Chapter 1

"Hey guys! It's Day 23 of my intense study vlog! Only one week left until the big exam, and today, I'm finally revealing the top-tier position I'm aiming for!"

The overly sweet, high-pitched voice drilled into my ears, jarring me awake.

I gasped, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. The cold, sterile smell of the prison cell I had died in was gone, replaced by the scent of vanilla latte and expensive perfume.

I’m back.

It hit me with the force of a freight train. I had been reborn.

On the screen in front of me, Sutton Pierce—my so-called 'best friend'—was beaming at the camera, announcing the government position she intended to secure.

The chat on her livestream instantly exploded.

"Are you kidding? That's the 'Golden Bowl' position! The odds are like 6,000 to 1!"

"This is a joke, right? People spend years grinding for that spot. Does she really think a month of vlogging is enough to pass?"

"Just followed! Can't wait to see her face when she fails miserably."

The majority of the comments were skeptical, mocking Sutton for her delusion. And they had every right to be.

"Are these people serious?" My boyfriend, Declan Cross, sat beside me, fuming. He was aggressively tapping on his phone, reporting the negative comments one by one. "They're just jealous haters. They have no idea how brilliant Sutton actually is!"

I couldn't help but let out a cold, sharp scoff.

Brilliant? Anyone who had actually prepared for the National Civil Service Exam knew that no amount of 'brilliance' could replace the sheer volume of knowledge needed. Thirty days of studying was a drop in the ocean.

In my previous life, Sutton had been a failing travel blogger desperate for clout. Riding the wave of exam fever, she boldly claimed she could snag the country's most competitive job with just a month of prep.

It was a publicity stunt. But the horror was—she actually did it.

When the results came out, the influencer who spent more time picking filters than reading textbooks took the top spot. She gained a million followers overnight and became a national icon of 'efficiency.'

And me? The one whose spot she had stolen?

I had spent three years studying until my eyes bled. Yet, I was the one accused of cheating. I was the one stripped of my dignity, labeled a fraud, and eventually sent to rot in prison.

Every time I tried to defend myself, the public just mocked me: "Look at her, the jealous loser trying to drag down our genius goddess."

"Which position are you going for, Harper?"

Sutton's voice pulled me out of the nightmare. She had ended her livestream and was now looking at me with feigned curiosity, her eyes wide and innocent.

Before I could answer, Declan jumped in, eager to be her mouthpiece. "She's applying for the same one, obviously."

Sutton covered her mouth in a dramatic gasp. "Wow, Harper! We're rivals? But they're only hiring one person..."

She tilted her head, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Well, you've studied for three whole years and aced every practice test. You'll obviously get it. I'm just here to be the filler, you know? Just trying my luck."

Declan looked at her with puppy-dog eyes, completely buying her act. "Don't say that, Sutton. You're smart and efficient. Harper just grinds hard, but you have raw talent. Who knows who'll take first place?"

Sutton giggled, a sound that made my stomach turn.

I clenched my fists under the table. In my past life, I had been so blind. I hadn't seen the sickening dynamic between them—the way he lifted her up while putting me down.

Sutton reached into her designer bag and pulled out a stack of crumpled papers.

"Here you go, Harper. These are the exclusive practice exercises from that top-tier elite class. I bought them just for you. Study them carefully, okay? I want you to do well."

Declan’s eyes practically sparkled with admiration.

"Sutton, you're a saint. Sharing your resources with a competitor? Harper, say thank you. Do you realize what a huge advantage she just gave you?"

An advantage?

I looked at the papers. She was just making sure I would score high enough for her to steal. She needed me to be perfect so she could harvest the fruit of my labor without lifting a finger.

I let out a dry, humorless laugh.

"I don't need them."

Declan, protective as a guard dog, snapped instantly. "What is your problem? Sutton is trying to help you. Why do you always have to be so ungrateful? Apologize to her. Now."

Sutton blinked, and just like that, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She was an Oscar-worthy performer.

"Harper... are you mad because Declan is taking me to Slovia tomorrow?" She sniffled, her voice trembling. "Don't worry. I get it. I can go by myself. It's fine."

Declan frowned instinctively, his voice dropping an octave. "Absolutely not. I can't let you go alone. It's not safe."

Ah, yes. I almost forgot this scene.

One week before the biggest exam of our lives, Sutton decided she needed a 'mental health break' to Slovia to film content. And Declan, my boyfriend, insisted on being her knight in shining armor.

In my past life, I had begged him not to go. I wanted him to focus on his own exam. I fought for his future, and in return, he resented me for it. He passed the exam, dumped me, and credited Sutton for his success.

Now? Since he insisted on digging his own grave, who was I to take away the shovel?

"But..." Sutton hesitated, looking at me with those big, watery eyes, pretending it was such a tough choice. "Harper might need you..."

"Funny enough," I cut in, my voice calm and steady. "I was actually planning a little trip myself."

Declan shot me an annoyed look, like I was a child throwing a tantrum.

"You're coming with us? Harper, stop being so ridiculous! You need to study. Besides, I've known Sutton for ten years. If anything were going to happen between us, do you really think you'd even be in the picture?"

I stood up slowly. I picked up my exam admission ticket—the piece of paper I had guarded with my life in the past timeline.

I looked Declan dead in the eye, smiled, and ripped it in half.

Rrrrip.

The sound was loud in the quiet room. I tossed the pieces into the trash can.

"Don't worry, Declan," I said, grabbing my bag. "Whatever you two get up to is none of my business. I'm going on my own trip. Alone."