Shadowing Practice: A Second Life Without Love - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
My parents used my mental state as the reason and locked me in a psychiatric ward.
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I think Liam's kick had injured me.
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I coughed up blood day and night.
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Again and again, I begged the doctors to call my parents, but they never picked up one.
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Finally, after another round of shock treatment, I stopped breathing, and I saw the rumored soul shock.
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I used all my emotions, my ability to love, in exchange for one chance to be reborn.
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ava come on weren't you always saying you wanted a little sister chloe lifted her pale little face
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and called me in a sweet voice sister
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but i didn't react i turned around
10
and went back to my room everyone was left in the living room exchanging awkward looks
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what's wrong with her now maybe she just isn't used to having a new sister at home yet But it's fine.
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I'll go talk to her later.
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Mom, Dad, does Ava not like me?
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No, no. Ava just has a temper.
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But she's not a bad girl.
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Don't cry.
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Don't be sad.
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I'll talk to her for you later.
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Liam is still the sensible one.
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You have to take good care of your sister.
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I kept drifting into my room.
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Once again, I thought the soundproofing in this packhouse was really terrible.
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I didn't like it.
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It was noisy as hell.
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I simply stood up and started checking my things.
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Too much time had passed, and I could no longer remember what I owned when I was 12.
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Now that I looked carefully, I was rich enough to shock even myself.
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No wonder Chloe loved stealing my things so much.
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Even the grown -up me couldn't help feeling a little jealous.
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I picked up the jewelry on my vanity and shoved it all into my school bag.
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If I didn't take it now, Chloe would soon ask for it in all kinds of ways.
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I looked at the high -quality bracelet in my hand and remembered how Chloe broke it in my last life.
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That was the first time I slapped her.
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She hid behind the door with red eyes, looking scared.
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Ava, I'm sorry.
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I really didn't mean to.
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I've never had anything like this before.
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I just wanted to have a look, and I...
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I dropped it.
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Then she burst into tears and brought my parents and Liam running.
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That was the first time I lost control and hit someone, and also the first time Dad grounded me.
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Chloe clung to Mom's leg, sobbing so hard she almost passed out, but she still found the time to look up and make a face at me.
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I pointed at her and tried to expose her, but the next second, Liam shoved me hard into my room.
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Ava, can't you have a little compassion?
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Chloe has been through enough.
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How can you still bully her?
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It's just one bracelet.
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You have more than you can count.
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What's wrong with letting her have it?
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I clenched my teeth and forced down the sob stuck in my throat.
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Just one bracelet?
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No. That was the birthday gift Liam bought me with the first prize money he ever won from a packed combat tournament.
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But he had forgotten starting that year.
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I never received another birthday gift again.
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Even the dolls, clothes, and jewelry
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that used to be sent to my room all the time they all went to chloe's room instead all
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because she said my classmates laugh at me they say i'm small and skinny and i don't know how to dress
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they say i'm nothing like ava who always looks so pretty
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and put together they say i look like some dirty little
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stray she was lying liam was the one who helped her
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turn the whole class against me he knew he knew better than anyone
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but he didn't defend me he just watched my parents grow more
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and more disappointed in me and watched them favor
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that poor adopted daughter with a tragic past more
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and more by the time i finished packing all my valuables
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there was a soft knock on my bedroom door ava darling
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come out for dinner i didn't answer i just opened the door
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and let her take my hand as we walked to the
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dining room chloe was sitting in my usual seat looking stiff
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and nervous dad and liam were both putting food on her plate i turned to look at my mother
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am i supposed to eat dinner on the floor of course
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not that's my fault i forgot to have another chair brought
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in martha get ava chair ava i'm sorry i didn't know
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this was your seat i i'll give it back to you
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ava it's just a seat chloe just got here don't scare
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her fine you can sit on my left i'll sit between you two is
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that good enough my parents didn't say anything
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and only watched my reaction wasn't
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that just silent approval i gave a cold laugh in my heart really
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so childish this whole family acted like they were on stage
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but their acting was awful it killed my appetite i took the chair from the housekeeper
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and dragged it straight to the far end of the table away from all of them liam's hand paused
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while he was putting food on chloe's plate he looked like he wanted to say something several times
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but in the end he said nothing the meal ended in
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that strange silence but
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when i stood up to go upstairs dad stopped me again dad looked a little awkward then forced a smile.
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Ava, Chloe is a year younger than you and Liam.
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You two are her brother and sister, so you should give her more space.
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She just lost her parents and has been through a lot.
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We are her family now.
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We should take better care of her.
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That's right.
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I know you may not be used to having a younger sister yet, but look how lovely Chloe is.
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Spend more time with her, and you'll become close very soon.
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They kept shooting looks at each other across the table.
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Clearly, neither of them wanted to be the first to say what came next.
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I was starting to lose patience.
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So? mom froze at the question maybe she had never heard
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me speak to her in such a cold tone before my father took a sip of tea
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and smiled ava chloe just transferred here and she isn't doing well physically
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or emotionally you really don't feel comfortable leaving her alone
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so how about you and liam both repeat a grade
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and go to school with her liam already agreed we're just waiting for you
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i looked at liam he lowered his head
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and didn't dare look at me here we go again it was the same in my last life liam
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and i were already in seventh grade they made us go
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back to sixth grade to keep chloe company a year later
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caleb had already gotten close to chloe he transferred into our class too using the excuse
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that he wanted to take care of me from then on
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they put on little shows in class every day they accused me of bullying chloe
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and made the whole class shut me out great too bad
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i didn't want to play such a stupid game with little
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kids anymore it was a waste of time I tilted my head, my eyes full of confusion.
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Does she need two servants just to go to school?
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Ava, what did you just say?
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I said, since Liam has already volunteered to serve her, there's no need to force me to, right?
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Ava, what are you saying?
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Serve her?
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We just want you to spend more time together and get close sooner.
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I don't have any duty to get close to her.
