Chapter 1

Nathan Caulfield looked as handsome as before, still carrying the scholarly air I had been utterly infatuated with for four whole years in my previous life.

He had his head down as he scrolled on his phone and grumbled, "Kimmy, I know that this prep course is really pricey. But as long as I get it, the money you spent will all be worth it.

"As you know, my family isn't well-off. If things work out this time, I will return all the money to you, and I promise I will repay your kindness in the future."

He'd return the money to me and repay my kindness? In my past life, I believed he would. So, I gave up my guaranteed spot at graduate school and worked three part-time jobs to cover our rental and living expenses.

I also helped him register for the prep course that was said to guarantee success in the civil service exam. While he did practice questions in the comfort of the air conditioning at our rented place, I was out there, giving out flyers until I collapsed from the heat.

The day his appointment was finalized, I excitedly bought food and drinks to celebrate his success. I called him, only to find that he had blocked my number.

I rushed to his office, and there I saw him with his arms around the government official's daughter, chatting away happily with her as they got into an Audi. I dashed over, demanding an explanation.

He pulled me aside and said, "Don't make such a fuss, Kimberly Lambert. As adults, we know that it's all about mutual benefit. You treat me really well, but you're just a nanny at most. As for Mr. Lynch's daughter, she'd be able to save me 20 years of hard work."

That day, my heart seized with such agonizing pain that I collapsed right there on the side of the road, taking my very last breath.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to this very moment.

"Kimberly? Where's the card?"

Nathan's impatient tone interrupted my train of thought. "Why are you spacing out? Hurry up. There are so many people in line. This is my best chance to change my fate."

As I watched how he took me for granted, my stomach churned. I wanted to throw up. I tucked the bank card back into my pocket. "Forget it. We're not paying for it anymore."

Nathan was stunned, probably because he had never seen me reject him. After all, I was ever so compliant with him before.

He let out a laugh, thinking I was just pulling his leg. "Oh, cut it out. You've already gathered all the funds, and you were all about supporting my dreams yesterday. Why, are you feeling stingy now?"

"Yeah, I am," I replied in a calm voice. "I thought about it, and I think there's a lot I can do with 50 thousand dollars. Why should I give that money to you?"

Nathan's face fell instantly. He grabbed me by the wrist, dragging me out of the bank forcefully.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Kimberly? You promised to give me the money! You gave up your spot at graduate school and decided to give me your full support while I take the civil service exam and secure a job. So what is this nonsense now?"

"I've decided not to give up my spot at graduate school."

I massaged my reddened wrist, feeling a wave of annoyance wash over me. "Let's break up, Nathan."

It took a while for Nathan to react. Then, he gave a mocking laugh. "Wow, Kimberly. Getting bold now, are we? Is it because you feel neglected because of how stressed I have been recently, preparing for the exam? So, you're now playing hard to get with me? Well, guess what? This tactic doesn't work on me."

He extended his arm to stroke my cheek, but I tilted my head and avoided his touch.

"I'm being serious," I said, taking a step back to distance myself from him.

"There's no way I'm giving you this money. I will meet with my advisor to put in a request to have my spot reinstated. It's over for us now, Nathan."

"It's over?"

Nathan let out an exasperated laugh. "Kimberly, you need a reality check. We have been dating since our freshman year. I lived like a pauper back then, saving every penny and even taking out a loan to rent a place for us. Don't you know how much I've sacrificed?"

His words almost made me laugh in his face. Who was the one who had to live like a pauper?

When he pursued me back in our freshman year, he followed me around like a devoted, attention-seeking puppy, playing the part of a generous gentleman.

After he won me over, he showed his true colors. All the expenses were mine to bear. I even paid off the loan he took out in the beginning.

In my previous life, I couldn't even bear to shop for new clothes, all so that I could save up to buy his study materials.

Whenever he gave me even the slightest smile, I'd feel overwhelmingly grateful. But if he so much as furrowed his brow, I'd be consumed by anxiety.

"Let's just say I fed a stray dog, but it bit the hand that fed it. So now, I'm abandoning the dog," I said, staring at him coldly.

Nathan was clearly livid. "Fine. Good on you, Kimberly! If you want to break up, reimburse me for every cent I ever spent on you all these years. I won't accept a penny less!"

That was just so typical of Nathan, being so shamelessly calculative.

"Get your facts right, will you? You've never spent a single cent, other than when you were pursuing me at first."

I thought that'd make him diffident, but to my disbelief, he actually doubled down. "The money you spent was traded for my affection. That makes us even. But now that you're dumping me, the money I've spent was for nothing.

"You are the one initiating the breakup, so you have to reimburse me every single penny I spent and compensate me for four years of my youth."

I was so infuriated that I couldn't find the words to say.

"It's not too late for you to take it back now. Go and pay the fee for the civil service exam preparatory course right now, then go get a suit for me while you're at it. Then, I will forgive your little tantrum and pretend like nothing happened."

Wow, was he being smug right now? He hadn't even sat for his civil service exam, yet he was thinking about the suit he'd wear for his interview?

I rolled my eyes at him. After gathering my thoughts, I exploded, "You are just an asshole, you motherfucker. You're a bastard, a gold-digging peasant! Even the clothes you're wearing right now—I paid for them! How dare you have the gall to ask me for money? Just go to hell!"

Nathan stood there stiffly, clearly blindsided by my outburst.

"I'll consider that my past sacrifices have just gone down the drain. I'll write them off as sunk costs. From now on, if you dare to pester me further, I'll hire an attorney and take you to court for blackmail and extortion.

"Every single payment I've made all these years is clearly recorded on WhatsApp. If things get to that point, I'll be the one making you reimburse me."

Upon saying that, I turned and walked away without looking back.

When he dumped me in my previous life, I cried and begged him not to leave. Now that I was giving up on him in this life, I actually felt absolutely relieved.

When I returned to college, the advisor said to me, "Oh, Kimberly. Your graduate school waiver form has already been submitted, and the spot has been offered to the next person in line. It's going to be difficult for you to get the spot back now."

The one next in line happened to be Nathan's first love and Director Lynch's daughter, Cordelia Lynch.