Chapter 1

"The math tournament has three different sections and will take place over three days," the homeroom teacher, Daniel Potts, explained. "Each section's scores will be tallied on the same day. I urge all participants to prepare accordingly."

My eyes widened at Mr. Potts' words.

Math tournament? Could he be talking about the same math tournament that eventually tore my family apart?

Didn't I already live through that nightmare?

Only when I looked at the date on the screen did I realize that I had been reborn.

I had been sent back to the day before the math tournament, which meant that I had a chance to change my tragic fate.

Before I was able to snap back to my senses, Alyssa Ford's grating voice sounded in my ears, taking on a provocative edge. "Stop daydreaming, Clara Toland. A country bumpkin from the sticks like you will never surpass me no matter how hard you try.

"I'm going to score 20 more points than you in each section of the tournament. You're destined to be trampled under my feet. The champion of the math tournament can only be me. Just wait and see if you don't believe me."

I shuddered violently as sweat drenched the back of my shirt.

Alyssa was childhood friends with my boyfriend, Glen Redfield. She held a grudge against me because she believed I stole him from her, and she would cause trouble for me every now and then. She even specifically asked Mr. Potts to change her seat, so that she could sit between Glen and me.

In my past life, Alyssa always scored 20 more points than me no matter which competition we participated in.

I refused to back down in the face of her blatant provocations. I was a math genius, after all. I knew that as long as I performed like I always did, it would be impossible for her to beat me.

I didn't expect her to actually score 20 more points than me after the scores of the first day were tallied.

Alyssa just jutted her chin out and looked down at me, sneering, "I told you I would score 20 more points than you even in this math tournament. You're going to have a hard time if you refuse to accept the truth."

I was shocked, but I refused to believe that Alyssa could somehow predict the future since the tournament was conducted in a fair manner. Thus, I convinced myself that perhaps she had secretly studied as hard as she could during the time leading up to the tournament.

I dedicated all my attention to the tournament the next day, clearing my mind of all other thoughts except for the questions.

However, reality dealt a harsh blow to me when the scores were revealed that afternoon.

Alyssa had once again scored exactly 20 more points than me—no more and no less. She sighed and said, "I already gave you a reminder, but you insisted on being stubborn until the very end.

"I heard that you desperately need the reward money to pay your parents' medical bills. Why don't you beg me? Perhaps I might feel generous enough to spare a dollar or two for you."

I couldn't deny that I felt a little hopeless at that moment.

However, for the sake of paying Mom's and Dad's medical bills, I still had to do the best that I could.

The questions on the third day of the math tournament were significantly more difficult than the first two days, but I was still able to perform as I always did.

I was convinced that I would be able to make up the 40-point difference between Alyssa and me and turn the tide.

I had a complete mental breakdown when I saw Alyssa's and my scores for the third day.

Alyssa had still scored exactly 20 more points than me.

Since I had failed to become the champion of the math tournament, naturally, I also failed to obtain the prize money that the school had promised me beforehand.

Mom and Dad ended up passing away from cancer because I couldn't afford to pay for their surgeries.

Alyssa's mocking voice echoed in my ears.

"I already told you that I'll definitely score 20 more points than you in every competition. You're the one who refused to believe me and pinned all your hopes on the prize money. You're the only one to blame for your parents' deaths, Clara!"

Her words haunted me like a curse.

In the end, I caved under the immense pressure and ended my own life.

Even as I took my last breath, I still couldn't figure out how Alyssa managed to score 20 more points than me no matter how hard I tried during the math tournament.

Now that I had been given another chance at life, I was determined to find out the truth.