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Whoever wants to get close to her can go serve her.
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I stared at Liam.
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Then it's settled.
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You can go back to sixth grade, and I'll keep going to seventh.
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We stay out of each other's way.
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I turned and went upstairs.
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Behind me, they comforted Chloe, who was sobbing nonstop.
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After nine that night, Liam knocked on my door.
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Ava, are you asleep?
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What?
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Um, can you open the door?
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No. It went quiet outside for a long time.
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Just when I thought he had left, Liam's voice came again.
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Ava, you're upset, right?
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No. You are.
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Ava, is it because I only paid attention to Chloe today and ignored you?
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I was speechless.
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I really wasn't upset.
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I just didn't care.
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Dealing with them was so boring, it made me sick.
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The Ava Blackwood who would fall into deep depression just because she was ignored had already died alone in a psychiatric ward.
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I let out a breath.
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Really, no. Liam, you can do whatever you want.
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You can get close to whoever you want.
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I don't care, as long as you don't bother me.
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It went quiet outside the door again.
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After a while, his voice carried a trace of helplessness.
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Ava, Chloe really is pitiful.
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Look at her.
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She's so thin and small, and she has such a soft temper and a soft heart.
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I'm really afraid she'll get bullied.
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Ava, I'll go back and stay with her for one year first.
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Once she gets used to it, I'll transfer back to being with you, okay?
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Sure.
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The school was funded by your family anyway, so you could do whatever you wanted.
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I rolled my eyes and packed the last piece of clothing.
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Then I put in my noise -canceling earbuds and lay straight down on the bed.
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Early the next morning, I carried my suitcase and school bag into the living room.
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Everyone froze again.
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I looked up and saw Caleb sitting right beside Chloe.
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The moment he saw me, he quickly stood up.
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Ava, I'm here to take you to school.
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I lowered my eyes and saw Chloe's hand holding his arm.
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You don't need to pick me up anymore.
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Of course, if you want to pick someone else up, suit yourself.
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Why?
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I lifted my chin and motioned for him to look at the suitcase behind me.
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Chairs scraped against the floor, one after another.
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Not only Caleb, but Dad, Mom, and Liam all looked confused.
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Liam stared hard at my suitcase with bloodshot eyes.
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Ava?
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What is that?
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Clothes and some daily necessities.
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And my jewelry.
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I forgot to tell you.
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Starting today, I'm boarding at school.
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Dad walked over with a cold face and half -squatted in front of me.
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Ava?
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You want to board at school?
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Yes.
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Why?
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Is home not good enough?
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Did mom and dad upset you?
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I stayed silent.
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Dad's hand trembled a little as it rested on my hair.
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He hesitated, then turned back to look at Chloe.
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Is it because of Chloe?
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The moment he said that, before I could react, Chloe bit her lip and let out a muffled sob.
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Mom quickly stepped forward and pulled her into her arms, then shot dad a blaming look.
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What are you saying?
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How could it be?
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Ava, tell us yourself.
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Why do you want to board at school?
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It's definitely not because of Chloe.
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You like Chloe, right?
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Everyone looked at me with expectation, waiting for my answer.
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They were waiting for me to say, yes, I liked her.
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That boarding at school was just me being spoiled and unreasonable, and that no one had wronged me.
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But I was always best at disappointing them.
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No, I don't like her.
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I hate her.
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And I don't only hate her.
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I hate mom and dad.
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I hate Liam.
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I hate Caleb.
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I hate all of you.
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In an instant, mom, dad, and Liam went pale.
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Caleb didn't react much.
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He seemed to think I was jealous, throwing a tantrum.
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And his eyes were full of patience and helplessness.
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When I dragged my suitcase past him, he even reached out to take it home.
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I dodged him.
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He didn't get angry and still followed me shamelessly.
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Mom and Dad wanted to chase after me, but Chloe's crying stopped.
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She cried harder and harder.
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Her small face buried in Mom's arms, her whole body shaking.
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Mom, Dad, just send me to an orphanage.
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Ava doesn't like me.
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I don't deserve to stay in this family.
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Of course, Mom and Dad started comforting her again.
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But for some reason, Liam was unusually silent.
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Caleb was still following me closely.
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He forced his way into the car I got into.
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Go take your own car.
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Why?
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I don't want to.
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I want to be with you.
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He tilted his head and looked at me, acting like he had no shame at all.
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I suddenly remembered that it had been like this in my last life too.
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When everyone pushed me away, the only one who hadn't sided with Chloe was Caleb.
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When Chloe framed me, he would stand firmly behind me.
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When Liam scolded me, Caleb would talk back for me.
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When my parents grew more and more disappointed in me, he would hold me and comfort me in a low voice.
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Ava, don't be scared.
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You still have me.
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I'll stay with you.
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If they like Chloe more, that's their business.
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I'll always only like my Ava.
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So I relied on him and trusted him with everything I had.
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Until the day Liam and I turned 14, Chloe suddenly fainted for no reason.
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Before anyone could react, Caleb pushed past me and caught her firmly in his arms.
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The seer he had personally brought stood in front of everyone
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at the birthday party i have seen it the child's name
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bears a curse it devours chloe's life drop by drop
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that is why she sickened what perfect timing for
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that seer to appear
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but my parents still took me to change my name without another word from
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that day on the name i had carried for 14 years
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ava blackwood became a forbidden word in the pack they called
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me grace as in by the grace of moon goddess let chloe live grace sounded nice but i hated it.
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Until the day I died, I hated it.
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I ignored Caleb.
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Sooner or later, he would transfer to Chloe's class anyway.
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I took my forms and boarding fee straight to the dorm supervisor.
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When Caleb saw that I really handed the money over, the careless look on his face finally disappeared.
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It seemed he finally realized that I wasn't throwing a tantrum.
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I truly just wanted to stay as far away from them as possible.
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Ava?
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Why do you hate me too?
