Chapter 3

A flicker of sadness crossed Bella's eyes. They had once been inseparable, yet in her last life, the deepest wounds she carried had come from them. She still had no idea how they had ended up falling for Tessa, but it didn't matter anymore. Everything had already happened, and the past could never be reclaimed. Dwelling on the reasons was pointless. She pulled out of their arms, her voice steady and calm. "I went on a graduation trip." "Why did you go by yourself?" Sebastian frowned at her answer, while Ronald shot her a look full of disapproval. "Aren't you afraid of getting lost? Didn't we say the four of us would go together?" Hearing how naturally they included Tessa, Bella kept her expression neutral. "We said the three of us." Sebastian froze, as if just realizing something. "Do you not like Tess? If that's the case, we'll keep our distance from her, okay? "I only took care of her because the four of us were going to the same college. If you don't like it, we won't spend as much time with her. You're the one who matters most to me." If she hadn't returned with her memories, that might have moved her. But now, she simply walked past them toward her room. "I'm going to drop off my luggage." Seeing her leave, Sebastian and Ronald quickly followed after her. "Our class is having a barbecue by the beach today. Let's go together." Her trip to Northfield College was far away, thousands of miles, with little chance of running into them again. She thought it would be a good opportunity to say a proper goodbye to her friends, so she agreed. Almost everyone showed up at the gathering, including Tessa. Apparently, Bella's sudden solo trip had alarmed Sebastian and Ronald, who steered clear of Tessa entirely. They didn't even greet her and stayed glued to Bella instead, handing her food, blocking the sun for her, making everyone tease them for being so sweet and devoted. At one point, Bella went to the restroom nearby. When she stepped back out, she caught sight of a scene that stopped her cold. Sebastian, the popular guy everyone admired, and Ronald, the untouchable rebel who feared nothing, were both standing there with their heads down, holding Tessa's hands like obedient puppies, silently begging her not to send them away. "Please don't make us chase Bella anymore. We can't keep pretending. Every second with her is torture. The one we like is you. Why can't we stay by your side?" Tessa stood between them with a flash of satisfaction in her eyes that was almost impossible to notice. But after hearing what they said, she didn't soften like they wanted. "No. I said it already. If you don't chase Bella, I'll disappear from your lives forever." The moment she said that, both Sebastian and Ronald panicked. They rushed to reassure her. "We'll chase her. No matter what, we'll win her over. "How's our performance today? If we did well, can we get a reward?" Tessa smiled and lifted her hand just a little. The two of them immediately wrapped her in a tight hug, like she was the most precious thing in the world. Bella couldn't stand another second of it. She turned and walked back to the gathering from another direction. Soon after, Sebastian and Ronald returned one after the other. They went straight to her, handing her drinks when she was thirsty, food when she was hungry, and their jacket when she felt cold, spoiling her to the heavens. A classmate asked curiously after watching their interaction, "You've got the school heartthrob and the untouchable rebel both chasing you, Bella. Who are you going to choose?" Hearing that, Sebastian and Ronald stepped closer, eyes glinting with anticipation. "You never answered us that day. Do you have an answer now?" Tessa arrived just in time to hear that, a mocking glint flashing in her gaze. Remembering what she saw moments ago, Bella's eyes darkened slightly. She didn't answer the question directly. "I'll tell you on the first day of school." "We'll be looking forward to that day!" Tessa's voice suddenly sounded behind them, heavy with insinuation, and she grabbed Bella's hand excitedly. "Bella, the shells here are so pretty. Let's go collect some to take home." Bella frowned and was about to refuse, but Tessa pulled her along. The farther they walked, the more Bella's unease grew. She yanked her hand free and scowled. "Aren't we collecting shells? Why are we going so far?" "There are more over here." Tessa smiled innocently and leaned closer, pretending to be curious. "Bella, why do you have to wait until school starts to give an answer? I'm really curious. Can't you tell me now?" "No." Bella's tone was cold as she rejected Tessa without hesitation. Tessa pretended not to notice and kept going. "You can't decide yet, right? Do you want me to help? I can tell you who loves you more." A sudden bad feeling shot through Bella. She frowned and was about to say she didn't need help when a sharp pain exploded at the top of her head. Instinctively, she turned around and saw Tessa holding a fist-sized rock, grinning smugly. The next second, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness completely.