Chapter 1After my husband retired, I dragged my ass overseas to wipe his. Literally.
Going through his shit, I found his journals.
Turns out the food poisoning that made me miss my study abroad exam forty years ago? Yeah. NOT food poisoning.
His precious first love stole my spot. Used MY name, MY acceptance. Flew overseas with him and lived the life that should've been MINE.
And me? The top student with a full scholarship and a brilliant future?
I rotted away as a housewife. Forty years in a prison.
So I posted everything and jumped.
And you know what that bastard did? Told the world I was a jealous psycho. A liar. Said I'd lost my mind.
The internet buried me. Bitter. Delusional. Psycho bitch.
But when I opened my eyes again? I was back. The day before that exam.
This time, THEY'RE the ones who'll pay.
Every single year they stole from me? I'm taking it back.
Welcome to my world, assholes.
---
"Brynn, yo, where'd you go just now?"
I blinked. Callum's face came into focus, all fake concern.
Everything hit me at once—every lie, every stolen year, every humiliation.
Holy shit. I'm actually back.
Last time, I'd been puking my guts out all night before the exam, couldn't even make it to the testing center.
Callum and his little angel Tessa had swooped in as alternates, stolen my scholarship to Cambridge, and fucked off to England together.
Just thinking about what those two put me through last time made my blood boil. My hands curled into fists before I could stop them.
Callum waved his hand in front of my face. "Earth to Brynn?"
"I'm fine."
I turned away, voice flat as hell, and stared at the practice problems on my desk.
Callum didn't pick up on the ice in my tone. He just stood up, already heading for the door. "Tessa's here. Gonna grab her real quick."
Tessa bounced into my room hanging off his arm like some kind of parasite, giggling and playing with his fingers.
Seeing that face again—God, I wanted to rip her apart right there. The pen in my hand almost snapped.
It took everything I had to keep my face neutral.
"Brynn, help Tessa cram for tomorrow, yeah? She needs to nail this exam."
Callum wasn't asking. He was telling me.
Tessa bounced over, trying way too hard to look innocent. But I caught that smug little smirk. "You're such a lifesaver, Brynn."
I stared dead at Callum. "Only two spots. So you gonna give her yours, or...?"
His face dropped.
This wasn't some bullshit participation award. Cambridge was taking two students, covering everything for four years. Two. That's it.
I'd always been number one. Callum was number two. Tessa? Stuck at number three, no matter how hard she tried.
"Fuck no! That spot's mine!"
"Then why the hell would I tutor her?"
I spun my pen around, didn't even glance at him.
Tessa's face went ghost-white. "Brynn, I know I'm dumb compared to you. If you don't want to, forget it. I'll just leave!"
She whipped around all dramatic, fake-crying. Callum grabbed her and yanked her back behind him.
Jesus Christ, the way he looked at her—like she was some injured puppy. Made me sick.
"Brynn, quit being a bitch. Look what you're doing to her." His voice went cold.
"You're already so fucking smart—how's it gonna kill you to give her your spot? There's always next year."
My face must've looked murderous because he suddenly backpedaled hard.
He moved closer, voice dropping to that fake-sweet tone he always used when he wanted shit from me. "Babe, that came out wrong. I'm just stressed about Tessa, okay? Don't be pissed."
I smiled. It didn't reach my eyes. "Oh, good. Glad you didn't mean it."
I almost never stood up to Callum. That's why he looked so rattled.
For a second, I saw it—straight-up rage flickering in his eyes. He shoved it down fast, but not fast enough.
"Look, I just figured Tessa could use some extra help going over stuff." His voice went all smooth again. "But if you're not into it, cool. I'll help her myself."
Tessa plopped down next to him. They started giggling and whispering, heads close together. The way Callum looked at her—like she hung the fucking moon or something.
My chest went tight. I'd been in love with Callum so long I didn't even think about it anymore. Guess that's why I missed all the signs.
I took a deep breath and went back to my practice problems.
The God gave me another shot. I wasn't gonna waste it.
Chapter 2
Around six, Callum grabbed Tessa's bag and threw it over his shoulder. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Brynn, Tessa wants to hit up that new Korean spot on Maple. I'm not sticking around for dinner."
Callum and I grew up next door to each other in this shitty little town outside Cleveland.
He used to come over almost every day after school—we'd do homework, he'd eat with us. That's just how it was.
He was halfway out the door with Tessa when he turned around. "Oh. You coming?"
The panic in his eyes screamed "please say no!"
Before I could say anything, Tessa grabbed his hand. "Callum, the reservation's only for two. I didn't think Brynn was gonna come..."