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What did I do wrong? his fingers gently tugged at my sleeve
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and his voice was careful he looked nothing like the person
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who would one day wrap his hands around my neck and squeeze
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but those scenes were still too clear in my mind i
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shook his hand off hard i pulled out a tissue
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and wiped my sleeve again
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and again caleb stared blankly at my face ava the moment
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he met my disgusted gaze he finally stopped talking i quickly
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left the hallway then before class started i asked my teacher to transfer me to another class.
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By the end of first period, Caleb still hadn't shown up in class.
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When I carried a tall stack of books past the familiar hallway, I finally saw him standing there with red eyes.
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Caleb looked at the books in my arms, and his eyes grew even more hard.
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He walked toward me in a few quick steps.
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Ava, don't switch classes, okay?
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But the next second, a basketball flew out of class B and hit him right in the head.
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I dodged it quickly with my books in my arms, then turned and walked into the classroom.
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Caleb fell onto the hallway floor.
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A boy in the classroom was still holding the shooting pose.
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Whoops.
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Didn't mean to hit anyone.
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You okay, man?
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I glanced at him.
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Then I carried my books past him.
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Maybe it was just my imagination, but his body seemed to go stiff for a second.
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Then he propped one hand on the edge of a desk, pointed casually at the seat beside him, and spoke in a cocky tone.
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If you go and sit at her back, you'll be sitting by the trash can.
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Want to sit next to me?
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I looked at him, but he quickly looked away.
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Well, the homeroom teacher said last period that a new student was coming, and as class president, I should take care of you.
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As he spoke, he rubbed his face and even rubbed his ears red.
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Class B's class president, Jace Carter, the famous troublemaker.
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The students around me were either laughing at the fallen Caleb or secretly glancing at us.
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I sighed.
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Class B's bad reputation wasn't without reason, but I really didn't want to sit next to Caleb anymore.
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Thanks, but I like sitting by myself.
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I placed my books on the desk in the last row near the corner.
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Jace looked a little annoyed with himself, and his voice turned rushed.
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Hey, don't sit here.
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I'll switch with you.
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I'm taller than you, so I'll block your view of the board.
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Before I could refuse, Caleb rushed in with dust all over his face.
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He slammed one hand down on the books on my desk.
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Ava, come back with me!
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Let go.
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No. Dude, are you acting out some sad romance drama right now?
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She wants to stay in our class.
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What does that have to do with you?
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Someone at the door threw the ball back to Jace.
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He spun the basketball on one finger and looked at Caleb with open provocation.
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Caleb clenched his teeth, then lowered his head to look at me.
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Only then did he realize I had already started arranging my desk.
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Jace clicked his tongue.
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Why are you still here?
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The bell already rang.
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Caleb's hand tightened without him noticing.
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Ava.
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I frowned and said nothing.
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He finally gave up.
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He shot Jace a vicious look, then left while turning back every few steps.
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I let out a breath.
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Thanks.
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Are you talking to me? jace pointed at himself i nodded he suddenly stood up straight
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and threw the basketball into the trash can behind me it
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looked like muscle memory i stared at him in shock not understanding what
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that was supposed to mean then i realized his face had
325
turned even redder reflex you're I couldn't help lowering my head and laughing.
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His movements went even stiffer.
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Jace still switched seats with me, even though I told him again and again.
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It was winter, and the trash was emptied often, so there was no smell.
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But he still firmly made me sit in front.
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You look like the tidy type, and you're a good student.
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How could I let you sit there?
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As if he had made up his mind to be a good class president, he handled everything for me as a transfer student.
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So when the teacher called us into the office and asked if I could help him improve his grades, I hesitated, then nodded.
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School life was dull, but full.
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Relying on the memories from my last life, I had already started quietly teaching myself high school courses.
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To go home less often, I signed up for all kinds of extra classes on weekends.
337
Every school break, I simply enrolled in some overseas camps.
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Besides studying, I also started trying to see more of the world.
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8 in the morning to 10 at night, more disciplined than most working adults.
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At first, mom and dad still came to school every few days to see me.
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Later, when they saw that I was always calm and distant, they came less often.
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Sometimes they called, and it was always about Chloe, who was becoming sweeter and lovelier.
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I didn't answer much, so they would sigh through the phone.
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Ava, we just want you sisters to get along.
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Chloe really misses you.
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Are you still not coming home this week?
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No. I spoke very little and often made the mood awkward.
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I didn't bother to smooth things over.
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I just hung up.
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They always said I was becoming more and more withdrawn.
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Not as likable as when I was little, but I knew.
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It had nothing to do with my personality.
353
Withdrawn, not likable.
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Even when I cried and forced myself to smile, even when I was as pathetic as I had been in my last life, I still wasn't likable.
355
It was like they were destined to hate me, destined to step on my bones while showing off how much they favored Chloe.
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Luckily, I had lost my ability to love, so naturally, my heart no longer hurt because of them.
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Liam, however, still came every day without fail.
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He brought food packed from home and ran between the elementary and middle school campuses.
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Sometimes, Chloe would come with him, panting hard.
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The look she gave me was full of blame.
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Ava, this is exhausting for Liam.
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Why don't you come to our class instead?
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I didn't ask him to come, and I definitely didn't ask you to come.
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I took the food Liam brought and sat down to eat by myself.
365
Chloe bit her lip, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at Liam, but Liam only wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled with patience.
366
It's not hard, Ava.
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I won't only care about Chloe and ignore you.
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If you don't want to go home, then don't.
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The school food isn't good.
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From now on, I'll bring you food from home every day.
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I ignored him, but he didn't get angry.
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Most of the time, he stood quietly with Caleb outside Class B's door.
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When I finished eating, he took the empty lunchbox and ran back to the elementary building.
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Caleb spoke much less now.
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He no longer insisted that I talk to him.
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Most of the time, as soon as class ended, he would run to the window and pretend to glance in my direction by accident.
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I pretended not to see any of it.
