Chapter 3

Sophie's POV

The next morning, my phone started buzzing.

Lily had posted a photo on Instagram.

She sat between Ethan and Ryan in a white dress. Ethan was holding her drink, while Ryan posed beside her.

The caption read:

Some people would rather lose us than see us happy.

The comments poured in.

"Aren't the four of you childhood friends?"

"Whoever left must be seriously bitter."

Lily sent me screenshots along with a private message.

"See? They're both on my side."

I didn't respond.

She sent a voice message next.

"Sophie, if you apologize now, we can still be friends. Westlake's tuition and living expenses aren't cheap. Your family can cover them, right? You used to give me a thousand dollars a month. From now on, I need at least two thousand."

I saved the recording and sent it to my father.

The lawyer replied, "Keep documenting everything. Every message she sends proves she knows exactly what she's doing."

A few days later, the community website posted an announcement.

The annual ceremony for students accepted into top universities would be held that Saturday. The community foundation would also award each student ten thousand dollars.

All the acceptance letters were kept at the community office and handed out during the ceremony.

The announcement set off an argument in the neighborhood group.

Ethan's mother sent a voice message first.

"Thank you, everyone. Ethan has worked hard since he was little. I'm sure he'll keep doing well in college."

Less than a minute later, Ryan's mother replied.

"You mean your son? Ryan scored higher on the SAT. He's obviously the one who got into the better school."

The two women argued for hours.

I watched the messages fill the screen and remembered them standing in front of my parents in my last life, calling me worthless and saying I never should have been born.

This time, they were about to learn who had ruined their sons' futures.

On Saturday morning, my parents and I arrived at the community center early.

A huge banner hung above the stage:

Congratulations, Class of 2026.

Ethan, Ryan, and Lily were there too.

Lily walked straight toward me.

"Sophie, have you thought it over?"

"Thought about what?"

"Apologizing to us." She lowered her voice. "If you admit what you did, I won't press charges over the application."

I looked at her. "What exactly did I do?"

Her smile faltered.

Ethan stepped forward. "Don't think getting into Yale makes you better than everyone else. Lily is willing to forgive you. That's more than you deserve."

"I don't need her forgiveness."

Ryan's mother approached us. "Sophie, you've always been smart. Why are you acting so cruel now? Lily already has enough to deal with."

My father stepped between us. "Stay away from my daughter."

Lily's eyes filled with tears. "I only wanted to make peace with her."

The host walked onto the stage, and the room gradually quieted.

"Welcome to this year's community college celebration. First, congratulations to Sophie Bennett, accepted to Yale University!"

The crowd applauded.

I walked onto the stage and accepted my letter and the foundation's check.

Every camera turned toward me.

Ethan's mother suddenly rushed to the edge of the stage.

"Wait! My son got into a top university too!"

Ryan's mother pushed forward.

"So did mine! Ryan had the highest score!"

They crowded around the host, competing to explain why their sons deserved the credit.

"Ethan has studied piano and debate since elementary school. Top schools were fighting over him."

"Ryan's grades were better, and he got more scholarship money."

The host tried to restore order, but the two mothers were already accusing each other.

"Your son just got lucky!"

"You're the one stealing credit!"

Ethan and Ryan stood below the stage, their faces growing darker by the second.

Then the back doors opened.

A community employee hurried in carrying two thick envelopes.

"Sorry I'm late. There was a problem on the way." He raised the envelopes. "Ethan Carter and Ryan Brooks, your acceptance letters have arrived!"

Both mothers turned and rushed toward him.

Ethan's mother snatched one envelope while Ryan's mother grabbed the other. They nearly tore them open in the struggle.