Reborn with My Bestie

The neighborhood that had been buzzing with life went awkwardly still when my best friend, Rachel Croft, and I clung to each other and began to wail that we wanted to break off our engagements.

The guests began whispering; their tones and glances all said the same thing—we'd lost our minds.

Everyone knew that the Stark twins were golden prospects. Had our families not arranged the matches years ago, every eligible girl in the neighborhood would have shoved and jostled to marry into the Stark household.

But as I held Rachel, both of us felt only the stunned relief of being reborn. To everyone else, the Stark family was a prize, but to us it was a pit of fire, a place we must not jump into again.

This time around, Ned and Robbie Stark could marry whomever they liked, as long as it wasn't us!

The Stark brothers had not expected our on-the-spot renunciation. Their faces went a leaden gray with anger.

Robbie stood there in his white shirt, fragile-looking and bookish, his arched brows knotting tight.

"Mary," he said, "marriage is a lifetime decision. There are so many people watching. Don't make a scene. The feast is about to start.

"You want to back out now? All because I tutored Scarlett on a few problems before the exams? Must you fuss over every little thing?"

I let out a cold laugh. If he hadn't brought it up, I might have nearly forgotten myself. Before the exams, Robbie had offered to help me study. But each time I went to his house, he would look apologetic and say, "I need to check on Scarlett," and then vanish.

He told me—back then—that Scarlett's grades were worse than mine and that she needed him more. Decades later, after too much drink loosened his tongue, I learned the truth: Scarlett had begged him not to let me outperform her. He devised that ploy to delay me.

And when I still got into university in the end, he hatched a crueler plan—he stole my admission letter so Scarlett could take my place.

What had I done to deserve such calculation? Because I admired Robbie? Because I studied harder than Scarlett? My bright future was snatched away by a despicable guy and a shameless woman.

That thought burned through me now.

"Fine," I said. "If you want to talk about 'fuss,' let's start at the beginning. Did you ever think what you did cost me? You called me over to 'tutor' me, but you repeatedly bailed on me last minute when Scarlett beckoned. How much of my time did you waste? Don't use the excuse that her grades are worse and she needs you more. Her future is important, so is mine!"

In my last life, I swallowed these words for the sake of Robbie's feelings. I didn't want to upset him.

Because I covered for him, people mocked me. "She studied every day and still performed poorly."

Not this time. I would not hide his deceit.

My accusation landed like a gavel. The neighbors' chatter died; their eyes, which had been full of gossip, now regarded Robbie with puzzlement. After all, I was his betrothed—my study time was precious—how could he do this to me?

Robbie had no answer. His face flushed, and with evident reluctance, he muttered an apology. "I didn't think it through, Mary. I'm sorry. But marriage isn't a joke. Your results aren't even out yet—how can you condemn me over something like this?"

I was about to refuse the marriage outright when a force behind me shoved. I nearly toppled into Robbie's arms, and when I turned, I found my parents standing there, their faces full of disapproval.

"Mary, tantrums are fine in small doses, but don't get carried away. Don't let people think we've spoiled you," my mother scolded.

"Yes," my father added. "Don't be so picky. If you pass up a fine young man like Robbie, you'll regret it."

Hearing that from my own parents twisted a blade in my chest.

In my last life, when my pride still hadn't been completely ground down, I had once thought of divorce. My parents had berated me mercilessly for even entertaining the idea. They said I was ungrateful for what I had, that every woman had to go through the same trials, and if I only played the good wife and mother, my husband and children would return.

After that, I never mentioned divorce again.

But why—why must my only chance at a good life depend on Robbie? Couldn't I have a life of my own?

"I don't want to marry him," I said. "If you like him so much, then you go marry him yourselves!"

I turned to leave. My parents exchanged a glance and each grabbed an arm, holding me fast.

"We won't allow your defiance at a moment like this! So many guests are here. Whether you want this marriage or not, it will happen today."

"We're sorry to embarrass you, in-laws," my father said to the Stark family. "Mary is going through a rebellious phase. Lock her up if you must."