Closing the Door on a Painful Past

Nicholas announced to the entire city that Kim was his true love.

The blow was so devastating that my mother and I both ended up hospitalized. Meanwhile, Nicholas and Kim reaped all the rewards—fame, admiration and a perfect reputation.

Snapping back to the present, I fixed Nicholas with a glare full of loathing and disdain.

“Why are you still standing here? I told you to get lost. Don’t you understand plain English?”

Nicholas looked taken aback by my harsh tone, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before it was replaced with impatience.

“What’s wrong with you? You were fine this morning,” he snapped. “What did I do? Why are you so angry?”

For a moment, his confusion seemed genuine, but then it shifted into irritation. “Is this about that? For heaven’s sake, haven’t I already explained? I only gave Kim a ride because I saw her limping. That’s it.”

His impatience was written all over his face as he added, “Can’t you tone down your temper a little?”

Before I could respond, Kim seized the opportunity to chime in, her voice laced with false innocence and sarcasm.

“Is that why you’re mad and tore it up, Sis?” she asked, her tone sugary sweet but her words cutting. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known you’d be so upset about Nic giving me a ride, I wouldn’t have accepted it. Even with my sprained ankle, I’d have crawled to school instead.” Her words hit their mark. The classroom erupted into murmurs, the noise growing louder as everyone seemed to turn against me. I could hear their murmur of accusations

“She’s so heartless.” 

“Right? It’s her own sister.”

“How could she be so petty?”

Not wanting to let these insignificant comments mess with my head, I stormed out, letting the door slam shut behind me. Perhaps that was the beginning of their relationship. But I didn’t care enough to dig into the details. It no longer mattered to me. I walked briskly down the hallway toward the principal’s office.

When I opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of a middle-aged man seated at his desk.

“Mr. Hanson, I’ve made up my mind,” I announced without any preamble. “I’ll sign the confidentiality agreement for the research test.”

Whittendale had always been Nicholas and Zach’s childhood dream, not mine. My true passion lay in research—making real contributions to the field, something meaningful.

I knew Mr. Hanson admired my dedication and intelligence. That was why he sought out this opportunity for me, an avenue where I could channel my talents and interests.

When he heard that I was giving up a spot at Whittendale to join the research program he had recommended, his face lit up with joy. I could even see tears welling up in his eyes.

“That’s wonderful,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “You truly are the most brilliant student this school has ever had—a shining star. I’ll prepare the paperwork immediately.”

After signing the documents, I started heading back to class. But on my way, I was intercepted by Zach Davidson, my other childhood best friend.

With a wide grin on his face, he strode toward me.

“Nic finally confessed to you, didn’t he?” he said, raising his hand for a high-five.

Without bothering to let him get any closer, I sidestepped his path and walked away.

He stood there, frozen in place, his expression a mix of confusion and awkwardness. His raised hand hung in midair, unacknowledged.

In my past life, I married him, thinking he was my salvation. Instead, it turned out to be an even bigger joke.

As the core of our childhood trio, Zach had always been kind and attentive to me. I used to think of him as my closest confidant, even my hero—the boy who jumped into the river to save me when I fell in at the age of five, risking his life to pull me out.

But who could have imagined that Zach, the same boy who once saved my life, would later betray me so cruelly for Kim’s sake?

In my previous life, not only did he abandon me, but after my death, he couldn’t wait to use his status as my husband to sign the organ donation papers. He authorized the surgical removal of every usable organ in my body, all for Kim’s benefit, ensuring they were stored in a cold vault as her backups.

“Andy, are you mad? Did I say something wrong?” Zach caught up to me, his voice tinged with feigned concern.

He was undeniably handsome, with a great acting to match. If I hadn’t experienced everything firsthand, I might have fallen for his façade all over again.

“Yeah, I am mad. I don’t want anything to do with you, Zach. From now on, don’t talk me. We’re not friends anymore.”

I delivered the words coldly, then quickened my pace, leaving him behind.

Although I had signed the confidentiality agreement, I still had to attend my remaining classes.

I was determined to show Kim that even without a guaranteed recommendation, her college entrance exam scores would never surpass mine.

Her mother may have forced her way into my family, bullying my mom and driving her away, but I wasn’t someone to be trifled with. For my mom’s sake, I had to stand my ground and win.

As for Nicholas and Zach, if Kim wanted them, she could have them. They were not worth fighting for.

When I arrived at the classroom door, I saw a large group of students gathered around Kim’s seat, chattering animatedly.

Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they gossiped, speculating about what had happened between Nicholas and me.