378
Days passed like that, one after another, until the day before my 14th birthday.
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Mom and dad showed up at school with Liam, which was rare.
380
When they saw me, both of them seemed to freeze for a second.
381
Mom held my arm with trembling hands and murmured, You've grown taller again.
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You're almost taller than me now.
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Sweetheart, you haven't come home in so long.
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That's right, Ava.
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Your birthday is tomorrow.
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We have already set everything up.
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Will you come home tomorrow?
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As if afraid, I would refuse.
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Liam quickly added, You can invite your classmates and friends too.
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It'll be more fun with more people.
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You didn't come home for your birthday last year.
392
We waited for you all night.
393
Last year.
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Oh, on my birthday last year, I had no idea where Jace heard about it.
395
He dragged the goofballs from our class out and insisted on taking me horseback riding.
396
Ava, can you maybe loosen up a little?
397
I looked at him in confusion.
398
He used two index fingers to pull up the corners of his mouth.
399
It's your birthday.
400
Don't stay so tense all the time.
401
Smile a little.
402
He sat on a tall chestnut horse and turned his head slightly to look at me under the sunlight.
403
I tried to force out a smile.
404
Maybe it looked terrible the light in his eyes dimmed a
405
little ava blackwood happy birthday thank you i sat on the horse
406
and listened to the wind rushing past my ears i realized
407
that the tight heavy feeling in my chest seemed to be loosening a little it wasn't until the next day
408
that i saw the missed calls from the blackwood
409
and the gift boxes liam brought to me big
410
and small i was a little surprised after all i clearly remembered
411
that my 12th birthday had been the last time i received
412
any gift ava come home tomorrow okay liam was still trying to persuade me but when I turned my head, I saw Caleb with Chloe clinging to his arm.
413
That unforgettable renaming scene still made my stomach turn.
414
I frowned without meaning to.
415
Caleb hurriedly pulled his arm away.
416
Ava, I looked for you for a long time.
417
Chloe said you were here, so she brought me over.
418
I - You don't need to tell me.
419
I'm busy tomorrow.
420
I already made plans, so I won't be going home.
421
Ava!
422
I turned and went back to class.
423
Behind me came several shocked and hurt voices.
424
Mom seemed to be crying.
425
When I turned the corner, I heard a heavy sigh.
426
did we do something wrong i only found out much later how chaotic
427
that day became right now i was holding a cake knife
428
and carefully cutting into the cake my classmates had turned off
429
the light in the dim candlelight everyone gathered around me
430
and sang happy birthday ava make a wish i closed my eyes
431
and stayed silent for a few seconds in my heart i
432
repeated it like crazy please moon goddess let me stay far away from those bastards in this life
433
when i opened my eyes again jace was holding a small, delicate box and handing it to me.
434
Ava.
435
Happy birthday.
436
Open.
437
I smiled and opened the box, then froze on the spot.
438
It was a hair clip covered in tiny diamond.
439
The material was good, and it was beautiful.
440
What's wrong?
441
You don't like it?
442
I should have asked you first.
443
That day when I walked you to Tooting, I saw you staring at a hair clip by the street, but that one was too cheap for a gift, so I found one that looked like it.
444
I like it a lot.
445
Thank you.
446
I picked up the hair clip and clipped it into my hair.
447
Thank you.
448
You're welcome as long as you like it it's really pretty
449
yes it's really pretty it was starry night designed by victor a famous jewelry designer
450
when i was 17 i fell in love with it at an auction i thought mom would definitely like it
451
so i raised my paddle with the money i had saved for five
452
or six years but
453
that day no matter how much i bid chloe would add
454
one more dollar like she was doing it on purpose in the end mom paid three million
455
and one dollars for
456
that hair clip at a ridiculous price then put it on
457
chloe's head caleb said you already have everything why do you
458
have to fight chloe for this too everyone told me to
459
be generous chloe even wore it in front of me every day grace
460
if you like it i can give it to you too even though mom bought it for me i feel
461
so bad for you i can let you have it
462
that almost broke something in me after that i became even more crazy
463
but now this little hair clip had come to me three
464
years early i didn't have to be jealous until my face
465
twisted i didn't have to fight until i was bleeding
466
so i was worth having something
467
that belonged only to me thank you thank you all of
468
you really it was strange it felt like my heart dead for
469
so long had finally started beating again from
470
that day on the blackwoods bothered me much less often liam
471
and caleb used to show up every day now stopped appearing
472
for a long time later the class gossip queen told me in a mysterious voice chloe seems to be sick
473
and it's serious she couldn't stand dad mom
474
or liam leaving her side for even a second as long as she woke up and didn't see all three of them, she would break down crying and scream at the top of her lungs.
475
Some classmates went to visit her together and got so scared that they dropped the flowers and ran.
476
I heard your mom mention sending her to a school overseas and she just lost it.
477
They said she even tried to kill herself.
478
She was supposed to stay home because she was unstable, but she wouldn't even let your brother go to school.
479
She forced the whole family to stay with her at the hospital.
480
Even Caleb got grabbed by her and couldn't leave.
481
The Stones seemed to have a huge fight with your parents.
482
This was almost exactly like me in my last life.
483
The more ignored you were, the harder you begged for attention.
484
Crying, screaming, and acting like a lunatic.
485
But she seemed luckier than me.
486
My family tolerated all of it.
487
Still, it had nothing to do with me.
488
I was happy to have peace.
489
While no one disturbed me, I dragged the whole class into studying hard.
490
Anyone who refused got threatened by Jace.
491
Finally, half a year later, I got the whole class into the best high school in
492
the pack for the entire summer break i didn't go back
493
to the pack house once jace invited me to visit his pack that was
494
when i found out his father alpha james's territory was deep in the snow mountains i'd never seen mountains like
495
that before and i begged them to let me try climbing
496
so they took me up a tallest peak in their territory
497
ava drink some hot berry tea to warm you up jace's
498
mom luna esther had met me before over the past three years she had often come to school just to see me.
