Chapter 6

Did they seriously expect me to play nanny for them again like I did in my previous life? They could dream on.

With that thought, I rushed forward and slapped Vivian hard across the face right in front of Zachary. I stared at them coldly. "Remember this. This is what I actually did."

The slap, fuelled by sheer anger, made Vivian's cheek swell instantly. She shook uncontrollably from the pain.

"Natalie!" Zachary shouted, his voice thick with disbelief and fury. "How dare you? You can't even be bothered to pretend in front of me anymore, can you?"

I took a deep breath, my tone steady. "When was I pretending? I simply hit someone openly, right in front of you. Since I'm going to be framed anyway, I might as well make it real."

I bent down and picked up my backpack. After brushing the dust off, I slung it over my shoulder. "Zachary, take Vivian and stay far away from me."

I looked him straight in the eye and enunciated each word, "Just looking at the two of you makes me sick."

As soon as I finished speaking, I turned around and walked away.

Standing behind me, Zachary completely lost his temper. "If you've got the guts, don't contact me again. When we get to Prestwick University, don't expect me to care about you."

Who cared? I ignored him.

The people around us silently parted to make way. They stared at me, a strange mix of emotions in their eyes, but I paid them no attention.

From that day on, my relationship with Zachary became noticeably strained. Even though we were in the same class, I treated him as if he didn't exist.

He made several attempts to talk to me, but I ignored him each time. When he tried to make peace with a cinnamon roll, I threw it into the trash in front of everyone.

The confusion and irritation in his eyes deepened, and eventually, he began ignoring me as well.

Yet none of that mattered to me anymore.

The SATs finally came to an end. I walked out of the exam hall into bright sunlight.

I took a deep breath. Mom and Dad were waiting outside, their smiles proud and relaxed.

Mom wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "How did it go?"

"Pretty well."

I smiled as I spoke, though all I could think about was my application to study abroad.

Even before the SATs, I had already received an offer from a university in Norell. Once my SAT scores were submitted, I would receive the official notice and head to Norell to begin my studies.

"That's great. Let's go home. I made all your favorite food!" Mom said.

After returning home, I began packing and preparing to leave the country.