Chapter 2

When I woke up again, I was home. I still don't know who saved me.

I heard Julian's family had already handled the situation.

After the annual celebration, he personally walked Serena home.

He also publicly announced to everyone, "Serena saved my life. The Hayes family must repay this debt of gratitude. Let the engagement be arranged."

Even though I'd resolved to completely let go of Julian in this life, hearing those words still stung.

He believed Serena had saved his life.

But if I had been the one, he would've just accused me of being manipulative and having hidden agendas.

Last time, it was only because the story of me saving him went viral online that Julian reluctantly agreed to our engagement.

I went downstairs, only to find Serena and Julian at my house.

When she saw me, Serena put on a troubled expression. "Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Julian is the one Aubrey likes. I can't agree to the engagement—it would break my best friend's heart."

My parents didn't even get a chance to speak.

Julian stepped in front of me, blocking my path with his tall frame.

"Since you heard everything, I'll be straightforward."

"Aubrey, I don't like you. No matter how hard you try, it won't change anything. We should both accept that."

I replied softly, "Okay, don't worry about it."

"I won't bother you and Serena anymore. I wish you both the best."

Julian narrowed his eyes, studying me intensely.

From behind, I heard my mom's relieved voice: "It's good you've come to terms with this. Now focus on your future."

I tried to ignore Julian's questioning stare, smiling and nodding. "I will."

After the engagement was announced, Julian started showing up around my house frequently, since Serena often came to visit me.

Before, seeing him was practically impossible. I had to ask his friends for his whereabouts, and I couldn't even get mad when they made fun of me for being a pathetic tag-along.

Now, with college application season wrapping up, I've seen him more in the last two weeks than I did all of last year.

But it didn't make me happy at all.

Serena, pretending to be kind while actually showing off, would say to me, "Aubrey, Julian got me this SAT prep book. Want to take a look?"

"Julian also had someone get me these insider materials from an Ivy League summer program. Do you want to borrow them to copy? He found so many for me."

Yet in my past life, even our engagement ceremony had to be pushed by my parents.

Just as I was spacing out, Serena accidentally knocked over an ink bottle, staining the limited-edition autographed jersey Julian had just given her.

"Julian!" She cried out, rushing to him, then glancing at me. "Aubrey must have done it by accident. Please don't blame her. It's my fault for not putting away your gift properly..."

Julian's expression darkened.

"Aubrey, you act so reasonable and understanding in front of your parents, but privately you're still targeting Serena?"

"You've been picking on Serena since we were kids. Haven't you had enough by now?"

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

I said, slowly and clearly, "I didn't."

Serena immediately hung her head. "Julian, it's all my fault, completely my fault. I'm so clumsy."

Julian stepped in front of her, his tone clearly warning me off.

"I couldn't say much about your past behavior, but now Serena is my fiancée."

"I'll be around a lot during this time, until your parents feel reassured."

In my old life, I would've been thrilled to have more interactions with him.

Seeing me stay quiet, Julian paused, then warned, "Watch yourself. Keep your distance so Serena doesn't get the wrong idea."

That evening, Serena batted her eyes and asked Julian to help with homework, then deliberately sent me Snapchat photos of them together.

I didn't react much.

The next day, as I rushed out clutching my textbooks, Julian blocked my path.

"Trying to get my attention with this act?"