499
She always hugged me and refused to let go.
500
Ava, you're so cute, so pretty.
501
I like you so much.
502
I'd love for you to be my daughter.
503
I breathed hard and looked at the white mountain ridge in front of me.
504
Jace shook out a blanket and draped it over my shoulders.
505
I turned my head and saw his parents watching us, both smiling warmly.
506
His ears turned red again.
507
I couldn't help smiling.
508
He froze for a second, then smiled his eyes were bright full of joy it made
509
me feel like right here someone's heart was beating just for
510
me i didn't go to the private high school funded by the blackwoods
511
that made liam fall apart although chloe's condition kept getting worse he left her
512
and forced himself to skip a grade becoming a freshman too
513
but he thought i had followed the blackwoods arrangement
514
and gone to our pack school until high school started he
515
and caleb searched the entire freshman list
516
and confirmed i hadn't enrolled at all chloe seemed to make an even bigger scene after
517
that even eighth grade work was hard for her
518
but she still forced dad to put her into the same class as leo caleb fought with the stone family
519
and wanted to transfer schools to follow me but his mother grounded him
520
that ridiculous engagement had already been returned by me as a
521
joke before summer break i gave back the bracelet mrs stone had once personally given me Under her tearful gaze, I bow deeply.
522
Mrs. Stone, please keep your son under control and don't let him keep bothering me.
523
Also, this is the modern world.
524
Arranged marriages are not a thing anymore.
525
Those words made her finally give up on letting him stay close to me.
526
My family still kept calling me every day, but too bad.
527
I blocked them all.
528
I also told the principal in advance that I refused to meet anyone from outside.
529
So for three whole years, I barely saw them at all.
530
Until the day the college entrance exams ended.
531
My parents caught me at the school gate before I could run.
532
Both of them looked more than 10 years older.
533
Mom walked toward me with a careful smile.
534
I took half a step back without thinking.
535
Her movement froze.
536
She covered her mouth and leaned into dad's arms, crying.
537
Dad's eyes filled with tears, too.
538
Ava, I really missed you.
539
Let me hug you, okay?
540
I frowned without meaning to.
541
Every time I had contact with them, my body felt sick.
542
Before, for the sake of going to school in peace, I had forced myself to play along sometimes.
543
But now, I tilted my head and looked at her in confusion.
544
Miss who?
545
Hug who?
546
Me?
547
No way.
548
You already have both a smart, his son, and a daughter at honking and loves his sister.
549
Your daughter is gentle, sweet, and respects her elders.
550
Why would you miss me for no reason?
551
Mom's muffled crying stopped at once.
552
She looked at her head and looked at me in pen.
553
Her whole body started shaking.
554
No, how could you?
555
That wasn't real.
556
It was a dream.
557
That wasn't real.
558
Dad was so scared that he immediately held her tight.
559
Ava, what did you do to your mother?
560
I haven't laid a finger on her, Alpha.
561
If you're trying to frame me, at least pick a better spot.
562
Do you know how many cameras are here?
563
What did you call me?
564
Alpha?
565
Ava Blackwood, is something wrong with your head?
566
Your mom and I came all the way here to pick you up, and this is your attitude?
567
I thought my attitude was fine.
568
At least it was much better than the way they had treated me.
569
I shrugged and took one step back.
570
Goodbye.
571
Stop right there!
572
What, Alpha?
573
Are you going to hit me?
574
You're like this because we spoiled you too much.
575
Fine, I'll teach you a lesson today.
576
His hand lifted, but Mom suddenly went out of screen.
577
No!
578
Don't hit her! So that's why...
579
So that's why you hated me so much.
580
She covered her face, crying but I only felt that I could understand them from my last life a little now.
581
Having a lunatic in the family really was embarrassing.
582
I turned around with a cold face and left.
583
Behind me came Jace's happy shout.
584
Ava!
585
We're over here!
586
He and his parents were waving hard at me.
587
I smiled and ran toward them in big steps.
588
Esther threw the flowers into Jace's arms.
589
She caught me steadily and spun me around once.
590
Good girl.
591
It's finally over, right?
592
Rest for a few days, then we'll head out and climb snow mountains.
593
Yes.
594
Jace took my school bag.
595
I took the ice cream James handed me.
596
We walked toward the distance, talking and laughing.
597
Behind us, my parents froze in place, getting farther and farther away from us.
598
I was having lunch with Jace and his parents.
599
A pack guard said Liam wanted to see me.
600
Jace walked out with me.
601
I hadn't seen Liam for a full year.
602
When I saw him now, I was honestly shocked.
603
He was so thin, so worn down.
604
His face was covered in cuts made by fingernails, almost ruined.
605
The second he saw me, Liam rushed toward me.
606
Jace blocked him.
607
Ava!
608
Ava, please forgive us.
609
Please forgive me.
610
I'm begging you.
611
Come home.
612
Mom's dying.
613
Please.
614
When I returned to the Blackwood house again, I was stunned.
615
The table was broken.
616
The chairs were snapped.
617
The couch had been burned.
618
The spiral staircase was covered in bloody clothes.
619
I covered my mouth and almost threw up.
620
Where's your mom?
621
She's not just my mom.
622
She's our mom, Ava.
623
She isn't.
624
Mom stumbled out of a room.
625
She pulled me into her arms.
626
Ava!
627
My baby!
628
I'm so sorry.
629
I should have never let you go.
630
I should have never let them take you from me.
631
Somehow, Mom regained memories of the past life.
632
She felt extremely guilty towards me and said she regretted adopting Chloe.
633
Chloe heard it.
634
After that, she lost it.
635
She started hurting herself over and over.
636
She would stay awake at night, take a knife, and run into memory.
637
My dad's last wish was for you to take care of me!
638
Have I done something wrong?
639
I love you all!
640
You shouldn't abandon me!
