My boyfriend’s childhood sweetheart, Hannah, used my credit card to fund scholarships, building herself a reputation as a beautiful, kind-hearted heiress. So when the class fundraiser money went missing and turned up in my locker, my boyfriend, Max, looked at me with a heartbroken expression and said, “Vivian, just confess. I’ll wait for you.” I tried to explain, but no one believed me. The entire class pointed their fingers at me. I was sent to prison, framed for a crime I didn’t commit. On their way to present evidence that would clear my name, my parents died in a car crash. With me out of the way, Max seized control of my family’s company and announced his marriage to Hannah. I died in that prison cell, consumed by despair. When I open my eyes, I’m back on the day Hannah pays for the scholarships. … “The university is organizing a fundraiser for students on financial aid! Is anyone interested in donating?” The familiar words sent a jolt through my entire body. I stared at the professor on the podium, talking about the benefits of the program—extra credit, honors, a leg up on grad school applications—and I knew. I was back. The next second, Hannah shot to her feet. “Professor, I’ll donate fifty thousand dollars,” she announced, “to go towards living stipends for the scholarship students.” A collective gasp went through the lecture hall. “Fifty thousand? Hannah, are you serious?” Hannah lifted her chin, deliberately showing off the designer necklace gracing her neck. “It’s only fifty grand. Do I look like I’m joking?” The room erupted in applause. “Hannah, you’re literally a princess! So generous and kind,” gushed Laura, my roommate and Hannah’s biggest sycophant. “You’re always so down-to-earth, but when it really matters, you step up. Not like some people, who just parade around with their Chanel bags trying to show off.” She shot a pointed glare at the backpack sitting behind me. I only liked the bag because it was spacious. My family’s housekeeper used the same one for groceries. Compared to the exclusive, custom-made pieces in my closet, this one was laughably plain. In my last life, I had been the anonymous donor who had sponsored Hannah through a private fund my father set up. I’d even given her a supplementary card linked to my account. At first, the charges were small—a few hundred here, a few thousand there. I didn’t think much of it. So when she announced she was donating $50,000, I was a little annoyed, but I didn’t say anything. After all, my family donated millions to charity every year. Because of that one act, Hannah became the campus’s philanthropic angel, while I was branded a vain, materialistic snob. Then, the class fundraiser money vanished. It was Hannah who led a search party to my locker, where they “found” it. And it was Max who stood before everyone and sealed my fate. “Vivian, go to the police. I’ll wait for you.” I was ostracized, expelled, and thrown in jail. The university gave my guaranteed spot in the graduate program to Hannah. When my parents died trying to save me, I just… gave up. After my death, I watched as Max used illegal means to take over my family’s corporation and proposed to Hannah with a fleet of nine hundred helicopters. They became the internet’s most adored power couple, their happiness built on the blood of my family. Rage, hot and sharp, coiled in my gut, and I clenched my fists until my knuckles were white. Basking in the praise, Hannah gave a modest wave. “Oh, it’s not that big of a deal. I just want to do my part to help others.” Then, her eyes landed on my bag, her gaze loaded with meaning. “Vivian, that bag looks… familiar. I know it’s normal for women to want nice things, but please, don’t let your vanity ruin your life.” I ignored her and looked directly at the professor. “Professor, I’ll also donate fifty thousand dollars.” He glanced at me, his eyes filled with disbelief. “Are you sure, Vivian? Once your name is down, the pledge is binding. If you can’t follow through, you’ll lose all academic honors, your club positions, and your grad school recommendation. You need to think this through. Don’t make a reckless decision you’ll regret.” Hannah grabbed my arm, her face a mask of frantic concern. “Vivian, if you’re only doing this to compete with me, then I won’t donate! I can’t bear to watch you destroy your future because of me. I’d never forgive myself.” Hearing this, the scholarship students in the class panicked and turned on me. “Vivian, you are so unbelievably selfish! Are you really going to take away our funding just to satisfy your own ego?” “Do you have any idea how hard we’ve worked to get here? We skip meals just to save money! This donation was our one chance at a normal life, and you’re going to ruin it with your stupid bluff? You’re a monster!” “Keep