Reborn: I Won't Change Her Fate Anymore

"Mom, I don't want to get married. I want to go to college and make something of myself.""You know nothing! For a woman, finding a husband is all that matters!"A familiar sob echoed in my ears, followed closely by the sharp crack of a slap.I forced my eyes open just in time to see Mom striking my sister Rachael Booth across the face. It was the exact same scene I had witnessed in my previous life.Dad was puffing on his pipe nearby. Noticing me staring, he rapped the pipe hard against my forehead and snapped, "What are you staring at? Help us convince your sister. Nowadays, nothing beats marrying well. You're already a lost cause. Do you want Rachael to end up ruined like you?"His words turned everyone's attention toward me, and my heart missed a beat.Grandma frowned in mild disapproval. Her wrinkled face was filled with worry. "Selena, you're the educated one here. Talk some sense into your parents. Who forces their child to drop out of school just to get married? What will

Mrs. Murray said, "You must have heard that the Hesters are looking for a wife. Listen, you're about to graduate, so don't get fooled. Their heir already has a girlfriend. It's just that his mom is old-fashioned and refuses to accept her."She insists on getting a woman from the countryside, claiming they're easier to manage and better for bearing children. Isn't it obvious she just wants someone she can bully? Mark my words, she won't win against her own son anyway."Her words cleared up all my doubts. Pushing aside my thoughts, I quickly offered a few compliments and hurried home.Mom probably knew about this as well. But she was so used to getting her way that she assumed the Hesters would be no different. Otherwise, she wouldn't have picked Rachael to marry into that family. She would have picked me.Because in this house, I was the most expendable person.Having figured everything out, I forced down the bitterness in my chest, put on a smile, and walked through the front gate

Mom yelled, "Stop acting innocent, you bitch! If you didn't know beforehand, why did you leave so quickly? Why didn't you stop me back then? You're the one with the education in this family."You did this on purpose to ruin Rachael! Listen up, you're going to transfer your degree to Rachael right now, or I swear I'll beat you to death!"A cold laugh escaped my lips.Now that the marriage into the wealthy Hester family had fallen through, they suddenly remembered me again.Under the guise of a debt of gratitude for taking me in, I had slaved away for them for years, all while starving in rags. Even my college tuition had been paid entirely with money I earned from my part-time jobs.What did I actually owe them that made them so shamelessly entitled?But that twisted family didn't care about my feelings.Dad took over the phone next. He didn't yell. Instead, he lowered his voice. "Selena, you've always been a tough kid. You can survive on your own. But Rachael is different. She's

Following the incident, the dean, Professor Justin Newman, came to check on me personally.His eyes were filled with sympathy as he patted my shoulder. "Things will get better. Someday, you'll build your own family and have people who truly love you."He was running out of words to comfort me.I lowered my head, clutching the hem of my shirt as my voice cracked. "Professor Newman, my parents won't just give up. You have to help me."When I looked up, tears streamed down my cheeks.At this college, Professor Newman was the only shield I had left. Mom and Dad had completely lost their mind. It wasn't beneath them to abduct me and force me into a marriage.Taking my safety into account, the faculty collectively decided to temporarily move me into the staff dormitories.Meanwhile, Mom and Dad were lurking outside the women's dorms to dig up information. They spared no expense, buying gifts and trying every trick in the book, terrified that I might suddenly vanish.But their efforts

Rachael was clearly grasping at straws.Refusing to fall into the trap of self-defense, I responded coldly, "Then let him prove it. Let him show everyone the evidence that we slept together!"They had been waiting for me to say exactly that. Luke eagerly fished a piece of clothing out of his pocket. It was my underwear.Mom and Dad really had spared no expense in setting this up. Too bad clothes couldn't talk. It proved absolutely nothing.I shot back, "And how do we know that isn't Rachael's? You honestly expect me to marry him based on a piece of fabric?"For all we know, Rachael's the one sleeping around with him, and you're just trying to pin it on me. It wouldn't be the first time you tried to force her messes onto me. Just last week, you tried to make me hand my degree over to her!"My words were sharp and dripping with venom.Rachael flew into a frenzy, lunging forward to claw at my face. "What the hell are you talking about? I'll rip your tongue out!"Her explosive re