641
Everyone in the Blackwood family was terrified.
642
The whole family watched her even more carefully.
643
Only before, it had been out of pity.
644
And now, it was out of fear.
645
But she still felt unsafe.
646
She began demanding that everyone stay with her daily life.
647
If anyone left, she would scream and claw at anything here.
648
The Blackwoods finally forced Chloe into a psychiatric hospital.
649
Were you raising daughters?
650
Or running some sick survival game? seeing
651
which one earned the right to be loved every girl you raised ends up unstable
652
if you couldn't love two daughters equally why bring another child
653
home her eyes widened tears streamed down her face then as
654
if the last bit of strength had left her body she collapsed to her knees i took jace's hand
655
and left without looking back Behind me, Mom suddenly screamed.
656
Ava!
657
Ava, wait!
658
Ava, please.
659
Just give us one more minute.
660
Move.
661
I remember.
662
I remember kicking you into the roses.
663
I remember you coughing up blood.
664
I remember you begging us to answer your calls.
665
And I remember you were only pretending I'm your brother.
666
I should have protected you, but I was the one who hurt you.
667
Ava, I remember too.
668
I remember the day they took you away.
669
You kept reaching for me.
670
You kept begging me to hold you, but I just stood there.
671
I let them take my own daughter away.
672
I called you crazy.
673
I told you that you were a disgrace to this family me Ava I'm sorry I'm
674
so sorry behind me mom suddenly
675
screamed Ava Ava wait Ava please
676
just give us one more minute move I remember I remember
677
kicking you into the roses I remember you coughing up blood i remember you begging us to answer your calls
678
and i remember you were only pretending i'm your brother i should have protected you
679
but i was the one who hurt you
680
ava i remember too i remember the day they took you away
681
you kept reaching for me you kept begging me to hold you but i just stood there
682
i let them take my own daughter away i called you crazy i told you
683
that you were a disgrace to this family ava i'm sorry i'm
684
so sorry i looked at them quietly in my last life
685
i had wanted this more than anything i wanted them to regret i wanted them to cry
686
the ava who wanted to hear that is already dead
687
no she died in
688
that hospital Ava please she waited for you until the end
689
mom let out a broken sob Liam lowered his head even
690
further neither of them tried to stop me again outside the
691
garden I felt a burning gaze fixed on me I turned around
692
but only saw a limping figure walking away I recognized him
693
almost at once alpha his steps stopped he lowered his head Then, without turning around, he hurried away.
694
Jace was calling me.
695
I turned back.
696
Ava?
697
His figure split into two, and three.
698
No, he wasn't moving.
699
I was.
700
My head felt heavy.
701
I seemed to step into a thick fog.
702
Ava!
703
I wandered through it.
704
But no matter where I went, I couldn't find a way out.
705
Ava?
706
Ava!
707
Was he calling me?
708
But they had already changed my name to Grace.
709
As in, by the grace of Moon Goddess, let Chloe live.
710
Ava, don't scare me!
711
Ava!
712
Who was calling me?
713
There was so much panic in his voice. Who says you're not?
714
You are.
715
You deserve to be loved.
716
Ava.
717
Your real name is Ava.
718
It's beautiful.
719
Way better than Grace.
720
The fog shifted.
721
A hospital room slowly came into view.
722
I found myself sitting on the bed while Jace stood beside me with a bruised face.
723
Ava, don't be scared.
724
If that bastard Caleb comes back, I'll get rid of him again.
725
If he ever grabs your throat or tries anything with you again, I'll beat the hell out of him.
726
Hey, Ava, don't cry.
727
It was only a couple of shocks.
728
I'm tough.
729
It didn't hurt at all.
730
I suddenly coughed hard.
731
Blood spilled from my lips.
732
Jace's smile vanished.
733
ava what's wrong why are you coughing up blood don't scare me wait why do you have
734
so many bruises your brother kicked you what the hell is
735
wrong with him ava no don't close your eyes please stay
736
with me ava ava stay with me ava don't close your eyes please i really i really can't go through this again.
737
Again?
738
Something hit me.
739
The moment I saw Jace, tears rushed down my face.
740
I grabbed his hand.
741
I know now.
742
I remember you.
743
Jace.
744
My Jace.
745
The boy who was the only one who kept calling me Ava.
746
The boy who always stepped in when someone hurt me.
747
All for my sake.
748
Jace was 18 when he was sent to this psychiatric hospital.
749
That day, two caregivers dragged him down the hallway.
750
I watched through the - bars on my window and heard the patients nearby whispering.
751
I heard his pack had him committed.
752
He watched his parents fall off a mountain while trying to save someone.
753
He lost it after that.
754
Started lashing out at anyone who came near him.
755
When he passed my room, he suddenly stopped.
756
Our eyes met across the hallway.
757
He looked like a wolf driven into a corner, all rage and hostility.
758
But behind that rage was something I knew far too well.
759
Despair.
760
The same despair I carried.
761
One of the caregivers shoved him impatiently, and they dragged him into room 14 next door.
762
The metal door slammed shut.
763
A moment later, I heard him throwing himself against it, over and over.
764
He kept shouting something I couldn't quite make out.
765
It sounded like I couldn't grab them.
766
I couldn't, or maybe something else.
767
No one paid any attention.
768
I sat on my bed, listening to the banging through the wall.
769
For the first time, I found myself thinking about the new psycho next door.
770
That night, the room next door stayed noisy for almost an hour.
771
Things crashed.
772
He slammed against the door.
773
Caregivers shouted at him.
774
Then everything went quiet.
775
Only his weak, uneven breathing came through the wall.
776
I knew that feeling.
777
He had probably been restrained until he had no strength left.
778
At dinner, the caregivers slid our trays under the doors.
779
Mine had an extra piece of meat because I'd been cooperative all week.
780
Next door, nothing moved.
781
I hesitated, then pushed my meat and half my bread toward his door while no one was watching.
