Chapter 3
At 9 PM, while I was reviewing my AP Physics notes, Camden suddenly showed up at the faculty
residence.
No doubt Noah had tipped him off about my whereabouts.
“You’re leaving tomorrow!” He grinned, handing me a Red Bull. “Let’s have one last chat for old
times‘ sake.”
I took the energy drink but didn’t open it. “Finals are literally tomorrow. Shouldn’t you be cramming
right now?”
He shrugged with exaggerated confidence. “Why would I stress? I’ve got this in the bag. But you–seriously not taking the exams?”
‘Nope,” I smiled, looking down. “My brother says I can pick any university abroad–Oxford, Cambridge, whatever. Who needs the pressure cooker of American college admissions when Europe’s elite schools are basically rolling out the red carpet?”
Camden excitedly slapped his thigh. “That’s what I’ve been saying! Someone with your GPA taking
these standardized tests would be such a waste-”
He abruptly stopped mid–sentence, and I nearly laughed out loud watching him fail to hide the flash of triumph on his face.
Was this exactly how he acted in my previous life too?
Pretending to sympathize with me while internally celebrating like he’d won the lottery?
‘By the way,” I asked casually, “how’s your crush Valerie preparing for tomorrow?”
“Valerie?” His voice suddenly softened. “…She should do fine if she performs normally.”
I noticed him unconsciously touch the bracelet on his wrist–a red string identical to the one I was wearing.
Last week he’d made a special trip to that trendy spiritualist shop downtown and bought three of
these bracelets.
Luture
1.7%
Chapter 3
In my previous life, I hadn’t understood the significance, but now it was crystal clear that each charm had completely different meanings.
His bracelet charm read “Dreams Fulfilled.”
Valerie’s said “Victory Awaits.”
And mine? “Safe Travels.”
When Camden had eagerly tied these bracelets on our wrists, Valerie had playfully pouted: “So unfair, Camden! Riley’s is the prettiest.”
I’d thought it was just typical Valerie drama, but now I understood-
He’d wished her academic domination, himself a pathway to success, and me? Just a one–way ticket
out of their lives.
“Safe Travels“-from the very beginning, they were all wishing that I would never return.
Snapping back to the present, I flashed my most innocent smile. “That’s good. I mean, if she can’t
even do well after I’m gone, that would be pretty embarrassing, right?”
Camden laughed too, and as he left, he “thoughtfully” reminded me: “8 AM flight tomorrow. Don’t
oversleep!”
I watched his bouncy exit, a slight smile playing on my lips.
Just as I was about to return to my studies, Jack called: “Riley, I’ve booked you a five–star hotel. No
need to stay at school tonight.”
Jack’s voice always carried that unnegotiable warmth.
But it sent chills down my spine.
In my previous life, Jack had kept me alive in London, fending for myself, only because I still served
a purpose.
Valerie’s blood type didn’t match our parents at all. He needed to regularly extract blood samples from me to forge DNA reports.
After our parents eventually passed away, I doubt he would have kept me around much longer.
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They Stole My Idee ity. 1 Stule Their Future
Chapter 3
I’d scraped and saved every penny until I could afford to sneak back to the States through less–than–legal channels.
I stood by the faculty residence window, watching the campus lights flicker.
“Jack, I’m leaving tomorrow anyway. Please let me say a proper goodbye to everything here.”
There was a brief silence on the other end.
…Fine.” His tone noticeably relaxed. “The flight’s at 8 AM. I’ll pick you up at 7.”
I sweetly responded “Okay,” then casually added: “By the way, when can I video chat with Mom and
Dad?”
His breathing audibly hitched. “…They’re extremely busy right now. We’ll arrange it once you’re
settled in London.”
I silently smirked.
Of course he wouldn’t dare let me see my parents–if that video call connected, his entire baby–switching scheme would unravel instantly.
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