Part 1Trading Fates: A Journey to Rewrite Destiny

In my previous life, my mother, who worked as a live-in housekeeper for an affluent family, was given the opportunity to send one of her daughters to study alongside their son.

They claimed my sister, Ivy, wasn’t as good at academics as I was and insisted she should be the one to study with him.

As a result, Ivy went to Oakridge Academy, the elite private school, while I attended Westbrook High, the local public school.

Years later, I became a renowned software designer, while Ivy met a tragic end, dying in a foreign country, bruised and broken.

On my way to retrieve her ashes, the plane I was on crashed.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day we had to choose schools.

This time, Ivy, with fear written all over her face, chose Westbrook High.

And I became Spencer Whitlock’s study partner.

That’s when I realized: Ivy had been reborn too.

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It was rare for both my parents to be home, but they were today, their faces glowing with excitement as they prepared a table full of good food.

I glanced at the calendar—it was the day.

“Violet,” my mother said, tugging Ivy toward her, ignoring the way Ivy tried to pull away. “I’ve got great news.”

Her smile was wide, nearly triumphant. “Mrs. Whitlock, the lady I work for, said we can send one of you girls to study with her son at Oakridge Academy.”

Ivy’s brow immediately furrowed. I stayed quiet, watching from the sidelines.

As expected, my father spoke up next. “Rae’s grades are good enough to succeed anywhere. Ivy, this is your chance. You should take it.”

Just like my past life, they weren’t even giving me a choice.

The only difference this time? Ivy, who had once fought tooth and nail to be Spencer’s study partner, now shook her head violently, panic flashing in her eyes.

“I’m not going!” Her voice was so loud it startled me.

“Mom, I can’t go. My grades are bad—what if they look down on me? Or bully me? Please don’t make me go! Let Rae go instead!” she pleaded, her hands clutching at my mother’s arms.

Mom seemed hesitant, but Dad’s expression turned dark with irritation. “What are you saying? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! How can you—” He stopped mid-sentence, glancing at me.

I stayed calm, continuing to eat the rare feast on the table without so much as a glance in their direction.

“Dad, I mean it! This is a terrible idea, and if you force me to go, I’ll… I’ll kill myself!” Ivy screamed, tears streaming down her face.

Her outburst left our parents momentarily speechless, unsure of how to handle her hysteria.

But they couldn’t stand the idea of letting this golden opportunity slip by without someone in the family taking it.

It wasn’t until Ivy grabbed a fruit knife and pressed it to her throat that they finally caved.

Smirking triumphantly, Ivy shot me a victorious glance from behind our parents.

I knew then: Ivy had also been reborn. What she didn’t realize was that so had I.