Chapter 2
In my previous life, I died on the brightest day of my existence.
That day, I took home my third Best Actress award. Draped in a custom–made gown, I stood beside my childhood sweetheart and fiancé, Trevor Everett, at our lavishly broadcast engagement party.
Then, before the entire world, he announced, “I could never marry someone who bullied her classmates all through high school.“\
I stared at him, stunned, unable to believe what I was hearing.
That’s when Julie stepped up from the audience.
With tears shimmering in her eyes, she managed a small, trembling smile.
“Corinna, do you remember me? I’m Julie–the girl you bullied for ten years.“%
“You probably never imagined we’d ever stand as equals like this.”
“But it’s okay. I don’t blame you anymore.“”
She gazed up at the glittering lights, her voice breaking as she finished, “Looking back now, it feels like I’ve crossed a thousand mountains just to get here.”
The livestream caught every second. Julie became an overnight sensation.\
Before I could even gather my thoughts, a swarm of reporters–arranged by my own brother and Trevor–rushed in and surrounded me.
“Ms. Gardner, is it true you’ve kept up your bullying habits on set, picking on newcomers?“}
Sources say you were recently spotted at the hospital’s women’s clinic. Is it because your reckless lifestyle caught up with you?”
Suddenly,
Suddenly, a deranged fan broke through the crowd and hurled a bottle of acid at my face. “Die, you bitch!“>
The liquid scorched my skin, searing agony blooming across my face.
My vision never cleared again after that.
Heaven to hell, all in a blink.
But now, in this new life, my fingers relaxed.
I looked down at Julie sprawled on the floor, gasping for breath.
That sweet, innocent face was smeared with dirt and tears.
I couldn’t help it–I burst out laughing.
“Go on, cry your heart out! Show the world this face of yours and tell everyone I bullied you. Do it–let’s see what happens!“}
My voice rose, slicing through the thick silence.
1
As I remembered the pain of acid melting my features in my past life, I ground my heel into her face twice more before turning to leave.
Outside the school building, my desk mate Lynda was waiting for me.”
“Gym class started ages ago. Where’ve you been?”
I shrugged. “Just teaching the new girl a lesson.”
She spun around, wide–eyed. “What?!”
I smirked. “As the saying goes, when the whole world thinks you’re a villain, you might as well play the part.”}
“Who even said that?”
‘Doesn’t matter.“2
We strolled toward the edge of the field, only to practically run into Trevor.”
We weren’t even in the same class, but everyone knew he was my boyfriend–the boy next door, my childhood friend.
Trevor’s gaze flickered over my face, then subtly shifted to the girl behind me.”
“Corinna, why are you so late? Oh, by the way, I heard your class got a transfer student?”
In my previous life, every time Julie slandered me, Trevor would always urge me to apologize and let things go. It seemed like he was on my side, but in reality, he always found a way to make my guilt stick.
Remembering this, I slapped him across the face without warning.
Lynda gasped in shock.
Trevor, though, barely reacted–his eyes flashed cold for a split second, but then he simply leaned in, feigning affection, and brushed my cheek with his own.
“What’s wrong, Corinna? Are you in a bad mood?”
It was only much later in my last life that I learned the truth.
When Trevor was little, his mother abandoned him at a theme park, and he spent some time in foster care. That’s where he met a cheerful little girl who shared her bed and slipped him a piece of candy–his only light in a bleak childhood.
That girl was Julie.
And on Julie’s very first day at our school, Trevor recognized her instantly
He believed every word Julie said about me, hated me to his core, but because of his illegitimate status, he had no choice but to endure me, to curry favor for the sake of securing his place in the family.
Now, remembering this, I looked him dead in the eye, “Let’s break up.”%
Trevor’s eyes widened, his pupils shrinking. Why? Give me a reason, Corinna.”
I pulled out a tissue and calmly wiped the spot on my cheek where he’d touched me.
