Chapter 3

I just got back to my dorm when I saw dozens of missed calls.

I called my mom back.

Her voice, close to tears, came through the phone.

“You brat, where are you?”

I told her I just got back to the dorm and my phone had died. My mom finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“I told you not to go out in this stormy weather, but you wouldn’t listen. Look how scary things got!”

“Your dad heard Rachel was injured near the town square and thought you were with her, so he rushed over too.”

“From now on, when the weather’s bad, just stay in your dorm and read, got it?!”

I used to hate my mom’s nagging.

Now, hearing it over the phone, my heart felt warm.

In my last life, when my parents found out I was missing, they knelt in the rain outside the police station, begging them to open a case immediately.

And after Rachel became CEO, she not only purged my father’s loyal employees but also forced my dad, the former CEO, to live in a basement apartment.

Yet, even that wasn’t enough for Rachel.

Knowing my parents couldn’t handle the shock, she showed them videos of my abuse, blaming them for raising such a cold-blooded son.

Learning I had died so painfully, my parents couldn't take it.

They literally died of shock and grief.

Thinking of this, my eyes welled up.

Hearing my silence, my mom raised her voice. “You knucklehead, not talking again! You probably put your phone aside to slack off!”

“No… Mom, I was wrong before.”

My mom paused, hearing the emotion in my voice.

She thought I was worried about Rachel.

“It’s okay, Julian. Rachel is a lucky girl, and your dad will help her out.”

After hanging up with my mom, I stood on my dorm balcony and sighed softly.

Rachel and I met when we were ten.

My dad had just started his business, and her parents were divorcing.

Since we went to the same school and were in the same class, we often did homework together.

Later, in high school, Rachel and I both got into the honors class.

Both our parents thought we’d continue like that forever, until Liam Miller showed up in our senior year.

Liam was an arts student, not only good-looking but also an amazing street dancer.

Ever since Rachel saw his performance, she’d been dying to meet him.

I didn't pay much attention at first. After all, Rachel always admired strength, and Liam was a total slacker when it came to academics.

Besides, I’d personally seen Liam kissing a troublemaker in an alley, and his phone had a dozen backup girls.

But Rachel wouldn’t believe me.

She said I was just jealous.

Well, this time around.

I’m going to watch and see if she and Liam really end up together!