Chapter13
“Mom, didn’t you remember I’m allergic to sugar coke?” I asked, looking straight at my mom.
She hesitated. “I’m sorry. I… Grace, but Ashley is your sister.”
I was confused. “What about my room?”
My mom pursed her lips, trying to make up an excuse. “The study is ready. I will clean up the storage room and you can stay there for the time being.”
My heart sank. “Why did you have to take my room then?” I muttered, trying to shrug off the frustration. “Never mind. I barely made it into the advanced class as it is. I’m no teacher. Sorry, but the class is calling.”
With that, I shook off her hand and bolted out of the school
cafeteria.
In my previous life, I tried to impress them with my grades. When I brought home a perfect score, my mom just said, “I know your grades. Are you proud of a one–time thing?”
Ashley scored an 85 and it was like she won the lottery. They even took her to Happy Valley for a blast.
My mom told me, “Grace, you’re afraid of heights. You shouldn’t go with us. Maybe next time we can go to the zoo.”
Later, I, who was scared of heights, climbed to the 49th floor and ended it all.
10 58
After that, my mom never came to school for me again.
Ashley’s crush, Liam Farley, also ended up in the advanced class and became my deskmate.
One day in the cafeteria, when Liam and I were eating, Ashley saw us. I could see jealousy in her eyes.
I didn’t feel happy about it. I just felt annoyed and left without finishing my meal.
Time flew, and before I knew it, the SAT was over.
Instead of going home, I worked with Liam at his brother’s gaming studio during the summer.
The day the SAT results came out, the whole studio erupted in cheers for me. In my previous life, I slacked off big time on my homework.
In this life, I studied hard and got into Nydoalind University and Liam got into Northwave University. My parents rang me up, eager to have me back home.
Relatives went wild with congrats over my good news. Mom and Dad were insistent, saying I had to come home for the
celebration. After a pause that felt like forever, I finally agreed.
I checked the date on my phone after I hung up.
A chill ran down my neck, giving me the shivers. I held onto my phone for dear life, my jaw clenched. Something happened on the same day in my previous life.
On the phone, Ashley cried, promising to give my parents back if I saved her.
22 85%
10 50
Chapter13
I was desperate for my folks‘ love, and her promise was tempting.
1288 Vouchers
I agreed, but what awaited me were some thugs from school.
They bound my hands, ripped my clothes off, and recorded it all. The ordeal lasted an eternity, or so it felt. I was left feeling like I’d been run over by a fleet of trucks, completely wrecked.
They told me their real target was Ashley, and I was just a decoy.
At the hospital, I told my parents what happened. My dad slapped me, saying I went there on my own, that I was asking for it, hanging with the wrong people, and trying to take Ashley down with me.
They never came to the hospital again, acting like I didn’t exist.
When Ashley started university, I saw a photo of her happy family on Instagram and jumped off the rooftop, filled with
resentment.
I wanted to see my parents‘ regret, but I was let down again.
They didn’t even collect my ashes.
At that moment, Ashley called.
Without hesitation, I hung up and turned off my phone.
I wondered what would happen to Ashley without me saving.
her.
At night, my mom couldn’t reach Ashley, and my brother was going to look for her.
Chapter 13
288 Moucher
At dinner, my uncle said, “She didn’t do well on her exams, so she’s too embarrassed to dine with us, right? But Grace is really something. She’s the first in our family to get into Nydoalind University.”
My dad brought out his home–brewed wine and looked around. Not spotting Ashley, he asked, “Is Ashley still not back?”
My uncle continued, “You guys don’t appreciate your own daughter. You’ve barely talked to Grace since she’s been home, always thinking about the adopted one.”
My mom avoided my gaze. My dad was in a sour mood, especially with the jab at his adopted daughter. My brother put on his jacket. “I’ll go to find Ashley.”
But before he left, my dad got a call from the hospital about Ashley’s accident.
The pain I suffered in my last life had finally come to her.
She was in the hospital with a swollen and bruised face.
The doctor said she was badly injured. She might never have kids.
My mother was a wreck, leaning on my brother, and my dad looked like he had aged years overnight.
In my previous life, when they looked at me, I could see how much they loathed me. I was dirt to them, and they thought I’d tarnished the Parrish family.
In this life, the tables turned. They’d give anything to be the ones in Ashley’s place. My mom got Ashley in a tight hug,
70 64%
288 Vouchers
feeling the guilt eat away at her.
Ashley cried in her arms, “I called Grace for help, but she didn’t answer. Did I do something wrong? Does she want me to die?”
Chapter14
