ManyWriters

On the eve of the graduation exhibition, my boyfriend swapped my graduation project with his childhood sweetheart's.
After I discovered it, I ignored his pleas and switched back to my original work.
Later, my graduation project caused a sensation at the exhibition. I became an overnight success, not only winning the academy's gold award but also having my piece acquired for millions of dollars.
But just as I was about to use the money to pay off my boyfriend's father's gambling debts, his childhood sweetheart jumped from her apartment building.
My boyfriend flew into a rage and smashed my artwork.
"Sera, are you so vain that you just had to compete with Delilah! If it weren't for you, how could she have ended up in the ICU!"
The words had barely left his lips when, without a moment's hesitation, he dragged me off to have 1000 milliliters of my blood drawn for his childhood sweetheart.
Already anemic, I didn't survive. I died on the operating table.
When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day Julian was about to swap my graduation project with Delilah's.

The Paintings Reveals All Truths

This graduation showcase was a golden opportunity to change my life.


In my past life, if I hadn't been framed and led to my death, my future would have been dazzlingly bright.


In this life, I certainly wouldn't waste my talent and abilities for the sake of revenge.


With the graduation showcase just a week away, I was racing against the clock to recreate my graduation piece.


"Sera, my dear! When will the money come through?"


I frowned. "Mr. Croft, I'm just a student. I don't have that kind of money."


He retorted, dissatisfied, "Sera! How can you not have money? Julian told me your parents left you a huge insurance payout when they passed away! Besides, your paintings can fetch a good price too! Honey, I know I was wrong, I won't gamble anymore. Please, just help me pay off my debts one more time, okay?"


A cold sneer formed in my heart. He truly was a bottomless pit.


Previously, the only reason I helped Mr. Croft pay his debts was because I didn't want the man I loved to be dragged into his mess.


I fell in love with Julian during my freshman year of high school. Back then, my parents died in a car accident on their way to my birthday party. During that time, I was consumed by extreme self-blame, even contemplating suicide.


It was Julian who guided me through it. He said, "Beauty is found in the deepest waters, and rebirth in the direst straits." He told me he had a father hopelessly addicted to gambling, a mother who had run away from home, and his own shattered life.


Back then, my heart went out to him, and I vowed to cherish him for a lifetime.


So, I paid off his father's debts year after year, each time telling myself it would be the last.


I sighed. "Mr. Croft, I'm just a student. My parents weren't wealthy, and all the money they left me has gone to paying your debts. I have almost nothing left now."


From the other end of the line, I could hear the sound of violent pounding on a door.


"Croft, pay up now! Or I'll break your legs!"


Mr. Croft lost his patience. "Sera! Must you be so stingy? Is it really so hard for you to help me pay this off?"


I had lost my patience too. "Mr. Croft, I owe you nothing. Go find your son!"


"Sera! What are you talking about? Isn't what's yours my son's? You're going to marry into our family sooner or later anyway! Hurry up and cough up the money to butter up your future father-in-law!"


"Mr. Croft, who said I'm going to marry your son? From this moment on, I won't give you another cent. If you need something, go to your son."


I hung up the phone and went back to my writing. A short while later, Julian began bombarding me with calls. I guessed what he was going to say and just hung up.


The studio door was suddenly kicked open.


"Sera! How can you still have the heart to be painting right now?! Come with me, this instant! You need to go to my father, apologize, and pay back the money!"


I shook his hand off me. "Are you insane?!"


Julian roared in fury, "Sera, are you really that damn stingy?! It's all because of you that my father's legs were broken by those debt collector!"


Chapter 2