Chapter 10
The whole incident had stirred up quite a storm online.
A feud between a rich girl and a girl from a struggling family–it was the kind of drama people couldn’t get enough of, whether it happened ten years ago or today. But this time, things were different.
Because I’d stood on stage, every word of my speech ringing out clear and strong.
Because of the way I looked–disheveled, bloodied, and furious.
Because of that wild, desperate performance of “Symphony of Fate.“&
For once, a surprising number of people were actually on my side.
“Come on, it’s not like the rich girl’s always the bully, is it? The way she played the piano, she didn’t seem that type at all.“8
“Hah, are you her PR team or something? Since when can you judge someone’s character by how they play piano?“8
“Seriously though, look at her–her ankle’s swollen up like a loaf of bread, blood all over her clothes. Who bullies someone else and ends up looking like that?”
“Forget the details, this girl’s mental resilience is next–level. She’s ahead of her time, honestly…”
And then, Lynda and a couple of the girls who’d danced with me at the showcase jumped into the online fray:
“Corinna’s nothing like what you’re saying!”
“It was Julie who started everything–she was the one picking the fight!“S
The debate online was absolutely relentless.
The d
I spent those days in the hospital, completely out of the loop about what Daniel told my father.
But when I was finally discharged and came home, Dad looked at me with a gaze so cold it could freeze water.
“Leave you to your own devices for a bit and you turn the whole world upside down.“>
“If your school won’t take you back, fine–go study abroad.
“Lie low for a few years. Once the scandal dies down, you can come home.”
His reaction didn’t surprise me at all.
Between Daniel and me, I’d always known where Dad’s loyalties lay.
Back in my last life, even when the engagement party debacle happened, Dad was still alive.
No way could Daniel stir up so much trouble without Dad noticing.
But even when I died, Dad had never told me a thing.
It didn’t matter anymore.
I pulled a tight smile. “Alright.”
“You’ve always wanted to study drama. I can help you apply to an arts college…“>>
“No.“2
I cut hirn off. “I want to study finance. Business school.”
Both men stared at me in shock.&
When Dad looked at me again, there was something new in his eyes–something deeper.
The application process happened fast.
Trevor’s injuries were far worse than mine. Even after I’d recovered, he was still stuck in the hospital.
“I heard Julie came to visit him, Lynda told me one afternoon, bursting in with a huge bouquet of lilies. “She told him it wasn’t his fault–that you were just being heartless.”
She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. “Honestly, those two are a match made in crazy–town. They wanted to break your leg, but somehow you’re the villain?”
I glanced down at the flowers in her arms. “These must’ve cost a fortune. You should’ve kept your prize money for yourselves.”
“It’s fine,” she shrugged, pushing the bouquet into my hands. “Everyone knows you’re leaving soon. We all chipped in so I could bring these to you.”
She took a deep breath, like she was psyching herself up for something.
“Corinna.”
“Yeah?
“I just… I feel like you know things the rest of us don’t. Ever since Julie transferred here, it’s like something changed, and I can’t put my finger on it. If this sounds crazy, just ignore me, okay?”
She set the flowers aside and gave me a gentle, careful hug.
“Come back as soon as you can. When you’re back, we’ll still be friends.”
The night before I left, I sat out on the balcony with Mom, the breeze gentle and cool.
She looked at me, clearly wanting to say something.
took her hand, meeting her gaze. “Mom, you don’t have to worry about me.”
In my previous life, she died in a car accident.
While she was alive, no matter how much Dad favored Daniel, he’d never dared to hurt me so blatantly.
As I remembered a chill ran through me
By the end, Daniel’s obsession with Julie had crossed every line.
Could my mom’s sudden accident have been more than it seemed?
The thought made my heart seize, and I unconsciously squeezed her hand tighter.
“Promise me you’ll be careful. Take care of yourself, no matter what.”
I hesitated, but still spoke.
