Chapter 3

3

When I woke up, I was lying on the living room sofa.

The birthday cake and the hot pot were gone. I looked down and realized I was clutching a dirty cleaning rag.

I was confused for a split second, but the reality hit me fast.

I had been reborn. I was back to the time before the trip.

Before I could process it, my mother's voice boomed from the kitchen.

"Clara! Why are you slacking off? Get back to those floors!"

I didn't say a word. I just knelt down and started scrubbing.

Sure enough, the familiar click-clack of high heels approached. Vesper walked up to me, angling her foot to stomp on my fingers.

But I was ready this time. Right as her heel descended, I yanked the rag with all my strength!

Vesper missed my hand entirely. Her heel caught the wet rag instead, and she went flying.

She slammed into the floor face-first. Her nose hit the hardwood with a sickening crunch, and blood started spraying everywhere.

Before she could even scream, I put on my most terrified face and started apologizing.

"Oh my god, Vesper! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you coming. Why were you standing so close to where I was scrubbing?"

The insults she was about to scream got stuck in her throat. She just glared at me while clutching her bleeding nose and limping to the sofa.

I looked down to hide the smirk spreading across my face.

It took a while for the bleeding to stop. She gave me a murderous look before turning her attention to Mom.

I knew what was coming next. Her real target today wasn't me.

"Mom, Kai told me that the resorts in Mexico are so trendy right now. Summer break is coming up, so why don't we all go?"

It was word-for-word what she had said in my past life.

My mother looked skeptical. "Mexico? Isn't it expensive?"

In my previous life, I had jumped in to warn them about the danger, which earned me a slap.

This time, I jumped up with fake excitement and cornered them.

"Mexico! That sounds amazing! If I get to go on an international trip, my friends will be so jealous!"

"There's this rich guy in my class who's always talking about his trips. This would finally give me something to talk to him about!"

"Please, let's go! I want to go so bad!"

The moment Vesper saw how excited I was, her expression soured.

I knew her better than anyone. Nothing was more important to Vesper than making sure I stayed miserable.

If I said I didn't want to go, she would force me.

But if I acted like it was my biggest dream, she would do everything in her power to stop me.

Sure enough, Vesper immediately grabbed Mom's arm.

"Actually, Mom, if we all go, who's going to watch the house? We'll be gone for weeks. It'll be a mess."

"And what about the dog? Professional pet sitters are so expensive these days. It's like a hundred bucks a day."

"Maybe Clara should just stay here and take care of things."

I immediately put on a pouty face and started whining. "No way! That's not fair! I don't want to stay here alone!"

Seeing my frustration, my mother's temper flared instantly. She shoved me back hard.

"Shut up! You're stayin' here. You'll clean this house from top to bottom, and if there's a speck of dust when we get back, I'll break your legs!"

Vesper gave me a satisfied, smug look. She turned back to Mom to start looking at travel blogs.

I watched their backs, finally letting a real smile touch my lips.