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“Claire,what did Ethan put in there?Show me.”
“Nothing.”I kept silent.
In my last life,Ethan and I barely interacted.
In this life,we became friends.
Our private school covered elementary to high school.We were in eighth grade,Ethan in tenth,two years ahead of me.
“Claire,think you’re a princess?You’re just our pet.You really think you can date Ethan? Forget it.”
“Mind your own business.”I spoke icily.
Jessica smirked malice.“Chasing Ethan?Better grovel to me.I’ll set you up with a butler’s or driver’s son.”
Groveling?I tried that last life.It ended badly.
Unfazed by my defiance,she reported me to Mrs.Harper at home.
“Mom,Claire disobeys me at school and sneaks off to meet Ethan.Her bag’s got proof.Make her show you.”
Mrs.Harper,furious at the dinner table,demanded that I hand it over or skip dinner.
“I’m not feeling hungry anyway.”
I went upstairs to my room.
Mr.and Mrs.Harper’s faces darkened.
“Ungrateful girl!If not for Jessie’s health,would we let her run wild?I’ll have her beaten and thrown out!”Mrs.Harper smashed a fine plate.
Mr.Harper calmed her down.“Tolerate it for Jessie’s sake.”
Jessica,spoiled,egged them on.“Mom,Dad,you’re okay with this little brat bullying me?If you can’t kick her out,can’t you at least punish her?”
Mrs.Harper’s expression softened.“Of course,but don’t hurt her too much—she needs to stay with you.”
Jessica said,“It’s fine,Mom.The spiritual advisor said a week apart is safe.I’m sick of her shadowing me.”
“Don’t worry,Jessie.When you don’t need her anymore,I’ll make her pay.”
Next morning,I got ready to leave for school,but my door was locked.
“Claire,don’t bother.Since you’re disobedient,you’re not going to school.Reflect on your place.”
Jessica taunted through the door.
Missing school didn’t bother me—she’d have to let me out eventually.
I pulled out Ethan’s advanced study materials from my bag and dived in.
By afternoon,drinking tap water from the bathroom eased my hunger pangs.
I pounded the door.Mr.Thompson said,“Miss Claire,stop.The master and mistress ordered that you stay locked in.”
“Mr.Thompson,I won’t leave.Just give me a bowl of rice.I’m famished.”
“No,Miss.They said no food.”
Mr.Thompson,a loyal butler,wouldn’t go against them.
I stopped knocking and examined the window.
The villa’s first floor was twenty feet high,and our rooms were on the third.Jumping would break bones,if not kill me.
Even if I escaped the window,the villa’s security would catch me.
Day one,drinking water kept me going while I studied.
Day two,hunger broke my focus.
Day three,I lay still,conserving energy.
Day four,the door swung open.
Jessica,arms crossed,loomed over me,smirking.“Claire,not looking great.Hunger’s rough,huh?Want food?Promise to obey me and stop seeing Ethan,and I’ll feed you.”
I propped myself up.
Her eyes gleamed with cruel anticipation,awaiting my groveling.
Standing to meet her gaze,I smirked,bent down,grabbed a small knife from under my pillow,and slashed my wrist without hesitation.
