Chapter 2

"Ashley, your friend is here."

It was Mom's voice.

I shot up from my desk, my hands flying to my mouth and stomach.

No blood, no pain.

Mom was knocking on my bedroom door, reminding me.

I was wearing my old high school uniform.

Yet, the painful memories lingered in my mind, refusing to dissipate.

I stood there, stunned, for a long time, trying to make sense of my situation.

I had been reborn.

In the living room, Serena and Julian sat somewhat awkwardly on our couch.

Without a doubt, today was the day Serena would bring Julian to my house for tutoring.

It was also the origin of all the suffering in my previous life.

Seeing me emerge, Serena practically leaped to her feet.

She asked,

"Ashley, Julian's academic foundation isn't very strong. Can he join us during our tutoring sessions?"

Julian watched me cautiously from the side, his brows slightly furrowed, as if the request embarrassed him.

Serena gently patted his hand, signaling him to relax.

I took in all these small gestures.

Facing their hopeful gaze, I shook my head gently.

"No."

In my previous life, that's what happened: I refused Serena, and she started to hate me.

Julian had transferred to our school in his senior year.

He seemed clean-cut and refined. The first time he was introduced to the class, Serena’s eyes were drawn to him.

Julian's family wasn't well-off either; he only had a disabled father.

Perhaps it was a mutual affinity between two struggling souls, but Serena and Julian quickly became close.

Julian, often struggling with his studies, would bring test papers covered in red marks and timidly sit next to Serena, asking,

"Serena, could I ask you a question?"

Serena would always take his papers and patiently explain the solutions, completely devoid of the impatience she showed when tutoring me.

Once, Julian was upset because he placed last in physics.

Serena pushed Julian's deskmate aside, quietly sitting by him, tirelessly comforting him.

By evening study hall, a thick packet of compiled basic knowledge points appeared on Julian's desk.

Classmates often said Serena and Julian were a perfect match, making my presence seem out of place.

But my refusal had nothing to do with that.

It was because three days before Serena brought Julian to my house, I accidentally overheard Julian talking to his friend in the restroom.

"Julian, Serena seems really into you. Are you two dating?"

Julian scoffed, his tone mocking.

"Look how poor she is. Do I look like I'm tired of living a good life? She's just a tool to help me with my studies."

"Nice, Julian. Ashley has to pay Serena to tutor him."

"Tsk, with Ashley's brain, he won't learn a damn thing. Just wait, I'll completely steal Serena away from him."

Hearing those words, I trembled with anger in the restroom stall.

At the time, Serena was so devoted to Julian every day, and it was senior year. I was afraid of upsetting her, so I never told her.

I just subtly suggested that Serena keep her distance from Julian.

That's why when Serena asked if Julian could join our study sessions at my house, I immediately said no.

Julian felt humiliated, ran out of my house, and didn't see the traffic light intersection, resulting in one of his legs being crippled.

Serena, her eyes red with fury, blamed me, secretly weaving a web of deceit around me.

Everything I did had turned into self-serving martyrdom, costing me my entire youth and even my life.

Now, I understood a crucial truth: let go of the urge to help, and respect others' destinies.