Chapter 6 On the eve of graduation , our teacher , Brayden , asked me to organize the class archives . The empty classroom was bathed in golden afternoon light , dust motes swirling over piles of yearbooks and photo albums . I flipped through memories of our final year . 55 vouchers Sports day , the arts festival , and spring outing . I realized how much I'd missed in my past life . Back then , my obsession with Carson had cast everything in gray . Now , I saw the joy I'd ignored . A group photo slipped from the album . I picked it up . It was last year's student council inauguration . Carson , as the new president , stood center - stage . Jeremiah , the vice president , loomed beside him , and Sarah , head of the arts committee , leaned into Carson with practiced coyness . Then I noticed it . In the corner of the photo , Sarah's pinky finger was subtly hooked around Jeremiah's . A tiny touch , invisible unless one knew to look . " Weird ..." I frowned , pulling the photo closer . Their body language was off . The tilt of their heads , the mirrored curve of their smiles . Too synchronized for coincidence . Frantically , I dug through more photos . Behind the stage at the school festival , I struck gold . Sarah was clinging to Jeremiah's arm , her cheek pressed to his shoulder . His gaze as he looked down at her was soft . This wasn't just friendship . A suspicion flared . I grabbed my phone and searched the city's business registry . The Collins Group's page loaded . Under Chairman Diego's profile , " Survived by son Carson and nephew Jeremiah . " " Nephew ... " I muttered . My fingers flew . More searches . Deeper dives . A few minutes later , my search led me to a society wedding announcement in the local newspaper . " Margaret , heiress of Evans Group , marries Diego , Vice President of Collins Group ." The accompanying photo showed the newlyweds and a little girl standing beside them . That girl was unmistakably a young Sarah . My phone slipped from my grip , clattering onto the desk . Everything clicked . Jeremiah and Sarah were cousins . It had been an act . In my past life , Jeremiah hadn't just married me to protect Sarah . He'd done it to No wonder Jeremiah had kept me at arm's length , no matter how hard I tried . No wonder Sarah had always " coincidentally " appeared whenever I was with Carson . No wonder Jeremiah's cruelty had intensified " Siblings ? Great . " I sneered , tearing the photo to shreds . I wasn ' My phone buzzed . A text from Em time Sarah felt threatened . Sarah's path to Carson . pawn in their game . I was the fool they'd played for years . you pick your prom dress ? Deadline's TOMORROW ! ] 176 Chapter 6 Oh , right . Prom . 55 vouchers In my past life , I'd chosen a demure sky - blue gown , Carson's " preferred " color , only to spend the night wilted in a corner , watching him twirl Sarah across the dance floor . [ Yes . ] My thumbs flew over the screen : [ Black . Backless . Thigh - high slit . ] Emmett's response was immediate : [ God . You're gonna blow everyone away ! ] I smiled and shut the classroom door . This time , they would all remember Clara . ***** The grand hall shimmered under crystal chandeliers . I paused at the entrance , taking a steadying breath before stepping inside . A hush fell over the crowd the moment I appeared . Hundreds of eyes locked onto me - some wide with awe , others burning with envy . My custom black gown hugged every curve , its daring backless design revealing a graceful spine , while the thigh - high slit teased glimpses of toned legs with every step. My makeup was flawless , bold red lips the only pop of color against the night - dark fabric . " Cla ... Clara ? " Emmett choked out as she hurried over . " You ... you can't just do this to people ! " I smirked , accepting the champagne flute she thrust at me . I scanned the room , instantly marking my targets . Carson was frozen by the dessert table , his drink tilting precariously as he stared at me . Jeremiah was in conversation with teachers , but glancing my way every few seconds . And Sarah . Oh , Sarah had clearly raided my wardrobe . Her knockoff version of my look from last month's debate finals was almost pitiful . " Clara ! " A flock of underclassmen swarmed me , phones raised . " You're stunning ! Can we take photos ? " I obliged , posing effortlessly . This feeling of being surrounded , adored , was entirely new to me . So this was what it was like to shine . " Clara ! " That low , familiar voice came from behind me . I turned to find Carson standing there . 130 He was dressed in a tailored suit , his hair meticulously styled , reeking of expensive cologne , screaming for attention . " You look ... breathtaking tonight ." His voice was rough . His gaze was so intense it could've scorched through me . " Thank you . " I responded with polite detachment , deliberately angling myself so Sarah , hovering nearby , had a clear view of our exchange . Carson followed my gaze , his brow twitching in disgust . " Ignore her . Lately , she's been copying your style like some pathetic stalker . " Had I heard those words in my past life , I would've been overjoyed . Now ? How rich . The way he disparaged Saral ) was identical to how he'd once spoken about me behind my back , 276 Chapter 6 " Mr. Collins . " I said pointedly , emphasizing the distance between us , " Aren't you going to ask Sarah to dance ? She seems ... eager . " He scoffed . " Her ? She disgusts me now . " He stepped closer . " Clara , dance with me ? " As if on cue , the music shifted into a slow waltz . The invitation I'd once fantasized about now tasted like ash . " Sorry ." I smiled sweetly . " I've already promised this dance to someone else . " His face darkened . " Who ? " I didn't answer . Instead , I turned gracefully and walked toward the restrooms . A glance over my shoulder confirmed my plan was working . Carson was glaring daggers at Sarah , while she stared back , wounded and confused . Perfect . Inside the restroom , I reapplied my lipstick . The door burst open . Sarah stormed in , locking it behind