I was caught up in a minor incident late at night, and ended up at the precinct. That’s when the officer pulled up my records. The officer looked at me, masked, and frowned. “An Ivy League graduate? What are you doing out on the streets at midnight?” It was only then that I saw it—the ID number on the file was mine, but the photo was Ava’s. Turns out, twenty years ago, I got into an Ivy League university! I stumbled home, my mind reeling, only to hear my husband, Julian Ashworth, on the phone: “Ava, I won’t let Lulu bother you. Go abroad, don’t worry about a thing.” It was him! Julian Ashworth helped Ava steal my life! My stomach churned. I turned, ready to expose him and Ava, but Julian grabbed a belt and choked the life out of me. “I’m sorry, Lulu. You can’t stand in the way of Ava’s future…” When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the classroom. Our homeroom teacher was handing out university application forms. This time, I’m taking my life back! “Lulu, decided on a university yet?” My deskmate’s voice snapped me back to reality. One second ago, I was still drowning in the agony of suffocation. I looked at my unfamiliar, youthful deskmate and realized I’d been reborn. “Lulu, what’s wrong?” A thrill of joy surged through me. I shook my head vigorously. The homeroom teacher spoke up: “Fill out these forms first so I can get a sense of your choices.” I stared at him—Mr. Ashworth, Julian’s father. Our exam results had been out for ages. There was no need to fill out forms on paper; we could do it online from home. But Mr. Ashworth made an excuse to get all the students to come in anyway. It was clear he was just hand-picking students to be manipulated for Ava’s benefit. I clenched my fists, remembering my previous life. Julian had started pursuing me right around this time. I stared at the application form, filling it out randomly. Maybe it was my imagination, but I distinctly felt Mr. Ashworth glance at me. Sure enough, after I handed in the form, he said, “Lulu, come to my office.” With that, he walked away with my form. Chloe tugged my arm. “You did so well this time, you’ll definitely get into an Ivy League school!” I scored the highest in our class – 702 points – but I still didn’t get in. I went to Mr. Ashworth multiple times. He told me I was aiming too high, that I’d filled in choices beyond my reach. But hadn’t he suggested that law program himself? I glanced at Julian, who was sleeping in the corner, and nodded at Chloe. Yeah, this time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake. I pushed open the office door. Mr. Ashworth looked at me. “Lulu, you did exceptionally well this time. Why choose these schools?” I had filled in choices for community colleges, several of them. “High employment rates,” I stated, enunciating each word. Mr. Ashworth visibly fell silent, then said earnestly, “You really shouldn’t fill in things randomly. A legal career is a very suitable choice for a young woman.” As he spoke, he opened his computer and pulled up the university application page. I stared at the screen, my gaze full of sarcasm. So, now that I wasn’t cooperating, he was going to force me to fill it out, only for it to be replaced by Ava’s choices later? “No thanks, Mr. Ashworth. I just want to drive a tractor.” With that, I turned to leave and bumped right into Julian, who was walking in. “Lulu, if you have any questions about your application, you can ask me. I’ve always wanted to study law.” Hearing that, a particular sensitivity flared in my heart. So that’s how it was. Both of them were hinting that I should choose a law program. But this time, I wouldn’t let them get their way. I nodded. “Thanks, but no need. I have a major I want to pursue.” Julian lowered his gaze, a smile playing on his lips. “Alright.” I bolted out of the office, seeing Julian instinctively close the door behind him, then turn back and stand outside, eavesdropping. “Dad, Lulu isn’t cooperating. Can’t we pick someone else?” A cold dread washed over me. Julian was trying to ruin another student’s life! Mr. Ashworth’s voice was cold. “Lulu has the best grades; it’s the safest bet. You know we owe Ava this.” I turned and left, a bitter laugh in my heart. They owe Ava, so they’re going to repay her with my life?
