Chapter 1 On my wedding day , my fiancé abandoned me to save his first love . 55 vouchers Right then and there , I married his sworn rival instead , only to discover five years later that this marriage was just a scheme to protect her . When I opened my eyes again , I was back in the classroom in my 18 - year - old self . This time- The guaranteed college admission spot ? I'll take it . The title of campus belle ? Mine . And those three trashy people ? I'll make them tear each other apart and make their lives become a living hell . I stood in front of the dressing mirror , giving my wedding gown one final check . The pure white skirt flowed like a cloud , shimmering under the crystal lights . Today was my wedding with Carson , the man I had a crush on for five years and dated for three . " Clara , you look stunning ." My best friend Emmett adjusted my veil , eyes glistening with tears . " Carson won't be able to take his eyes off you . " I smiled faintly , my heart pounding wildly . had waited so long for this day . My phone buzzed . It was a message from Carson . I opened it eagerly , but my blood turned to ice the moment I read it . [ Sarah attempted suicide . She's in the hospital . Wedding postponed . ] Nine cold words . No explanation . Not even an apology . My fingers trembled . The room spun . " What's wrong ? " Emmett noticed my shock , glanced at my phone , and gasped . " Is he insane ? Today of all days ? What does Sarah have to do with him ? " Sarah was Carson's ex . The fragile girl who always needed saving . Even after three years apart , even on our wedding day , one call from her , and he ran . The door burst open . My mother rushed in , panicked , " Clara , Carson just left ! He said it was an emergency. The guests are waiting . What's happening ? " Topened my mouth , but no sound came out . Another buzz . It was a photo of a hospital hallway from Carson . [ Sarah's condition is unstable . I can't leave tonight . ] My vision blurred . The wedding gown suddenly felt unbearably heavy . Three years together . Five years of longing . Eiht years of love . They were destroyed by one call from his ex . " Cancel the wedding My voice was eerily calm , " Tell the guests it's over . " 1/3 P. Chapter 1 Emmett hugged me , but I felt nothing . My soul seemed to float above , watching the scene coldly . As I walked past the whispering crowd , I saw Jeremiah . Carson's cousin . The man who had pursued me for four years , despite my constant rejections . : ཙ ཚ ཨོཾ He stood there , staring at me with an unreadable expression . Suddenly , an impulse took over . I walked straight to him . " You always said you wanted to marry me . Do you still mean it ? " Gasps filled the room . Jeremiah's eyes lit up . He dropped to one knee and took my hand . " Yes . I always have ." Three months later , I married Jeremiah . 55 vouchers No grand wedding . It was just a simple registry office signing and a family dinner . Everyone said I was crazy , that I was just trying to hurt Carson . Maybe they were right . But married life turned out to be unexpectedly peaceful . Jeremiah was gentle and attentive , nothing like the annoying pursuer I'd once dismissed . He remembered all my preferences , tolerated my worst moods , and slowly melted my heart . Five years later , on our anniversary , he reserved my favorite restaurant . I dressed carefully and arrived early, only to find him already seated . Across from Carson . I nearly went to greet them but froze when I overheard their conversation . " How is Sarah these days ? " It was Carson's voice . " Good . She's married now . Her husband adores her . " A pause . Then Jeremiah asked , " Do you regret leaving Clara for Sarah that day ? " Carson laughed bitterly . " What's the point of regret ? But you always loved Sarah . Why marry Clara ? " + C I held my breath as my husband answered . " Back then , I was afraid Clara'd take her anger out on Sarah . Marrying Clara was the only way to keep her away from Sarah . At least with me , she couldn't hurt Sarah . " My world shattered . The happiness I thought I had and the love I believed in were all an elaborate lie . Two men , protecting the woman they both loved , tricked me like a fool . I turned and ran from the restaurant , tears blinding me . A screech of brakes . Blinding headlights . Then , darkness . " Clara ! Stop daydreaming ! " A chalk piece hit my forehead . I jerked upright and found myself in a high school classroom . My dest the Campus Belle ' list ! " mate Emmett was secretly passing me a photo : " Look ! You made The photo showed me wearing ugly black - framed glasses , my hair deliberately styled frumpily , and my expression was stuff This was my senior - year disguise , the awkward look I'd adopted to catchy Carson's attention . He'd once said he didn't like shallow , pretty girls 2/3 55 vouchers P Chapter 1 My fingers trembled as I touched my face , confirming the presence of those hideous frames . At the front of the classroom , the teacher was reviewing practice SAT questions . The date on the board read : March 15 , 2013 . I'd traveled back , eight years into the past . Under everyone's stunned gazes , I took off the glasses , undid my ponytail , and let my hair fall freely . " Oh my god , Clara ... " Emmett gaped . I turned to the window . Sunshine streamed in . This time , I wouldn't waste my life on anyone . 3/3