Chapter 3

The next day, Erica locked Mom in her room. To keep her from getting out, Erica refused even to open the door to bring her food or water. She simply left Mom there.

Mom was left with Erica's sickly, frail body. After barely a day, she could no longer endure it.

She clawed at the door and begged, "I won't change my mind. I swear I won't undo the swap. Just let me out, okay? I haven't eaten or had any water all day. If this goes on, I'll die…"

Yet, Erica didn't budge. A cruel smile spread across her face as she retorted, "You won't die. Bianca went four days without food when she was stuck in that wheelchair, and she survived just fine. I'm sure you can too."

At that moment, all hope left Mom.

By the second day, she no longer had the strength to scream. No one knew whether she was alive or dead.

Meanwhile, Erica took Mom's card and spent the next couple of days shopping nonstop. She bought all the pretty clothes and dresses she'd never been able to wear before, trying them on one after another in front of the mirror.

…

Three days later, I told them the time limit for undoing the exchange had passed. Only then did Erica finally unlock the door.

Inside the room, Mom had already collapsed and was barely clinging to life. She was rushed to the hospital, where she stayed for over two weeks before finally being discharged.

But that was just the beginning of her suffering.

With half her face now a grotesque patch of burn scars and a permanent limp, Mom was fired from her job.

As for Erica, after she recovered, she spent her days running wild and spending money like it was nothing. Before long, she had drained every cent of our family's savings.

To support her, Mom had to work multiple low-paying jobs. By day, she washed dishes in restaurant kitchens, and at night, she worked part-time as a cleaner.

In less than a month, she had wasted away until she was little more than skin and bones. Everything she was going through now was exactly what I had endured in my previous life.

This time, though, they still needed my swapping system. So, they didn't dare abuse me anymore.

…

I was able to spend all three years of high school in peace, right up until the SAT ended. That day also happened to be the end of the three-year limit.

The moment I arrived home, Mom and Erica both rushed toward me.

"Quick! Swap these disgusting scars onto yourself!"

"Give me your SAT scores!"

They spoke at the exact same time.

Mom's eyes widened in annoyance as she turned to Erica. "Sweetheart, didn't we agree this time would be my turn?"

Erica rolled her eyes, completely unapologetic.

"You already waited three years. Can't you wait another three? The SAT determines my future! Are you seriously going to watch me fail to get into university?"

Over the past three years, she had done nothing but live for fun—skipping classes and messing around with different guys. From the very beginning, she had planned to swap scores with me.

"But…" Uncertainty flickered in Mom's eyes. "You know these past few years haven't been easy for me either. I can't find decent work. People stare at me when I go out. They laugh at me, look down on me…"

"So, you're saying your face matters more than my future?" Erica asked in a sharp voice. "Don't forget who ruined me! If I can't get into a university, I'll end my life!"

In the past, Mom always gave in the moment those words left Erica's mouth. But for the first time, she hesitated.

Erica's anger only intensified. She spun around, grabbed a knife from the table, and tried to stab herself.

"No!"

Mom lunged forward and grabbed Erica's wrist. In the end, she had no choice but to give in again.

Without missing a beat, Erica shot me a smug look and urged, "Hurry up! Let's swap scores!"

"But…" I began, looking hesitant.

Erica glared at me. "You're not refusing, are you? How can you be so selfish? Your grades are amazing anyway. If I take your score, you can just repeat the year."

Mom chimed in, "I raised you for years. If you can't even do this much for your sister, then you're no daughter of mine!"

"Alright then…"

I had no choice but to give in and choose the swap.

For three years, I had ranked first in the entire school. Erica had faith in my grades and happily began choosing prestigious universities.

On the day the results came out, Erica logged into the portal, only to see no score listed.