The moment I first saw Caleb Reed, I was completely smitten. I put aside my pride as a wealthy heiress, chasing after a guy from a rough background every single day, completely ignoring the sneers and ridicule from everyone around me. But then, just as we were about to get married, Caleb didn’t hesitate to push me into the ocean. Turns out, it was all just a scheme, and I, like a complete idiot, walked right into his trap. The overwhelming resentment was so intense, it actually brought me back to life. I swore then and there: this time, I would make Caleb suffer every agony and torment imaginable. 0 “Do you even realize how utterly repulsive your high-and-mighty charity act was?” My hands and feet were bound together, and I was forced to my knees on the ground. Hearing that familiar voice, I looked up, unable to believe those words came from Caleb. He was the one who always clung to me. He was the one who always claimed he loved me. My body stiffened, my voice hoarse, “What… what do you mean?” Suddenly, my hair was yanked back hard. Caleb’s face was twisted into a malicious, undisguised grin. “Quinn Hayes, you’re no longer useful. Just die in peace!” “As for the company, I’ll take good care of it for you!” Caleb let go of my hair, pulling out a handkerchief with a look of pure disgust to wipe his fingers. Then he waved a hand at his bodyguards. My mind was a chaotic mess; I just stared blankly at Caleb’s every move. He stood there, looking so refined and aristocratic now, completely unlike the poor boy who used to be bullied in school. Before I could even process what was happening, I was ruthlessly thrown into the deep ocean. Immediately, water surged around me from all directions. I held my breath, desperately thrashing my body, trying to break free from the ropes. But the knots were dead tight. Caleb truly wanted me dead, leaving me no way out. My struggles grew weaker and weaker, the feeling of suffocation from lack of oxygen becoming overwhelming. Slowly, I closed my eyes, my tears dissolving into the seawater. I hated it so much. I hated myself for being so blind, for not being able to tell a beast from a human. If I could just get another chance, I swore I’d tear him limb from limb! 0
Light? How could there be light in the ocean? Though confused, I dragged my exhausted body, swimming desperately towards the light. Even if there was just a sliver of hope, I had to grasp it and fight to live. Only by being alive could I get my chance for revenge. I took a deep breath and snapped my eyes open. The surroundings were so familiar: white bed curtains, a faint smell of rubbing alcohol. This was the school infirmary. My best friend, Dean Miller, saw me wake up and excitedly grabbed my shoulders, shaking me hard. “Damn it, Quinn, you’re finally awake.” “You scared the crap out of me. My dad was about to ground me forever.” I felt a little dizzy from the shaking, but hearing Dean’s familiar voice, tears instantly welled up in my eyes. Me… was I truly alive again? In my last life, after Caleb and I got engaged, he went abroad, claiming he needed to take over the overseas company. I stared at Dean, dazed. It was really him. Suddenly, I hugged Dean tightly, sobbing with the relief of a near-death escape. I choked out, “Dean, it’s great, I’m still alive, still alive!” “Everything still has a chance!” Taken aback by the sudden embrace, Dean’s body stiffened, and his earlobes subtly turned red. But he slowly extended his arm, gently patting my back. He said softly, “Don’t cry. I’m here. I’ll make sure you’re safe.” 0
I cried for a long, long time, as if I was releasing all the grievances from my past life. Dean just let me hold him, quietly saying comforting words. My emotions gradually stabilized. I released my tight grip on Dean, feeling a bit awkward and shy. Though my body was that of a student, my mind was already 26. I’d just cried in the arms of 19-year-old Dean for so long; it was a little embarrassing. What was strange was that Dean didn’t mock me. He was so gentle and comforting. Could Dean have also been reborn? I looked at Dean suspiciously, trying to find any hint of a giveaway. He seemed to blush under my scrutiny. That made me even more curious; I even wanted to reach out and touch his face. “Wh-what are you looking at! Your tears are all over my shirt, it’s gross!” Dean turned his head, avoiding my outstretched hand, stammering and sounding disgusted. That typical cocky smirk. This was definitely Dean Miller from high school, no doubt about it. “Oh yeah? Well, it’s not just tears,” I said, unfazed. “There’s snot too!” Sure enough, Dean instantly blew up, ready to wrestle me to the ground. 0
A cough interrupted our playful bickering. In the corner, a boy was looking up at us. He had a fair complexion and wore black-rimmed glasses, the kind of look that usually made teachers fawn over him. Yet, an isolated aura clung to him. Seeing him, all the painful memories from my past life rushed back, and my body trembled. Not from fear, but from exhilarated anticipation. I had finally found my chance for revenge. Dean immediately steadied me, a worried look on his face. “What’s wrong? Are you still not feeling well? Maybe we should go to my family’s hospital?” With that, Dean reached for his phone to call his driver. I put a hand out, stopping him, and slowly shook my head. I said meaningfully, “I’m fine. My body feels perfectly good now.” Seeing my eyes fixed on the boy, Dean remembered to introduce him. “Oh, right, Quinn. Thanks to this guy, he found you unconscious and carried you to the school infirmary in time. You really should thank him!” “By the way, what was your name again?” Dean furrowed his brows in thought, realizing he had no memory of this person, and asked. The boy lowered his head again, remaining silent. Dean said in his usual carefree, teasing way, “What, is your name a state secret? Or are you temporarily mute?” The boy buried his head even lower, still not uttering a sound. “His name is Caleb Reed,” I said suddenly. Dean and Caleb both looked at me, one in surprise, the other in confusion. “Huh? You… you know him?” Of course, I knew him. In my past life, it was because he ‘saved’ me that I developed feelings for him, constantly helping him openly and secretly. I got him a spot at an elite university, then hand-picked him for a position at my family’s company. That’s how I gave him the opportunity to steal everything and take my life. This time, I wouldn’t be so foolish. You hated my help, didn’t you? Then you’ll get to savor the taste of being utterly alone and helpless! 0