She gave me this pathetic puppy-dog look. "I mean, you can have my spot. I'll just stay home."
Playing victim. Classic fucking Tessa.
Callum's jaw tightened. "Tessa's been wanting to try this place, Brynn. Grow up. I'll take you another time."
He didn't wait for me to respond, just dragged Tessa out the door.
I rolled my eyes so hard they almost got stuck.
HE fake-invited me, but somehow I'M the immature one? Right.
Last time around, after Tessa jacked my scholarship, she gave this whole presentation at the school assembly about her "study tips" or whatever.
Right before she went up, she grabbed Callum, face white as a sheet, sobbing about losing her notes.
Callum whipped around to me. "You're not going to Cambridge, so you're not giving a speech anyway. Let Tessa borrow your notes."
When I said no, he looked at me like I'd just kicked a puppy.
"Brynn, Tessa's fucking bawling and you won't lift a finger? Are you serious right now?"
"Brynn! Dinner!"
Mom's voice pulled me out of it.
I sat down and she piled meatloaf and mashed potatoes onto my plate.
"Knock 'em dead tomorrow, sweetie. Once you and Callum get into Cambridge, we'll get together with the Ashfords and figure out when you two are getting engaged."
Something caught in my throat.
Our families had been planning our wedding since we were kids. It was a done deal. Everyone just... knew.
Last time around, he'd fucked up my entire life with his bullshit.
"Mom, I'm done with Callum."
Her head shot up. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Looked at my face for a long second.
Then she nodded. "You're an adult now, honey. Your call."
I went back to my room and buried myself in review materials.
This time, nothing was gonna go wrong.
Chapter 3
Next morning at school, Callum and Tessa were sitting way too close, giggling and play-fighting like a couple of middle schoolers.
When they spotted me, Callum coughed and scooted away from her. Just a little. Barely.
I sat down and pulled out my notes for one last cram session.
Callum walked over, all sweet and gentle again. "Brynn, got you some tea."
He held the thermos out.
My hands went ice-cold. Everything went fuzzy. I couldn't fucking breathe.
Last time around, that thermos—that exact same fucking thermos—was loaded with laxatives. I'd spent the whole exam shitting my guts out, couldn't even finish half of it.
And Callum? He'd cried with me afterward. Held my hand with red-rimmed eyes and promised he'd never leave me.
Lying piece of shit.
When I didn't take it right away, panic flickered across his face. "Brynn, come on. Drink it. It'll warm you up."
I stared straight into his eyes and smiled.
Then took the thermos. "Thanks."
I nodded toward the hall. "Oh yeah—Mrs. Henderson needs you guys in her office."
Callum paused, eyes flicking to the thermos.
I twisted the cap off right in front of him. Took a drink.
Both their faces just... relaxed. Tessa looked like she'd won the fucking lottery.
The second they left, I spit the water into a trash can and rinsed my mouth out like crazy.
By the time they came back, I'd already made two cups of coffee.
"Callum, here."
I handed him one, smiling like butter wouldn't melt in my mouth.
His eyes landed on the empty thermos and grinned. Tessa wasn't even trying to hide that smug little smirk anymore.
"My mom's friend brought this back from Seattle. Supposed to help you focus or whatever."
Callum frowned. "Wait, you only made two? Where's Tessa's?"
Right on cue, Tessa's eyes started getting all shiny. "It's fine, Callum. You and Brynn are getting first and second anyway..."
I almost laughed watching this bullshit.
Callum's face darkened. "Brynn, seriously? You're making Tessa feel like shit again."
He snatched the coffee out of my hand. "You know what? Nope. You don't get one. Give yours to Tessa. You'll do fine without it."
Tessa took the cup and shot me this nasty little grin before latching onto Callum's arm. "You're the best, Callum!"
I watched them both drain their cups. And smiled.
Not even two minutes later, Callum's face went green.
They both bent over, gripping their stomachs.
"Callum—oh shit, my stomach—" Tessa's voice cracked.
Callum whipped his head toward me, looking half-panicked, half-murderous. "Brynn! What the fuck did you put in that coffee?!"
I slapped my hand over my mouth. Eyes wide as hell.
"Oh my God, what's happening? Are you okay?"
"I didn't put anything in it."
"I swear—I just made it with that tea you brought me."
Callum's eyes practically bugged out. "Wait, what?"
Tessa let out this shrill scream. "YOU BITCH! You knew!"
I bit my lip and let my eyes well up, like I was terrified and confused.
Before Callum could say anything else, his stomach cramped hard and he bolted for the bathroom, Tessa stumbling after him.
I dropped the act the second they were gone.
You wanna know what it feels like to suffer? Welcome to my world, assholes.
