The Second Life That Saved Me But My Parent Were Arrested

A hundred days before the college entrance exam, my mother would stay up late with me every single night, keeping me company while I studied.

But on the day of the exam, she went insane.

She stood at the door, blocking my way, refusing to let me leave the house.

And just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, my father—who had never shown the slightest interest in me or my life—suddenly stepped in.

He shoved my mother aside and urged me to go.

I stood frozen, overwhelmed by the chaos, as they started yelling at each other.

“Sweetheart, trust me,” my mother pleaded, her eyes wide and desperate. “I’ve been reborn. The road to the exam site will collapse. Going there is suicide!”

“No, honey, listen to your father,” he said, glaring at her. “She’s lying. She just doesn’t want you to outshine her illegitimate child.”

My mother’s face turned crimson as she pointed a trembling finger at him.

“You bastard! You know the road will collapse! You’re trying to kill our daughter!”

My father snapped, “Stop twisting the truth! In our past life, you were the one who stopped her from taking the exam. And she died in misery because of it!”

I didn’t step in to stop them like I used to.

I just laughed coldly, turned around, and slammed the door shut behind me.

They didn’t know the truth.

I had been reborn too.

——

The moment I opened the door that morning, and they both started saying the exact same things they had in my past life—I knew it.

It was real.

I had come back.

Leaning against the door, my chest rose and fell rapidly. My heart was in turmoil, memories of pain and betrayal crashing down on me.

It wasn’t until I heard my mother’s triumphant laughter from the other side of the door that I snapped back to the present.

“See? My daughter still listens to me,” she said smugly.

My father didn’t reply, but I knew one thing for certain.

I couldn’t stay here any longer.

I quickly stuffed a few essentials into my backpack and swung the door open.

My mother’s victorious smile froze on her face.

“Where are you going with your backpack?” she asked, startled.

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I looked calmly at my father.

“When you’re done arguing,” I said flatly, “take me to the station. If we’re late, I’ll miss the bus.”

My father, still holding a cigarette between his fingers, paused for a moment. Then he flicked it aside and walked over to me.

As he passed my mother, he raised his eyebrows smugly, clearly enjoying the moment.

I acted like I didn’t see it and followed him out the door.

My mother reached out, trying to stop me one last time.

“Think carefully, my daughter,” she warned. “Going with your father might cost you your life.”

I glanced back at her, emotionless, and shook off her hand.

“I’ve studied for this day for nine years. Even if knives fall from the sky, I’m going.”

She opened her mouth again but said nothing.

She only sighed as I walked away.

Unlike her, my father was thrilled to be the one sending me off.

He pedaled the old bicycle with energy, as if he’d been waiting for this day his whole life.

At the station, he gave me a rare piece of advice.

“Camila, study hard, okay? Don’t let your mother or me down.”

I suppressed a bitter smile, nodded, and boarded the bus.

The driver was standing at the front, counting passengers.

I didn’t need to count.

There were 19 of us—every one of us a girl.

In our village, boys and girls take the college entrance exam at different locations.

I didn’t know if it’s like that elsewhere, but my mother always said it’s how it’s done here.

I glanced out the window, my heart pounding as we neared the road my mother had warned me about.

Suddenly, I stood up and rushed to the driver.

“Excuse me, Sir,” I said anxiously, “can we take another route? My mother said this road will collapse today.”

The driver paused and frowned.

“Nonsense,” he said gruffly. “We’ve been using this road for decades. It’s never collapsed once.”

I bit my lip, hands clenched into fists, a flicker of unease growing in my chest.