I slowly walked forward, hooked my finger under his chin, and examined his face. I smiled. “You’re good-looking, but your heart is truly rotten.” I raised my hand and slapped him without hesitation. *Slap!* The entire room fell silent. Caleb’s left cheek was only slightly red. He stared at me expressionlessly. I shook my hand, regretting that I hadn’t been able to bruise his face. It seemed my body hadn’t fully recovered; my head felt a little dizzy, and I couldn’t put much force into it. Dean suddenly walked over to me, grabbed my hand, and examined it. It was just a little red, not swollen. I hadn’t been able to hit him that hard. “Are you out of your mind? You just woke up and you’re already throwing punches? Is your body okay? What if you pass out again?” “What kind of person is so important that you have to do it yourself? Am I just decoration?” Dean said a string of scolding words without taking a breath, all while gently massaging my reddened palm with his thumb. My eyes curved into crescents, a smile I couldn’t hide spread across my face. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I hit him? You just told me to thank him!” Dean didn’t even lift his head, his movements gentle as he massaged my palm. He snorted softly. “You hit him, you hit him. Why does there have to be a reason!” “How is your hand still so red? Maybe we should go to the hospital to get it bandaged!” Dean looked up at me, his expression serious. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you kidding me? By the time we get to the hospital, my hand will be fine. You’re worrying over nothing.” “Who am I doing this for? And you have the nerve to say I’m worrying over nothing?” Dean raised an eyebrow, his expression stern. I couldn’t help but beg for mercy. “Okay, okay, I was wrong. It’s all for me. Don’t be mad, don’t be mad.” 0
“Why? Why did you hit me?” Caleb stared at me intently. “Hmm…” I pretended to think. Then, a malicious smile spread across my face. “Because, well, I just find you so utterly unpleasant!” “You honestly disgust me!” My face was a picture of undisguised revulsion. I was giving Caleb his own words back to him. Caleb lowered his head, and the gloomy aura around him intensified. Dean grew a little impatient. “Why waste words on him? If you find him unpleasant, I’ll take care of it for you. You’ll be satisfied, I promise.” Dean took my hand and started to lead me out. “Come on, let’s get you some ice for that hand, make it feel better.” I obediently followed him out, but spoke with a forceful tone. “No, I have to handle this myself. You’re not to interfere.” “Alright, alright, whatever you say. Fine. This stubborn streak of yours, I don’t know who you get it from!” Dean’s voice was indulgent and doting. I balled my fist, about to playfully punch him, but he quickly blocked it. From behind me, an intensely dark and sinister gaze followed me. I looked back. I saw the malice on Caleb’s face before he could manage to hide it. Turns out, his personality had never changed. He was rotten to the core all along; I just hadn’t seen it. Good thing, everything was still in time. I gave him a twisted smile in return, my lips moving slightly as I silently mouthed a few words: “Rotten person! Utterly sickening!” 0
Caleb understood the words. His body stiffened, and he stared blankly at my retreating figure. No, this wasn’t right. It shouldn’t be like this. He had carefully gathered information; Quinn Hayes, the Hayes family’s eldest daughter, was supposed to be simple and innocent, definitely not this malicious. He had saved her. She should have developed feelings for him, not slapped him out of nowhere. No, no, something he overlooked must have happened. Caleb’s eyes were dark, and his face showed a look of absolute determination. 0
*Thump-thump-thump!* Dull thudding sounds echoed from a distance. Such a familiar scene, but this time, things wouldn’t go his way. I smiled at my friend, Chloe Green. “Chloe, you go back to class first. I just remembered I left something behind.” “Oh, okay then! Class is starting soon, make sure you’re quick!” Chloe was a sweet-looking good student with a gentle personality, and I definitely didn’t want her to see what was about to happen. I nodded. “Okay, I’ll try.” Once Chloe was out of sight, I walked towards where the sounds were coming from. A few students, looking like typical troublemakers, were gathered, punching and kicking someone. This behavior was truly appalling. But inside, I felt truly, truly exhilarated. If they accidentally went too far and killed him? Even better. An undisguised smile spread across my face. Suddenly, the person being beaten caught sight of me. He struggled to speak. “Quinn… Quinn Hayes, help… help me!” Hearing my name, the hoodlums stopped their actions. Their eyes darted between me and Caleb, as if trying to confirm whether Caleb knew me.
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