In my previous life, after Julian and I started dating, I worked day and night, preparing to re-sit the entrance exams. Julian said he’d register me, but in the end, I wasn’t registered. He insisted it was because retaking the exams wasn’t allowed anymore, that the regulations were strict. I believed him. Later, I wanted to take an adult education exam. He said it was useless even if I passed, but I was determined to take it. However, my alarm didn’t ring that day, and I was late. I confronted Julian, asking if he’d turned it off. He looked innocent, claiming he was worried about disturbing my sleep. I was trembling with anger, but Julian held me, saying, “Lulu, let’s get married. No matter if you pass or not, I’ll always love you.” I cried in his arms for a long time. My dreams were filled with exam questions; how could I give up? Later, Julian claimed he was in massive debt from a work project and couldn’t pay it back. Blinded by love, I worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk, juggling three or four jobs a day. Looking back now, Julian was only with me to control me. He was worried I’d impact Ava’s future. So he constantly stopped me from moving forward. Back in the classroom, I packed my things and left school. When I got home, Chloe sent me a message saying Julian had been looking for me. I replied casually. Looks like he still hadn’t given up. My parents were often working out of town. After hearing my scores, they just wired me some money and ordered a cake, saying they’d be back next month. I understood them. They worked on construction sites; one less day of work meant one less day of pay. I wasn’t in a hurry to fill out my university application; I still had two days. But someone else was in a hurry. That evening, I went for a walk and ran into Julian. Julian smiled at me. “Lulu, what a coincidence.” “I thought you lived on the west side of town.” Julian looked natural. “I had some errands here. Where are you going? I’ll walk with you.” I said coldly, “No need. Stay away from me.” Julian paused, then looked hurt. “You… you hate me that much?” I stared him down. “Yes, I hate you. Just stay away from me.” Julian’s breath hitched. Maybe he couldn’t understand why I hated him so much when he was so popular, the school heartthrob. If it weren’t illegal, I would literally stab him. I wanted him dead and gone. “Lulu, if you hate me, you at least owe me a reason.” Julian’s voice was low, his eyes fixed on me. Julian certainly had good looks; otherwise, how could I have been so infatuated in my past life? Suddenly, a voice from nearby called out, “Julian, what are you doing here?” Ava jogged over and hugged Julian’s arm. I distinctly felt him stiffen. This was the first time I’d seen Ava up close—the person who stole my future in my previous life. “Who are you?” Ava eyed me suspiciously. I smiled. “Lulu. Julian’s classmate.” Ava’s face subtly changed. “Didn’t you say you were going to buy me snacks?” So it really was a coincidence. Julian replied naturally, “I forgot. You go home first; I have something to deal with here.” Ava’s voice rose slightly. “Julian, what do you mean?” Julian pushed Ava away. I don’t know what he said to her, but he came back alone. “Lulu, she’s my mom’s friend’s daughter.” I countered, “Why are you telling me this?” Julian’s tone was serious. “I like you, and I don’t want you to misunderstand.” Hearing that, a wave of nausea washed over me. Here we go again. “I don’t like you. You make me sick just looking at you,” I said coldly. Julian’s face visibly paled. He clenched his fist. “What did I do wrong?” I stared at him. “You’re too ugly.” And too despicable. Julian’s lips parted slightly. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him and kept walking. “Lulu! I won’t give up!” Julian shouted after me. I sneered inwardly. There are only two days left. What can you possibly do to me? I’ll submit my application at the very last second. They won’t have any chance to swap it.
The next day, when I got home from school, I found many roses arranged by my front door. Julian stood in the hallway, tall and elegant. He stared intently at me. “Lulu, yesterday’s confession was too rushed. I want to be serious about it now.” I said coldly, “No matter how serious you are, I’ll never like you.” “Then who do you like? Is there anyone better looking than me?” Julian’s voice was urgent. I pulled out my keys, ready to go inside, but Julian blocked my way. “Lulu, I truly like you. I want to go to law school with you.” I looked at him strangely. When did I ever say I wanted to study law? I smiled. “Sorry, but your grades aren’t good enough. Give it up, you loser.” Julian’s tone leveled out. “Lulu, can you not be so harsh?” I stared at him, saying nothing. “Since you’ve decided to study law, you should quickly submit your application.” A mischievous thought suddenly sparked in my mind. “I won’t. I want to drive a tractor.” I clearly saw a muscle in Julian’s jaw visibly twitch. I opened my front door, walked in, and firmly shut it, almost hitting Julian’s nose. The next day, I received many messages. The news of the school heartthrob confessing his feelings for me was known by all the students. The news, of course, came from Julian. No doubt about it. Mr. Ashworth called me many times, but I didn’t answer any of them. After a few seconds, he called again. He spoke almost immediately. “Lulu, you’re a good kid. I have no objections to you and Julian dating.” He hadn’t objected in my previous life either. Back then, I was even happy that Mr. Ashworth didn’t look down on me for not getting into university. “My son has always wanted to study law and become an excellent lawyer. I hope you can work hard with him.” I smirked, a glint in my eyes. “Alright.” Mr. Ashworth paused, then his voice brightened with a laugh. “It’s wonderful that you agree!” I hung up, barely suppressing my laughter. Just now, I’d changed my mind. It would be incredibly satisfying to mess with them. I wanted to make sure Ava could never get into university. After all, if not me, I worried there would be another victim. Julian, hearing that I’d agreed to be with him, quickly came to find me. He immediately asked, “Have you submitted your application?” “Not yet. Tomorrow.” Julian visibly relaxed. “Want to hang out with me? My friends are having a get-together.” I nodded. “Sure.” Julian looked at me, still feeling uneasy, not understanding why I’d changed so much. But what did it matter? He was the one running out of time. Ava was there too. When she saw me, she dramatically rolled her eyes. I said bluntly, “Ava, is your eye twitching?” “What?” Ava looked startled. I continued, “Why are you rolling your eyes at me? Do it again, and I’ll poke them out.” Ava shot up, but Julian firmly pushed her back down. “Ava, behave yourself.” Ava’s eyes turned red with anger. “Julian, how can you talk to me like that?!” I raised my hand and smacked her across the face. Everyone present froze. Ava clutched her face, and Julian’s expression clearly changed. “Lulu! How dare you hit me!” Ava lunged at me like a madwoman, but Julian held her back firmly. “Ava, calm down. Just endure it.” Julian’s words slowly brought Ava back to her senses.
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