’re sorry for causing trouble for everyone and the university. Our Emma isn’t a bad person, she’s just confused right now.” The crowd quieted. Some people even started sniffing and wiping tears. When the berating stopped, I slowly spoke up. “You keep saying this child is mine. Besides photos and videos, do you have any actual proof?” Lexi froze. “Emma, we got them authenticated. The photos and videos are real.” “But the person in them might not be me.” My parents’ faces changed. Gritting his teeth, my dad pulled a stack of papers from his bag. “Emma, we didn’t want it to come to this. You forced our hand.” Lexi took the documents, flipping through them eagerly. Her face lit up. “A DNA test report, hospital maternity records with a signature and fingerprints. Irrefutable evidence! What else do you have to say now, Emma?” 4 I flipped through the documents my parents prepared, page by page. It was exactly like my past life. They had used these exact papers to convict me in the court of public opinion, getting me pushed off a balcony before I could ever defend myself. More and more phones were pointed at me. Everyone was waiting for me to bow my head and confess. My parents looked like the ultimate victims, but they couldn’t hide the smug glimmer in their eyes. I scoffed. “These things can be forged.” Lexi flushed red with anger. “You…!” Just then, the auditorium doors were slammed open. Dean Thomas marched in, his face livid, followed closely by a sweating Mr. Harrison. “Emma Carter! The university has received massive amounts of complaints regarding your behavior.” “Disowning your parents, abandoning your child, and destroying the school’s reputation. You are not only violating moral decency, but you are skirting the law. The university cannot sit back and watch.” “Your Study Abroad scholarship is hereby revoked. You are to take an immediate leave of absence. Don’t come back until you’ve corrected your mistakes!” I looked up. “Dean Thomas, you’re condemning me before a proper investigation? Isn’t that a little rash?” The Dean scowled. Mr. Harrison waved his hands frantically at me to stop talking. My mom shoved the baby into my dad’s arms and rushed forward, grabbing the Dean’s sleeve. “Sir, please! Please don’t suspend her! Our Emma worked so hard to get into college, you can’t ruin her life!” She paused, begging bitterly. “She… she just made a mistake. College students get married and have kids all the time, right? Can’t you just treat it like that? As long as she signs the papers for the baby, we promise we won’t make any more trouble.” “If that’s not enough, I’ll get on my knees for you, okay?” Dean Thomas quickly caught my mom to stop her from kneeling, glaring coldly at me. “Emma Carter, look at your parents. Begging for you, swallowing their pride, yet you show absolutely zero remorse.” I ignored him. I sent a quick text to my roommate before looking up. The Dean grew even angrier, his voice booming. “Emma Carter, you will make a public apology right now! To your parents, to your child, and to this university!” I smiled. “Just wait a second.” My mom grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight. “Emma, behave.” She pinched me hard. She turned back to the Dean, bowing. “Sir, please don’t punish her. Punish us! We’ll apologize for her!” The crowd grew restless again. “Even the Dean stepped in, and she’s still acting like this. Thick as a brick wall.” “So arrogant. Wait till karma gets her.” “She’s completely beyond saving.” The insults rained down from all sides. In my past life, my parents did this exact routine. The tears, the begging, the whole performance. No matter how much I explained, nobody listened. Eventually, my dad had dragged me toward the door by force, and in the struggle, I fell down the stairs. Everyone claimed I killed myself because of a guilty conscience. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. Up on stage by the computer, my roommate flashed me an ‘OK’ sign. The real show was about to start. I turned to my parents, clearing my throat. “You two worked really hard on this performance. I have to applaud you. Let me just confirm one thing. What exact date was this baby born?” My parents exchanged a look, thinking I was finally giving in. The corners of their mouths twitched into smiles. “Emma, you forgot? You checked into the hospital on August 8th and delivered the baby on the 10th.” “Are you sure?” “Of course we’re sure. We were by your side the whole time.” I nodded. “Great. Now I’m going to show everyone something too. Let’s see exactly where I was during those days.”
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