782
The next day, I saw him sitting alone in the yard.
783
He looked at me.
784
That food last night, was it yours?
785
Why?
786
You hadn't eaten.
787
Being hungry would have made it worse.
788
Thanks.
789
A whistle blew.
790
Outdoor time was over.
791
I'm Jace.
792
What's your name?
793
Grace.
794
She's a good one, unlike you.
795
You hate that name.
796
My name used to be Ava.
797
They changed it to Grace, so I'd remember that I was ruining someone else's life.
798
Ava.
799
Way better than Grace.
800
I'm calling you Ava from now on.
801
That night, the room next door stayed noisy for almost an hour.
802
Things crashed.
803
He slammed against the door.
804
Caregivers shouted at him.
805
Then everything went quiet.
806
Only his weak, uneven breathing came through the wall.
807
I knew that feeling.
808
He had probably been restrained until he had no strength left.
809
At dinner, the caregivers slid our trays under the doors.
810
Mine had an extra piece of meat because I'd been cooperative all week.
811
Next door, nothing moved.
812
I hesitated, then pushed my meat and half my bread toward his door while no one was watching.
813
The next day, I saw him sitting alone in the yard.
814
He looked at me.
815
That food last night, was it yours?
816
Why?
817
You hadn't eaten.
818
Being hungry would have made it worse.
819
Thanks.
820
A whistle blew.
821
Outdoor time is over.
822
I'm Jace.
823
What's your name?
824
Grace.
825
She's a good one, unlike you.
826
You hate that name.
827
My name used to be Ava.
828
They changed it to Grace.
829
So I'd remember that I was ruining someone else's life.
830
Ava.
831
Way better than Grace.
832
I'm calling you Ava from now on.
833
that night i dreamed about my past again mom
834
and dad giving my things to chloe liam's palms striking across
835
my face caleb holding chloe as he kissed her in the garden they all standing behind chloe
836
while they called me crazy i jolted awake with a broken cry shaking all over i grabbed the metal spoon
837
and dragged it hard across my wrist i wasn't trying to die.
838
The noise brought the night caregivers running.
839
The moment the door opened, Jace shoved past the caregiver beside him and ran out barefoot.
840
He snatched the spoon from my hand and graped my wrist to stop the bleeding.
841
You can't do this.
842
You promised me we'd see each other tomorrow.
843
I just stared at him stunned.
844
The caregivers pulled us apart, forcing me back onto the bed as they dragged jace away
845
he shouted with everything he had ava stay alive i'll be
846
waiting for you tomorrow i let out a small tearful laugh
847
for the first time i realized someone truly wanted me to make it to tomorrow visiting day only caleb
848
and chloe came alpha marcus
849
and luna elaine didn't pack business they said apparently visiting their
850
daughter in a psychiatric ward could wait chloe sat across from me with a sweet smile get better soon grace
851
but her eyes were cold.
852
When visiting hours ended, she stood and hooked her arm through Caleb's.
853
Come on, I'm meeting friends.
854
You go ahead, I left something here.
855
Chloe smiled and walked out.
856
The moment the door clicked shut, Caleb's smile disappeared.
857
You've been in here a long time, Grace.
858
Our engagement still stands.
859
Maybe I should take care of my promised man.
860
I shoved at him.
861
His hand suddenly closed around my throat.
862
I grabbed his wrist and tried to pull him off.
863
He leaned closer.
864
I turned my face away.
865
Then, snap.
866
A restraint strap broke outside.
867
The door burst open.
868
Jace came charging in wolf form and slammed Caleb into the wall.
869
The ward alarm went off.
870
Caregivers rushed in with restraint holes and pinned him to the floor.
871
Jace struggled for a few seconds before shifting back into human form.
872
He was choking her!
873
Didn't any of you see that?
874
Afterward, the doctors questioned us separately.
875
I told the doctor exactly what happened, but he looked at me with that familiar kind of pity.
876
Grace, have your hallucinations been getting worse lately?
877
I'm not lying.
878
He grabbed my throat.
879
Look!
880
We'll make a note of it.
881
Just try to calm down for now.
882
On the way back, I saw Caleb talking to another doctor with an innocent expression.
883
The doctor even patted his shoulder, reassuring me.
884
Back in my room, I slid down against the door and laughed through my tears. Of course.
885
I was still the crazy one.
886
Just then, two caregivers passed by with a treatment bed.
887
Room 14 again?
888
Yeah, he attacked a visitor.
889
The director ordered another session.
890
Room 14.
891
Jace.
892
I jumped to my feet and ran toward the treatment room.
893
I slammed against the door twice before a caregiver grabbed me.
894
Let go of me!
895
Then came Jace's muffled groan.
896
I pressed myself against the door.
897
Jace.
898
I pounded on the door.
899
Jace.
900
I sank to the floor, hugging my knees as tears poured down my face it was
901
because of me he was going through this
902
because of me finally the door opened two caregivers helped jace out his face was pale
903
and he could barely stand i rushed over this is all
904
because of me i'm
905
so sorry hey eva don't cry it was only a few shocks i'm tough didn't hurt at all i looked him.
906
My tears only fell harder.
907
I grabbed his hand.
908
Don't ever do that again, okay?
909
Don't put yourself through this because of me.
910
Can't promise that, Ava.
911
If he ever touches you again, I'm still hitting him.
912
I froze.
913
No one had ever protected me like that.
914
My parents protected the pack's reputation.
915
Liam protected Chloe's feelings.
916
Caleb only protected himself.
917
But Jace protected me.
918
I reached out and gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
919
He flinched slightly, but didn't pull away.
920
Does it hurt?
921
No. Okay, it hurts.
922
But I'm fine.
923
Then why are you still smiling? Because you're okay.
924
If you're okay, I'm okay.
925
During outdoor time, Jace and I always stayed together.
926
That day, he finally told me about his parents.
927
They were the Alpha and Luna of our pack.
