Chapter 4

During the one-week Fall Break, Maddy, Hailey, and I planned to work part-time jobs.

Jessica was too unstable. In our past life, she poisoned us just because we tried to protect her. In this life, who knew what could trigger her?

We needed to make some preparations before she completely lost her mind.

Even though our part-time wages wouldn't cover renting an apartment off-campus, having extra cash on hand always made us feel safer.

Meanwhile, Jessica spent her break going to a private clinic to confirm her pregnancy and plotting how to make Cole take responsibility.

Once Fall Break ended, campus life returned to normal. But for Jessica, a new war had just begun.

Before the sun was even up, I was woken by Jessica’s voice on the phone.

I listened with my eyes closed, half-asleep. I heard her sweet, cooing voice: "...Yeah, of course it's yours. You're the only one I've been with... The baby needs a father..."

We found out later that she had literally cornered Cole on campus.

In the afternoon, Jessica returned to the dorm, a smug, hollow smile plastered on her face.

The three of us had just dragged ourselves back from the library, completely exhausted.

Jessica looked at us, her lips curling into a sneer. "Weren't you guys too good for my way of life? Look at you now, looking like half-dead dogs."

"My instincts are always right. Maddy, Hailey, Chloe—don't say I never gave you a chance. If you apologize and help me out now, I'll make sure you're taken care of when I become the lady of the house."

Hailey collapsed into her chair. "Yeah, well, we don't have the luck to enjoy that kind of life."

Maddy sprawled on her bed, her eyes full of exhaustion, but she forced a smile. "Oh, I'm sure your 'blessings' are coming right up."

Jessica looked at me. I just shook my head and whispered, "Congratulations."

Jessica began acting like she was already the "Mafia Queen," even though Cole hadn't publicly acknowledged her at all.

She walked around with an exaggerated waddle, as if she were a delicate, high-society pregnant woman.

Her eyes would sweep over the three of us with a look that clearly said, *“Look at you poor, average students. That's what you get for not following my lead.”*

As the midterm season approached, our academic load got incredibly heavy. We spent every waking hour in classes or the library.

Hailey even complained that she didn't have the energy to climb up to her top bunk.

Jessica lay on her bed, scrolling through her phone, watching us with a mocking smile. "I thought you guys loved studying so much. Why do you look like you're dying already?"

"My man is so generous. Even though we're keeping it low-key for now, just wait... Maddy, Hailey, Chloe, don't say I didn't offer you a ticket out of this."

Hailey groaned from her chair, "We really can't handle that kind of luxury."

Maddy lay on her bed, eyes filled with despair, but muttered, "Let the storm rage on."

Jessica looked at me, and I shook my head. "No, thanks, Jess."