Rebirth: Giving Them My Blessings

I get picked up by the cops in the middle of the night for street vending. While questioning me, they pull up my file.

One officer eyes me suspiciously through my mask and asks, "What's a Clairefield University graduate like you doing selling stuff on the street at midnight?"

I freeze and lean over to look at the file. The ID number matches mine, but the photo has been replaced with one of Madison Bass.

That's when it hits me—20 years ago, I was the one who got accepted to Clairefield University!

Dazed and numb, I stumble home only to hear my husband, Joseph Gunther, speaking on the phone. "Madison, don't worry. I won't let Lucy interfere with your life. Just go abroad in peace."

It's him! Joseph helped Madison steal my identity and my future.

My stomach twists. I turn to confront him, to expose the truth. But before I can, he strangles me to death with a belt.

"I'm sorry, Lucy. You can't ruin Madison's future…"

When I open my eyes again, I'm back in the classroom. Our homeroom teacher is handing out university application forms.

This time, I'm taking my life back.

"Lucy, have you decided which university you want to apply to?"

I was brought back to the present when I heard my deskmate Olivia Peterson's voice. I had been drowning in the sensation of being suffocated just a second ago. When I looked at Olivia's young and unfamiliar face, I realized that I had been given another chance at life.

"Lucy, what's wrong?"

Joy washed over me as I shook my head vigorously.

Frank Gunther, our homeroom teacher, said, "Fill in your university application forms, please, so I can get an idea of which universities you want to apply to."

I stared at Frank, recalling how he was Joseph Gunther's father. Our academic results were released a long time ago. The truth was that we didn't need to fill in the physical application forms; we could have just filled in the electronic version of it at home on our computers. But Frank had made up an excuse to have all the students drop by the school.

From the looks of it, he had done so to pick the best candidate to exchange places with Madison Bass.

I curled my hand into a tight fist when I recalled my past life. Joseph had started pursuing me around this time.

I stared at the application form before carelessly filling in the empty spaces. I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but I could feel Frank's eyes on me. As expected, Frank called out to me after everyone had submitted their forms. "Lucy, please follow me to the teacher's office."

He picked up the stack of forms and left the classroom.

Olivia tugged on my arm and said, "Your results were amazing. You'll definitely be able to get into Clairefield University."

With a score of 702, I had ranked highest in my class, yet my application to Clairefield University was still rejected in my past life. I had sought out Frank multiple times after that, but he had only told me that I had aimed too high, that my ambitions were out of reach of my capabilities.

However, Frank had also been the one to suggest that I apply for a law major.

I glanced at Joseph, who was sleeping in the corner of the classroom, before nodding at Olivia. I wasn't going to make the same mistakes in this life.

I pushed the door open to the teacher's office, notifying Frank of my presence. He asked, "Lucy, why did you choose these schools when you scored so well during the exams?"

I had chosen several community colleges as my dream schools.

"Their graduates have high employment rates," I answered, emphasizing each word.

Frank fell silent for a moment before he spoke again. "You shouldn't make such careless decisions. You should study law."

He turned on his computer as he spoke, navigating to the university application form page. My eyes were filled with condescension as I stared at the page. Was he going to force me to complete the form since I was being uncooperative? He was going to replace my name with Madison's, wasn't he?

"There's no need, Mr. Gunther. I like operating tractors."

I turned on my heel and left after saying my piece, running into Joseph, who had just entered the teacher's office. He said, "Lucy, if you're unsure about anything on the university application form, feel free to ask me. I've always wanted to study law."

My heart prickled upon hearing his words. So that was what Frank and Joseph were planning. They were trying to coerce me into applying to be a law major. However, I refused to let them get their way this time around.

I nodded. "Thanks, but no thanks. I've already decided on my major."

Joseph's eyes drooped as he smiled at me. "Alright then."

I made a swift exit from the office. When I saw Joseph shut the door behind him, I doubled back and stood outside to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Dad, if Lucy refuses to cooperate, can't we just pick someone else?"

My heart hammered in my chest when I heard Joseph's words. I couldn't believe that he wanted to victimize another student!

Frank's tone was icy as he said, "Lucy has the best results, so she's our best shot. I'm sure you're aware that our family owes Madison a debt."

I turned around and left. My heart was filled with disdain. They owed Madison, yet they wanted to use my life to clear their debt? I couldn't believe it.