Part 1The Artist's Revenge

On the day we submitted our college applications, I knelt at home, while Caleb knelt at his company.

Two days and two nights, just to beg our parents to call off the arranged marriage.

Everyone was confused, but only I knew the truth.

In my past life, after marrying Caleb, I worked tirelessly for our family, standing with him at the peak of the business world.

Yet, he forced me to take the fall for the fake heiress, Layla, and go to prison.

He looked down on me with indifference.

"If you hadn't forced me to get engaged to you right after you got into Harvard, my wife would have been Layla. You deserve to pay for your greed."

My parents chimed in, "Fiona, you always stole Layla's things. Now, you finally get your karma!"

The engagement was clearly demanded by both our parents.

I vomited blood and died of anger.

After my death, my body rotted in the morgue while they held a grand wedding banquet at a five-star hotel to celebrate their union.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of college application submissions.

In this life, I decided to let them have what they want.

* * *

The homeroom teacher pushed the application form towards Caleb and me, pride evident in his voice.

"The Harvard admissions office called. You two tied for the highest score in the city. You can apply anytime."

"I don't want to go to the same university as Fiona."

Caleb twirled his pen nonchalantly, his eyes arrogant.

"I'm going to apply to the same school as Layla."

The teacher stood up abruptly, glasses sliding down his nose.

"Are you crazy?"

"Layla's score isn't even enough for a decent state college! Caleb, you're joking with your future!"

Caleb ignored him.

He stood with one hand in his pocket, back straight, exuding an air of aloofness.

"Teacher, Layla's SAT score might be low, but she's more excellent than Fiona. She has special talents, just wait and see!"

Saying this, his gaze went past me and settled on the office door.

Layla was standing there, timidly twisting her fingers.

I noticed Caleb's eyes soften instantly, a tenderness he never gave me.

"As for Fiona," he withdrew his gaze, his voice returning to its usual indifference, "she is excellent, but too conventional. I want a soul that can stand equal to me, not a nerd who only knows how to study."

The teacher was shaking with anger:

"Do you know what you're saying? Everyone says you and Fiona have a good relationship. Isn't it great for you both to go to Harvard?"

"Even if you don't go to Harvard together, there's no need to lower your standards. The difference between a community college and a top-tier university isn't just about the faculty."

Caleb adjusted his collar, his every move radiating the arrogance of a top student.

"Fiona treats me well, but our relationship is average."

"I only want to be with someone who has real talent and learning, to create our own world together. Layla is the one I want."

His gaze followed Layla at the door, eyes shining with a fervor I couldn't understand.

At this point, I understood.

Caleb was reborn like me.

In his past life, he didn't get enough time as a couple, so in this life, he's eager to start over with his true love.

If it were my past life, I would have been heartbroken, but now, my heart is exceptionally calm.

The teacher was furious, "Do whatever you want, just don't regret it later."

Caleb was confident, glancing at me, "Choosing Layla is something I will never regret."

He left side by side with Layla. Only then did I speak slowly.

"Teacher, are you really not going to interfere with Caleb's application?"

The teacher patted my shoulder, sighing.

"Fiona, I know you like Caleb. Do you want to go to the same university as him?"

"But forced love isn't sweet. The university he wants for Layla is too much of a downgrade. You don't need to go to a community college for him."

I was stunned for a moment, then laughed, my eyes clear and firm.

"Teacher, you misunderstood."

"I won't give up my future for anyone, nor will I be anyone's sidekick."

The teacher paused, nodding with relief.

"Good! Good! I knew you were always the most sensible one."

I smiled, put the application form into my folder, and left the office.

On this day in my past life, Caleb and I applied to Harvard together.

Our parents clamored for us to get engaged. He didn't object, so I thought he agreed.

Who knew he loved Layla? His parents just required his wife to be someone who could stand equal to him.

Layla later shone at the International Youth Art Exhibition and was specially admitted to Harvard, missing him just barely.

Because of this, he hated me for ten years.

And made me take the fall and go to jail for his beloved.

In this life, I won't have any involvement with him. I'll let them be.

Walking to the grove, I suddenly heard Layla and her best friend laughing.

"Layla, you're amazing!"

"Not only did you steal the love of Fiona's parents at home, but now even Caleb is devoted to you."

Layla scoffed: "What's that? Why does that nerd always get first place?"

"It's also my nanny mom's fault for being soft-hearted back then. She swapped us, but why didn't she just sell that little bitch Fiona to the mountains?"

"If she were in the mountains, the Lin family definitely wouldn't have found her back, and she wouldn't be fighting me for the position of the Lin family daughter!"

So, we weren't "accidentally switched at birth," but maliciously swapped.

My blood froze instantly, a chill running down my spine.

I remembered my foster mother's belt after drinking, my foster father's lecherous gaze, and the tuition fees that could never be gathered.

These sufferings I shouldn't have endured.

Because of her and her mother's greed, their desire for a good life, they pushed me into hell.

If I hadn't been ambitious, getting into a key high school from a small town and reuniting with the Lin family, I might never have found my biological parents.

Hatred surged like a tide. I clenched my fists, nails digging deep into my palms.

Just as I was about to step forward, a hand grabbed my arm.

"Fiona, looking for trouble with Layla again?"

Caleb had walked up to me at some point, frowning, eyes full of disgust and impatience.

I looked up coldly: "Did you hear what she just said?"

His gaze swept over Layla not far away, "What could she say? That she and I will be together soon, and you're jealous?"

Looking back at me, his tone carried a warning.

"Layla is kind-hearted. If you're angry about the college application, take it out on me, don't harass her!"

Kind-hearted?

I almost laughed out loud.

"Caleb," I stared into his eyes, "are you blind and deaf?"

His face darkened, tone arrogant:

"Fiona, don't think good grades give you the right to be arrogant. In three days, you'll know who truly deserves to go to Harvard!"

Seeing my eyes turn red, his tone softened inexplicably.

"Of course, if you still can't let go of me, after we start college, I can discuss with Layla to spare a day each month to accompany you."

I looked at him quietly, suddenly finding it laughable.

The boy I once looked up to was now full of arrogance, stupid beyond belief.

"Caleb," I smiled slowly, "you make me sick."

His face changed drastically, but I didn't bother to look at him again, shaking off his hand and walking away.

At the corner, I made a call:

"I want all birth records from City Central Hospital on June 15th eighteen years ago, including surveillance and duty rosters."

After hanging up, I dialed another number:

"Principal Zhang, about this year's International Youth Art Exhibition, I'm participating."

I looked at the WeChat moment Layla just posted.

She and Caleb holding hands, captioned "Destined encounter."

I laughed softly.

Layla, don't you love stealing my things?

Caleb, don't you think she's pure and kind?

Good, very good.

Then I will tear off your masks in front of the whole school.

I will make you ruined and forever wanting what you can't have.