your vanity to yourself! Why do you have to drag us down with you? People like you are a disgrace to this university! Get out!” One of the more hot-headed students lunged at me, grabbing my arm and yanking me out of my seat. I stumbled and fell hard on the floor. As more students started to surge forward, the professor finally intervened, shouting threats of expulsion to get the situation under control. He turned to me, his expression laced with disappointment. “Vivian, charity is a wonderful thing, but you must act within your means. For your own good, it’s best you sit this one out.” My jaw tightened. “Professor,” I said, my voice cold, “I don’t believe you have the right to make that decision for me.” Hannah immediately jumped in. “Professor, please don’t be hard on Vivian. It’s fine, I just won’t participate.” Her words were perfectly crafted to sound as if I were bullying her into withdrawing her offer. I was speechless. The students who had just been restrained exploded again. “Just get out of here, Vivian! Stop putting on a show! You think you have that kind of money?” “Yeah, we don’t want your donation anyway! We don’t need your pity money!” “Pah! I wouldn’t take a cent from you! We’d rather starve!” “Professor, we all formally request that Vivian be barred from donating!” The professor’s gaze was hard as steel. “Vivian, you need to respect the wishes of your peers. Don’t be so selfish.” I let out a bitter laugh and swept my eyes over the crowd. “Fine. I won’t donate. But remember—you’re the ones who told me not to.” The scholarship students immediately turned to Hannah, their faces alight with hope. “Hannah, Vivian has backed down. No one is pressuring you now. Is your offer of fifty thousand still on the table?” Hannah shot me a triumphant, challenging look. “Of course it is.” The professor moved to her side, his voice gentle. “Hannah, if you’re certain, just sign this pledge form. The funds need to be transferred to the university’s account within three days.” Hannah picked up the pen and, without a moment’s hesitation, signed her name with a flourish. After class, I was heading back to my dorm when I saw Max and Hannah standing near the entrance. He was laughing, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. The moment he saw me, his face went cold. “Vivian, I heard you made a scene in class today, trying to one-up someone by pledging fifty grand. When did you become so desperate for attention?” Seeing my expression darken, he softened his tone. “Look, I’m just saying this for your own good. My family is comfortable, but fifty thousand dollars is a lot of money. Were you planning on draining your parents’ savings account just to satisfy your ego? You should be grateful Hannah was there to stop you before you made a huge mistake. You need to thank her properly. She saw a necklace she really likes… it’s only about three grand. You should get it for her.” I stared at him, then let out a disbelieving laugh. “Max, if you don’t have a mirror, I suggest you find a puddle. You want me to spend my money on a gift for your little childhood friend? Your ego is bigger than your brain.” Max froze, clearly stunned. The old Vivian would have done anything to please him. Three grand was nothing if it kept him happy. Not anymore. I’d rather give my money to a homeless person on the street than spare him another dime. His face turned thunderous. “Vivian, do you have any idea what you’re saying?” I widened my eyes, feigning innocence. “Oh, was I not speaking English? Do you need a translator?” His face flushed with rage. Hannah stepped forward, her voice trembling with manufactured hurt. “Vivian, I know you don’t like me. I’ll stay away from you and Max from now on. Please don’t be angry with him because of me.” Max’s glare was icy. “Stop being so jealous, Vivian. I’ve told you, Hannah is like a sister to me. You spend thousands on a single bag. What’s the big deal about buying her one piece of jewelry? She’s going to be your sister-in-law one day.” I stared at Hannah for a long moment. “Is her mouth lined with gold? A few words from her are worth three thousand dollars? Is she worth it?” Hannah’s eyes immediately filled with tears. Max’s face contorted with fury. “That’s it, Vivian, you’ve gone too far! Hannah saved you fifty thousand dollars! Buying her a thank-you gift is the least you can do! If you won’t do it, then we’re through!” A genuine smile spread across my face. “Great! We’re done. See you never.” I turned and sprinted back to my dorm, faintly hearing him screaming behind me, yelling that I would regret this. The first thing I did when I got to my room was freeze the supplementary card. Let’s see where you get fifty thousand dollars from now, Hannah.
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