Part 3The Cushion

I went to the counter and gave my name to pick up the admission letter.

The postmaster praised me enthusiastically.

"You're the only college student from our town this time! You really did us proud!"

He practically escorted me out on a pedestal.

I was confused.

In my previous life, wasn't Sarah also a college student? How come I was the only one?

But I didn't dwell on it.

When I got home and told my parents the good news, my dad was so excited he lit incense for the ancestors.

My mom immediately prepared a feast and invited the neighbors in our alley to celebrate.

Ethan's house was in the same alley, less than twenty yards away.

When he came back, still in his work clothes, he had a large gash on his hand, dripping blood.

My mom saw it and made me go get some styptic herbs and a towel.

I really didn't want to go.

But I couldn't resist my mom's stern look.

She was a doctor and ran a small clinic. She treated all the neighbors' minor ailments.

Reluctantly, I crushed some herbs in a mortar and applied them to Ethan's hand, wrapping it with the towel.

Ethan looked at me with a complicated expression.

"I heard you got into college. You got the admission letter?"

I didn't speak, just nodded.

But Ethan's eyes seemed to show a flash of panic and unease.

I thought he might have found a conscience and realized my worth, but he immediately raised his voice.

"You can't go! Clara, I order you to give up this opportunity."

I stared at Ethan like he was an idiot for a long time.

He must still think we were living in the past life, where I obeyed him for forty years.

I looked at him with sarcasm, a cold smile on my lips.

"Why can't I go? I worked hard to get in, why should I give it up?"

"Because Sarah has been waiting for this chance for a long time! As long as you give it up, the school will do a supplementary admission, and I can push Sarah into your spot!"

In that instant, I froze, trembling with rage.

Once again, Ethan's words cut me to the bone.

No wonder I was the only one admitted, yet in my past life, Sarah was the one who returned with a degree.

It was him.

In my past life, he caused me to lose my chance at college.

And I foolishly thought it was an accident, devoting my life to taking care of him.

All the emotions I had buried erupted.

I was so stupid. I should have realized it sooner.

In my past life, with a salary of sixty dollars a month, he brought home less than half. It wasn't enough to live on.

To lighten his burden, I worked as a temp.

Only then did I learn that most of Ethan's money was being sent away.

Now it seems most of it was sent to Sarah, who was in college.

My voice squeezed through my gritted teeth.

"Ethan, in our last life you made me miss college. This time you want me to give it up again? Keep dreaming! I won't give this chance to anyone!"

He glared at me, threateningly.

"I am ordering you, not discussing with you. Clara, if you listen, I don't mind marrying you again in this life."

"But if you insist on fighting me, don't blame me for disregarding our past marital bond!"

I bit the inside of my cheek until it bled.

The metallic taste filled my mouth.

Forty years of affection meant nothing to him.

In his eyes, there was only Sarah!

"Don't worry. In this life, even if I never marry, I won't marry you!"

With that, I turned and walked away.

Behind me, Ethan kicked a chair in rage.

"Fine! Clara, if you have the guts, don't ever come crawling back to me!"

I returned home with red eyes.

My mom immediately knew I had fought with Ethan.

"Clara, don't cry. Did you fight with Ethan? Listen to mom, if you want to marry him, you have to tolerate his temper."

"No. I will never marry Ethan in this life. Once I go to college, there will be plenty of men better than him!"

In my past life, I was trapped by Ethan until death.

In this life, I won't make the same mistake.