Chapter 1

Mom gave us two choices.

Go with her to the Sterling household. I could attend the same elite private high school as Miss Jade Sterling, but college funding would be limited.

Stay home for school. After graduating high school, I could apply to overseas universities.

My brother Mason jumped in first:

"Mom, I want to go with you to the Sterlings'."

Mom smiled with relief and turned to look at me.

"Older siblings should let the younger ones have their way. I'll fund your overseas education later---that's me doing my duty as a mother."

Looking at my brother clutching Mom's arm with that expectant expression, I knew---he had been reborn too.

Too bad Jade Sterling would never fall for him.

"Cameron, the employer's family is busy. Mason and I have to leave today. Take care of yourself at home."

After Mom finished packing, she left with Mason.

Nothing like the previous life when she stayed a full ten days trying to persuade Mason to go with her to the Sterlings'.

In my past life, after Mom presented those two choices, Mason had also jumped to choose first---except he'd chosen to study abroad.

After my parents divorced, I was awarded to Dad.

For ten whole years, Mom never came to see me once, yet I thought about her every single day.

It wasn't until Dad died and social services contacted her that I finally had a "mom" again.

When Mason chose overseas study, I was thrilled.

I could finally spend day and night with Mom.

But Mom wanted to take Mason instead. She stayed home for ten days, constantly trying to persuade Mason to go with her.

Mason stubbornly believed there were more opportunities abroad. Even when the employer's family urged Mom to return, he never changed his mind.

And so I went with Mom to the Sterling household, where I met Jade.

She had an aloof temperament and exceptional intelligence.

She was the object of admiration for many boys at school.

I couldn't help being drawn to her too.

But I knew we were from two different worlds. I could only keep those feelings hidden.

Until the night of the graduation dance, when Jade came back from the party slightly drunk and pulled me to a corner of the terrace.

"Cameron, come with me to the East Coast for college, okay?"

I forced myself to look away.

"I can't afford it."

Jade laughed, and the whole night seemed to brighten.

"I can help you."

In that moment, I finally knew---the person I'd quietly loved for three years felt the same way about me.

Overwhelming happiness crashed over me.

I excitedly told Mom that Miss Sterling was willing to sponsor my education abroad.

What I got in return was a hard slap across the face.

"Absolutely not! When you chose to come with me to the Sterlings', you already gave up that path. The money I've saved is for Mason."

I covered my face and tried to explain.

"Miss Sterling said I don't need to pay tuition. She'll help me."

Mom let out a contemptuous laugh and looked me up and down with disdain.

"You really don't know your place, do you? Trying to latch onto someone for money and opportunity? Think about who you are and who she is. People like her---it's just a passing fancy. When she gets bored, I'll be the one cleaning up the mess. Don't even think about going abroad. And if you dare disobey me, stop calling me Mom. Also, stay away from Miss Sterling. Don't affect my job."

Maybe because I'd lacked maternal love since childhood, what I feared most was being abandoned by Mom again.

I was devastated when I turned Jade down.

But Jade solemnly told me:

"Distance isn't a problem. I'll come back to see you often."

After she started college, we began a long-distance relationship.

She flew back to see me several times every month. The sweetness of love filled me with hope for the future.

When Mom found out we were actually together, she went behind my back and asked Jade to look after Mason while she was overseas, since he was there too.

Jade didn't understand my family's complicated situation. Out of kindness, she agreed to be friends with him.

Then in senior year, I received a message from Mason, along with a photo.

In the photo, Mason was shirtless with his arm around an obviously drunk Jade. The background was a hotel room.

[Bro, I'm the one Jade needs. Stop clinging to her.]

After three years with Jade, I knew her character well. My first thought was that she might have been set up.

Furious, I called Mason to demand an explanation.

But I didn't notice the delivery truck rushing at me from the side.

After my soul left my body, I heard the conversation between Mom and Mason.

"Your brother's death came at just the right time. Seize the opportunity and win Jade's heart. You won't have to worry about anything after that."

Mason laughed smugly.

"You had the foresight, Mom, getting Jade to agree to 'look after' me. That's how I got the chance to take that photo when she got drunk at her celebration dinner. I only meant to make Cameron back off on his own. I didn't expect him to actually have an accident---heaven really helped me out. After Jade's emotions settle down in a while, I'll comfort her more. There'll be opportunities."

I'd always thought that even if Mom was biased, she at least had some maternal feelings for me.

I never imagined she wouldn't even grieve my death.

My heart turned to ash as I drifted to find Jade.

But I discovered that Jade had killed herself in her apartment, clutching my photo.

Only then did I realize---Jade's feelings for me ran deep enough to transcend life and death.

Hatred consumed me. I used my last bit of strength to trip Mason as he went downstairs.

Watching him tumble down the stairs to his death, my soul finally dispersed completely.

I never expected to return to that day when we chose our fates.

Except this time, Mason chose to go to the Sterlings'.

He thought that by going to the Sterlings', he'd have the advantage of proximity.

Too bad he was wrong.

Jade would never fall for him.

And I would make them pay for what they did in my past life.