her . " What's your game ? " She shrieked , all pretense of sweetness gone . " Flirting with Carson like that . You did it on purpose , right ? " I took my time recapping my lipstick . " Flirting ? Please . He's the one who can't take his eyes off me . " Her face twisted . " Don't play dumb ! The forum and the party were all you ! " " Proof ? " I arched a brow . " Funny though , that ' TruthSeeker ' account's IP traced back to ... " " Shut up ! " 55 vouchers Sarah suddenly grabbed the vase from the sink and smashed it into the mirror . " You scheming bitch ! Carson is mine ! He's always been mine since we were kids ! " The sound of shattering glass echoed sharply in the small space . Her makeup was smeared with tears , her perfectly styled hair now a wild mess . She looked like a complete lunatic . I watched her meltdown calmly and checked my phone . " The prom just started , and you're already like this ? How are you gonna dance with Carson for the final song later ? " My words cut deep . Sarah snapped her head up , her eyes burning with hatred . " You think you've won ? Jeremiah will never let you get away with this ! " " Oh ? " I feigned surprise . " You and Jeremiah are that close ? Guess cousins really do ha Her face froze . " How did you ... " " Just a guess ." I smiled . " But now I know for sure . " Realizing she'd been tricked , Sarah turned pale . Just then , the bathroom door handle rattled . " Who's in there ? Open up ! " a girl said . a special bond . " 376 P. Chapter 6 B55 vouchers I walked over and unlocked it . Outside stood a few student council girls , staring in shock at the broken glass and Sarah's ruined makeup . " Sarah , are you okay ? " One of the girls asked timidly . Before Sarah could speak , I smoothly cut in , " She accidentally broke the vase . It scared her ." Then I turned to Sarah . " Want me to walk you back to fix your makeup ? " ཁ ང ཟ ཉེ Her glare could've killed me , but in front of the underclassmen , she forced a smile . " No ... I'm fine ." She stumbled out , leaving behind the mess and the confused girls . " Clara , " one whispered , " Sarah's never like this ... " I sighed , turning on my best acting . " She's just stressed . Let's keep this quiet , okay ? She's still your senior ." They nodded , but I knew that by tomorrow , the news of Sarah's breakdown would spread like wildfire . Back in the ballroom , the music pulsed hotter . I stood in the shadows , admiring my masterpiece . Carson was drowning drink after drink , his dark gaze locked on Sarah and Jeremiah swaying at the dance floor's center . Thanks to my " casual " hint . Jeremiah had gone to comfort his " distressed " cousin , and to Carson , it looked like outright betrayal . What a perfect love triangle . I smirked . In my previous life , you all tricked me . This time , I would make you tear each other apart . " Clara . " Jeremiah appeared beside me , having slipped away from Sarah . " Can we talk ? " I followed him to a quieter corner . " What did you do to my sister ? " Jeremiah got straight to the point , his voice barely above a whisper , fury burning in his eyes .. " Sister ? " I pretended to be shocked . " I thought she was your cousin ? " His pupils constricted . " You've been investigating me ? " " Did I need to ? " I chuckled . " You two share the same eyes . Anyone paying attention would notice . " He suddenly grabbed my wrist , his grip painfully tight . " Clara , stay the hell away from Sarah ." " Why ? " I met his glare . " Because you tricked me into a five - year marriage in my previous life ? Or because you tore up Adam's notes ? " Jeremiah recoiled like he'd been burned , " What the hell are you talking about ? " " Nothing . " I rubbed my wrist . Just reminding you . I have proof of your cheating , recordings of your threats , and ... " I leaned in . " Your little plan with Sarah to manipulate Carson . " 4/6 P Chapter 6 That last part was a bluff , but it worked . 。 His face drained of color as he stumbled back , staring at me like I was something monstrous . " The song's about to end . " I smiled sweetly . " Your cousin's looking for you . " Sure enough , Sarah was frantically scanning the crowd for him . With one last dark look , Jeremiah walked away . By the time the prom was winding down , Carson was completely wasted . He staggered up to me , slurring , " Clara ... why ... why don't you love me anymore ? " I stepped back . " You're drunk . " " I'm not ! " He raised his voice , drawing stares . " You used to like me ! Everyone knew ! Why now ... " " Carson . " I said coldly , " You've got the wrong person . I never liked you ." The words hit like a knife . He swayed , rage flashing in his eyes . " You're lying ! You ... " " I what ? " 55 vouchers I cut him off . " Followed you around like a beggar ? Gave up my scholarship for you ? " My voice turned icy . " You just flatter yourself . " His face twisted through shades of red , pale , then sickly green . Suddenly , he whirled around and lunged at Sarah , who was talking to Jeremiah . " Was it you ? Did you turn Clara against me ? " Sarah shrieked . " Carson ! You're hurting me ! " " Let her go ! " Jeremiah took a step and shoved Carson hard . Drunk and off - balance , Carson swung a wild punch . " Who the hell are you to touch Clara ? " Chaos erupted . The two campus heartthrobs , usually all charm and poise , were now brawling like street thugs . Pulling ties , grabbing hair , throwing punches , screaming curses . " Think I don't know your dirty secrets ? " Carson snarled . " Sneaking photos of girls ! Ripping up people's notes ! " Jeremiah shot back . " And you're any better ? How many girls are you stringing along ? Sarah's just one of them ! " Teachers rushed to break it up . Students filmed everything . I lingered at the edge of the crowd , calmly recording the fight , especially the juicy confessions . Nearby , Sarah sobbed , her perfect night in ruins . Then she looked up , her gaze locking onto mine with pure hatred . I raised my champagne glass in a mock toast and drank . Cheers . The show was just beginning . 5/6