Chapter 1

I purposely ended up in the hospital, successfully getting Liam to stay by my side all night.

That made him miss out on Maya, the school’s undisputed queen.

When he found out the truth, he hated me for ten years.

During my incredibly dangerous childbirth, he immediately chose for the doctors to save the baby.

He said, "This is what you owe me."

Reborn, seeing Liam again, I just smiled.

"Congratulations to you both. I wish you a long and happy life together."

Just before college graduation, Liam and Maya officially became a couple.

At the farewell party, the entire class gathered around a long table, cheering them on.

"A toast to the happy couple!"

Liam’s ears burned a deep crimson, looking like they might actually bleed.

He silently raised his glass, gazing at Maya with a fond smile.

Seeing him like that, I couldn't help but remember us back in high school.

It was during the school track meet, he’d signed up for the sprint, and, as expected, he took first place.

I stood at the finish line, ready to hand him a towel, and even then, his ears were just as red as they are now.

"Liam is crazy for Maya, giving up his chance to study abroad just for her."

Sarah's voice cut through the chorus of congratulations, sounding a little jarring. She turned to me.

"You two grew up together, why didn't you try to talk him out of it?"

I couldn't help but laugh. Who said I didn't try?

I remembered the last life, on this exact day, Liam had stood before me, his face twisted with hatred.

"Chloe, explain yourself."

On his phone, a recording played—Maya had sent it to him.

In the recording, I admitted that I’d deliberately fallen down the stairs to prevent Liam from meeting her.

She’d also sent him a photo. In it, Liam was sleeping soundly beside my hospital bed.

Liam’s face was a mask of fury I had never seen before.

Not even when he’d missed out on being top of our grade in a monthly exam had he looked like that.

"There's nothing to explain," I said, my voice flat. "It's exactly as you know it to be."

I knew explanations were useless.

He'd only believe what he wanted to believe. Anything I said now would be pointless.

He would never believe there was a first half to that recording.

In that unseen part, Maya's voice, sweet and venomous, had said:

"I heard you two grew up together. I just found it amusing, wanted to see how strong your bond really was."

"If you had just waited patiently, someday, when I got bored, maybe I would have just tossed him aside."

"But it looks like you couldn't wait. No worries, I don't want him now, but I won't let you have him either."

If he had actually heard that, he would have only said one thing.

"Chloe, you're absolutely insane."

Now, I sat in the corner, silently watching them finish their drinks.

Suddenly, someone who loved to stir the pot and watch the drama unfold shouted,

"Liam, where's your childhood best friend, Chloe?"

I picked up my glass and walked from the corner towards them, a brilliant smile on my face, genuinely saying,

"Congratulations to you both. I wish you eternal happiness."