Chapter 1

My intern, Chloe Jenkins, used a ghost-mirroring hack on my bank account. No matter how much money I saved, my balance would always magically drop to exactly $50.

In my past life, my ultimate dream was to buy a condo near our office in Manhattan.

I worked myself to the bone until I finally saved up $50,000 for the down payment.

But when I swiped my card at the leasing office, the sales agent gave me a pitying look. "Declined. Insufficient funds."

I checked my transaction history, argued with the bank, and even went to the police. But everyone treated me like I was insane.

Because on paper, my bank statement showed every single purchase clear as day.

But I had never made those luxury purchases! I was living on instant ramen!

I called my parents back in Ohio, sobbing, only to get a cold scolding in return.

"Ava, are you seriously making up stories to cover up your reckless spending?"

"What a ridiculous lie! If you need money, just ask. You don’t have to invent a sci-fi conspiracy theory."

When I told my colleagues, some of the toxic male agents in our office looked at my statements and started snickering.

"Wow, Ava spends thousands at high-end hotel bars at 2 AM. That’s exactly what it costs to hire a hot male escort for the night!"

No matter how much I explained, the gossip only grew.

I posted my story anonymously on Twitter, but the comments ridiculed me, calling me a clout-chaser trying to set up a scam.

Only one anonymous user left a serious comment: "Watch the people around you. See if anyone’s lifestyle matches your leaked bills."

I started watching. Sure enough, I noticed our new intern, Chloe Jenkins. Every time she bought something, a notification popped up on my phone showing a deduction of the exact same amount.

Even when she ordered a Starbucks drink, my card was charged instantly.

Once I was sure, I confronted her. She just laughed in my face, calling me a crazy, broke loser who was jealous of her lifestyle.

She even rallied the rest of the office against me, painting me as a manic stalker, and successfully had me committed to a psychiatric facility.

I spent two agonizing years in that mental ward. Unable to take the torture anymore, I finally found a chance to escape and threw myself into the Hudson River.

But when I opened my eyes again... I was back. Back to the day before I was supposed to sign the papers for my new condo.