Second Chances

Nora spoke with a smug certainty. “The heir must excel academically and manage effectivel inheritance is indisputably yours.”

prove more capable than Aria, then the

Emma scoffed. “So, Nora, you’re suggesting a showdown with Aria? If I come out on top, I pocket the 2 million dollars?”

Nora, confident that Emma couldn’t surpass Aria, simply replied, “Exactly.”

Once Nora tipped her hand, Emma knew she had this in the bag.

Back in her previous life, she and Aria had faced a crucial exam at this exact moment. The victor would clinch the trust fund left by Emma’s mother, Stella Rivera.

But back then, Emma, lagging from a rural education, had been clueless about the exam’s stakes, blundering through her paper. She only recalled the joy on Nora and Aria’s faces when the scores were posted.

Nora had patronizingly encouraged her to study harder afterward, and Aria had gifted her a tacky ten-dollar necklace as a “meeting gift.” Looking back, Emma found it more insulting than if she’d been brushed off like a stray dog.

Biting her lip, Emma agreed, “Fine, it’s settled by the test scores then. I win, I take the money. And Aria-” She silently added with a smirk, ‘As

if she stands a chance.’

Puffed up with arrogance, Aria sneered. “I’ve been the top student for three years running! You think you can compete with me? You’re basically signing your death warrant!”

Emma couldn’t suppress a laugh, musing, ‘Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.’ She eyed Aria as though she was already out of the running.

Time zipped by, and soon, it was the day of the entrance exam at Vark College.

Arriving at Vark College, Emma and Aria were immediately recognized.

“Hey, Aria, is this your sister?” someone asked, surprised.

“Aria, she doesn’t really look like you,” another remarked.

“Your sister seems nice though,” a classmate added, smoothing over the awkward moment.

Aria, reveling in the veiled compliments, smugly said, “Sure, my sister grew up in the countryside and wasn’t great academically, but she’s a pro with farm equipment-tractors, harvesters, the works. Stuff we’ve never even laid eyes on, she can handle.” she laughed heartily, her

classmates joining in.

At that moment, Emma, indeed, didn’t share Aria’s flair for grooming. Her memories were filled with rolling in the fields: catching fish in the spring, and harvesting wheat in the fall. Now in the summer, her skin was rough, her appearance unrefined.

In her previous life, such comments had crushed her self-esteem. She felt she had let her sister down, with Aria frequently chiding her as an embarrassment and excluding her from activities. Foolishly, Emma had thought it best to be patient with her younger sister, spending nights

alone, secretly crying into her pillow.

Reflecting on it now, Emma thought it bitterly ironic. ‘People who don’t like you, just don’t. You can bend over backward for them, and they’ll still be plotting your demise. Why the hell should I care what they think?’

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With a scoff, Emma crossed her arms and draped her loose jacket over her shoulders, exuding an air of defiance. “If mothers aren’t the same, how can their kids be?”

“What did you say?” a classmate exclaimed in surprise.

“Aria, so you and your sister have different moms? We’ve been classmates for years, and you never told me that!” another chimed in, fanning

the flames.

Emma’s mom had died young, and these naive classmates had no clue that Nora was the homewrecker. Of course, Aria wouldn’t air that dirty laundry.

Aria’s face clouded over, and she clammed up.

Emma looked at her coldly, her words dripping with sarcasm. “She would never tell you. Who would wanna brag about being a love child?”

After her jab, Emma coolly walked towards the exam hall.

Moments later, as Emma sat down, Aria stormed in, her face stormy as she slammed her backpack down next to Emma. “Think you’ve got

this in the bag, Emma? Just wait until the exam results are out. Everyone will see you’re a total loser! Mom said if I ace this test, she’s snagging that 2 million dollars for me. Go to hell with your poor mom, you b**h!” Flushed with anger, Aria grabbed her backpack and

stormed out.

Emma’s gaze turned icy. ‘Insult my mom, curse my family… Aria, you’ll get a taste of hell,’ she vowed silently.

Half an hour into the exam, Emma was the first to hand in her paper, while Aria was still halfway through, desperate to nail it given the exam’s

difficulty.

Seeing Emma submit her paper so early sent a jolt through Aria. ‘What the hell? How did she finish so fast?’ She quickly comforted herself. ‘Emma, a no-name orphan from the sticks, what could she know? She probably just scribbled nonsense to get it over with.’

Reassured, Aria dove back into her test, while Emma strolled out to the school garden.

In her past life, weighed down by her insecurities, Emma had never truly appreciated the beauty of Vark College, especially after enduring bullying on campus. This time, she was determined to take it all in.

Under a pink-flowered tree, Emma was lost in thought, staring at the blossoms,

A deep, rich voice suddenly shattered the quiet. “Like what you see?”

Startled, Emma snapped back to reality and noticed a man in a wheelchair emerging from behind the floral curtain.

Liam, sat in his wheelchair, radiated an aura of aristocratic aloofness. Yet, his deep, tranquil eyes softened as they rested on her.

He noted her silence and, with a graceful flick of his wristwatch, asked, “All by yourself? Skipping class?”

Memories of a past life where they both perished in flames briefly overwhelmed Emma. She regained her composure and responded, “Yeah, I handed in my test early. Are you here to talk business with Vark College, Mr. Hall?”

“No,” Liam said, locking eyes with her. “I’m here for you.”

Emma was taken aback, falling silent.

“What’s wrong? We’re practically hitched, Can’t I check in on my future wife at school?” Liam’s voice carried a hint of challenge.

He was well aware of Emma’s hesitance toward their relationship; her pensive and conflicted expression only deepened his understanding

that she didn’t want to see him.

His expression turned stern. “If you’re not into this, I’ll just leave after I give you this.” He handed her a sleek black card. “The PIN is your birthday.”