Aaron shot me a look. "I won't regret choosing her."
He headed for the door and left with Rebecca.
I finally broke my silence. "You're going to let him apply to a third-rate college, ma'am?"
Madison patted my shoulder with a sympathetic smile. "We all know you've got your eyes on Aaron, dear. You'd want to go to the same college he does, no matter what that is, wouldn't you?"
She paused, then continued, "But you can't force a horse to drink. It's a shame he's given up so much of his potential and his choices for Rebecca, but you don't have to do the same. You deserve better."
I was a little stunned. Then I shook my head and let out a soft chuckle.
"Thanks for your concern, Ms. Warner, but I'm not that kind of girl. I won't sacrifice my future for anyone or follow someone around like a shadow," I replied firmly.
Madison looked pleasantly surprised. "Good girl! Just what I expect from the best in class!"
I nodded in appreciation and tucked the form into my folder.
…
In my last life, Aaron and I had both decided to apply to Iale University. At the time, both of our parents declared that we were suitable for an engagement. I did not refuse, and I believed he would agree.
But it turned out that Rebecca had always been the apple of his eye. He had only been forced into the engagement because his parents wanted him with someone of equal standing.
Later, Rebecca gained admission to Iale through her international art exhibitions. By then, however, it was too late for the two lovebirds.
Aaron resented me for it. He held that grudge for ten years. When the opportunity finally came, he forced me to take the fall for Rebecca's crime, and I was sentenced to prison.
Now that I had been given a second chance at life, I knew better than to involve myself in that doomed relationship again.
…
As I passed a tree near the corridor leading out of the office, I overheard Rebecca talking with her best friend, Kai.
"Damn, queen! You've worked your parents so well that you're their favorite now, and you've got Aaron head over heels for you!"
Rebecca sneered, "You make it sound impressive. Who am I compared to that straight-A dweeb? I just wish the nanny hadn't been such a wimp. She should have done more than bring me back to my parents' home instead of her. She should have sold her off to some foreign couple in another country.
"That would have saved me from being displaced. My family would never have found her, and I'd still be the heiress!"
I froze. My blood ran cold.
"So the incident in which I was taken in by another family had not been an accident. It had been a conspiracy," I muttered.
I remembered how miserable life had been with my false parents. My adoptive mother would beat me with a belt when she got drunk. My stepfather would look at me with those unsettling eyes. I remembered the humiliation of not being able to pay my school fees.
I had not deserved any of that. I had been forced to endure it because Rebecca's mother had devised a plan for her own benefit.
If I had not studied hard, earned my way into one of the nation's most elite high schools, and eventually found my real parents, I would have rotted in that hell for the rest of my life.
Righteous fury and raw grief surged through me. I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.
I was about to step forward and confront Rebecca when someone grabbed my shoulder and stopped me.
Aaron had appeared without my noticing. He glared at me with open disgust. "Can't you ever leave Becky alone?"
"Did you hear what she said?" I shot back.
He looked off into the distance.
"Hear what? That we're finally together? What, are you mad? Jealous?" His voice dropped. "She's a good person, Bernadette. If you're going to throw a tantrum over what I said in the office, take it out on me. Don't even think about targeting her."
Good? Good?!
I let out a sharp, scornful laugh and met his gaze. "Are you blind or deaf, Aaron?"
His expression darkened. "You think you can look down on others just because you score a few points on exams?"
He scoffed. "We'll see about that. Three days from now, you'll find out who really deserves a place at Iale."
He studied me for a moment, noticed the redness in my eyes, and softened his tone slightly. "Look, if you still can't let go of us after everything, I can make some… concessions. I can set aside a day each week to spend time with you, after I talk it over with Becky."
