In my previous life, I lost to Justin by just two points.
But not this time.
In this life, I wouldn’t leave any regrets. I was determined to beat him without question.§
And somehow, I think he could feel it.
During the exam, Justin flew through the papers like a machine. No pauses, no hesitation.
It had been years since I’d seen that kind of focus in him. It was like watching the old Justin come back to life. He scribbled down answers as if the outcome of the world depended on it.
When the final bell rang and the test ended, Uncle Richard and Aunt Evelyn were already waiting by the school gate.
Justin didn’t even look at them. He just walked right past like they weren’t even there. But they didn’t get upset. Not at all. The fact that their son had taken the test was a miracle to them. They turned to me instead, grabbing my hand like I was their last lifeline.
Aunt Evelyn grabbed my hand, her fingers trembling slightly.
“Rhian, did he really sit the whole test? Did he answer everything seriously?“}
I nodded.
Their shoulders sagged in relief. Aunt Evelyn let out a shaky breath that sounded like a sob, and Uncle Richard turned away, wiping at his
eyes.
…D
After the exam, Justin disappeared again.
His parents didn’t make an effort to find him. They wouldn’t even prevent him from spending more time with Stacey if that’s what he wanted.
With his academic record, Justin could still attend any top school he wanted.
Stonemount College. Ashcroft University.
It was just a matter of choosing.}
Then came the day the results were posted.
Both families gathered around the laptop. No one spoke. The room was silent except for the quiet hum of the computer.
My name appeared first.
Zero.
No one moved.
Then my parents started crying. Not because they were disappointed, but because they understood what that score meant.}
That zero was the system’s way of marking a top scorer.
Then we checked Justin’s results.
Another zero.
But this time, the reaction was different. There was no celebration or cheers, but just stunned silence.}
Uncle Richard and Aunt Evelyn froze, then lunged forward, wrapping their arms around Justin like they were afraid to let go.
I looked over at him, and for a moment, I saw that quiet, smug satisfaction on his face.
He had done it again and scored perfectly.
But, right then, Justin scoffed. “Why are you so happy? What if I really got a zero?”
“Don’t joke like that,” Uncle Richard scolded, giving him a light smack.
Aunt Evelyn shook her head, still wiping at her eyes. “Rhian said you were writing the whole time. You didn’t stop for a second.“}
Justin turned to look at me. His eyes were cold.
He smirked. “Of course, you’d still be reporting back. Some things never change.”
He pulled out his phone and opened Stacey’s social media page.
Then he handed it to his parents.}
Their expressions collapsed the moment they read it.
Justin stood there watching them, clearly pleased. “You thought dragging me into the exam room fixed everything?“}
D
9:23 AM
D
On the screen was Stacey’s latest post:
Chapter 5%
[While everyone else was being a bookworm, he filled his answer sheet with love letters to me.]}]
So that was what he had been writing–page after page of love letters.
Not a single answer.
God, I felt sick.
And just like that, Justin’s score was invalidated. I became the official top scorer.
No rivals left.}
The moment that sunk in, Uncle Richard and Aunt Evelyn almost collapsed. Someone had to call the paramedics. My parents were furious.§
My father even smacked Justin on the head, hard. “Do you think this is a joke? You threw away the most important exam of your life for what? A prank? A girl?“}
Justin just stared at him.
His face was unreadable.
“I want one thing clear,” he said. “I’m not living by your rules anymore.”
…0
That night, I stepped away from the celebration dinner and headed to the restroom. I needed a moment to breathe. I splashed cold water gn my face and stood there momentarily, trying to collect myself.”
As I walked back, I heard voices coming from the private room next door.
Men shouting numbers:
“$1000! I want Rhian’s bunny.”
“$5000! Give me three photos.”
“$10,000! I’ll take the whole set.“>
My stomach dropped.§
I crept closer and peered through the small gap in the door.
Inside, a group of men sat around a long table, tossing stacks of cash back and forth. On the massive projector screen behind them, photos of me flashed by in a steady, horrifying stream.
Shot after shot, it was my face and body–those same photos from the alley. I was being displayed like merchandise, paraded across the screen as if I were up for auction.
At the head of the table sat Justin.}
He looked perfectly at ease, a smug smile playing on his lips. One arm was casually draped around Stacey, as if this were nothing more than light entertainment.}
I stepped forward, my voice sharp and furious. “What the hell are you doing?”
Immediately, I shoved the door open and stormed inside.
Justin looked up, mildly surprised, like I’d interrupted some casual gathering.
He raised a brow. Oh? You’re here. Don’t freak out. Come on, it’s just a joke.”
ESIFF
Then he leaned back casually, adding, “You’re always buried in books, Rhian. Thought I’d help you loosen up. Try something new.”
The men turned toward me. Their eyes lit up like they’d spotted a prize.
One of them stood up slowly, licking his lips as he stared at me.}
“Well damn, Stacey,” he said with a laugh. “Didn’t know your little business came with live samples.”
“Tsk, tsk.” One of them whistled, his eyes dragging over me like a floodlight. “So they’re real, huh? I thought those pics were photoshopped.