928
Our territory is deep in the snow mountains.
929
I grew up climbing those mountains with them.
930
Then one day, it was just me.
931
A blizzard hit Silver Peak, the highest mountain in our territory.
932
A few pack members got trapped near the top.
933
The rescue team said it was too dangerous to go up and wanted to wait for the storm to ease.
934
My parents grabbed their ropes and went up anyway.
935
I couldn't stop them, so I followed
936
and waited on a ledge halfway up the cliff they got
937
everyone down safely my parents were the last ones coming down they were almost back to my ledge
938
when one of the anchors suddenly gave way they fell right
939
past me i reached for them my fingertips even touched my mom's hand
940
but i couldn't grab her i couldn't grab her i looked at him my chest aching
941
it wasn't your fault the blizzard the anchor failing none of that was in your control You did everything you could.
942
The last thing your parents saw was you trying to save them.
943
They knew you tried.
944
I pulled him into a hug.
945
Jace froze.
946
Then he slowly wrapped his arms around me.
947
You can't keep blaming yourself for this.
948
He held me a little tighter.
949
After a long while, he finally pulled back.
950
He wiped his face and forced a small smile.
951
When we get out of here, come stay in my pack for a while.
952
Really?
953
I've never seen a snow mountain before it never snows where
954
i'm from then i'll take you to silver peak are you
955
sure after what happened there that's exactly why i want to
956
take you i want silver pete to hold one good memory
957
too suddenly getting out of this place felt worth hoping for okay
958
when we get out we'll go to silver pete together
959
that day for once the whole family said they were coming
960
to visit me together chloe arrived first she looked at my hospital gown and smirked getting used to it here grace
961
i'm getting pretty used to having you out of the way Recognize it?
962
Funny.
963
Everything that used to be yours ends up mine.
964
That was the last birthday gift I had ever received.
965
But - steps came from the hallway.
966
My parents, Liam and Caleb walked in together.
967
Chloe suddenly shrank back in her chair.
968
What happened?
969
Who upset you?
970
Grace.
971
Grace said she never wants to see me again.
972
She said the first thing she'll do when she gets out is throw me out of the pack house.
973
When did I ever say that?
974
We didn't even talk about that.
975
Please stop denying it.
976
I know you still hate me.
977
She's lying.
978
Before you came in, she showed me my bracelet and said everything
979
that used to be mine would end up hers grace not again
980
i'm telling the truth have you really never noticed she only acts like this
981
when you're watching the doctor said this kind of thinking is
982
part of your illness i'm not sick you just believe her
983
because it's easier grace how did you become like this alpha marcus turned toward the hallway
984
and called for the caregivers two caregivers came in with a
985
treatment bed the moment i saw it my blood ran cold
986
no i'm not sick mom dad please no more not again please
987
i'll be good i'll never say a word against chloe again Oh,
988
please, please don't do this.
989
Ava!
990
Ava!
991
Ava!
992
Ava, look at me.
993
Chase, looks like I can't go to Silver Peak with you.
994
Don't say that.
995
You're going to be okay.
996
When you get out, scatter my ashes at the summit, okay?
997
That way, it'll be like I made it there too.
998
I promise I'll take you there.
999
I used the last of my strength to smile at him.
1000
Ava, don't close your eyes, please!
1001
Ava!
1002
Time of death, 8 .17 p .m.
1003
Not long after, Jace came back with a full bottle of rubbing alcohol and a lighter.
1004
Before anyone could react, Jace locked the door and splashed the alcohol over the curtains and anything else that could catch fire.
1005
He flicked the lighter.
1006
Flames shot up.
1007
you're insane my family rushed for the door and kicked it again
1008
and again but it wouldn't budge Caleb rushed to the windows
1009
but they were all covered with security bars the flames soon
1010
swallowed everything I pawned my ability to love in exchange for
1011
one chance to be reborn after I disappeared the wolf -eared girl tilted her head at Jace
1012
and you here to pawn something too yes my whole soul
1013
in exchange for what she just pawned to you she can't
1014
lose the ability to love she needs to love herself please
1015
give it back to her interesting how about a wager
1016
if I lose I won't take your soul I bet
1017
that even in her next life she still won't learn to
1018
love herself she'll still beg those people for their love I'll take away every memory she has of you
1019
but you'll remember everything
1020
You'll watch her live it all again You won't be able to tell her the truth
1021
You won't be able to change her fate Until everyone's fate is finally settled Deal Sign it,
1022
with your heart He pressed his palm against the contract
1023
A glowing heart was pulled from his chest And sank into the page I held tightly onto Jace's hand.
1024
Did that deal hurt you?
1025
I'm fine.
1026
Really.
1027
A doctor walked in and checked my chart.
1028
Everything looks normal.
1029
You fainted from emotional stress.
1030
We'll keep you here for a few more days.
1031
If everything stays normal, you can go home.
1032
Two months later, I was discharged.
1033
Jace and I entered the same university.
1034
Together, we built a professional rescue team for the pack.
1035
We set up weather monitoring.
1036
Pack members carried avalanche beacons whenever they went out.
1037
But Alpha James and Luna Esther still insisted on leading every rescue themselves.
1038
I wanted to stop them.
1039
Jace shook his head.
1040
Everyone needs something they love.
1041
Forcing them to give it up would only hurt them.
1042
Then came the day they had died in our past life.
1043
Another pack member was trapped by an avalanche.
1044
This time the beacon sent back his exact location immediately.
1045
Our rescue team moved fast.
1046
Everyone came back alive.
1047
When the news hit my phone, I was so happy I dragged Jace around the track three times.
1048
He finally dropped that carefree act he always wore he dropped to his knees on the track laughing
1049
and crying at the same time he had changed it Then another headline caught my eye.
1050
I opened it and skimmed the report.
1051
Chloe had found out Caleb planned to take someone else as his mate.
1052
In a rage, she castrated him.
1053
Caleb lost control and strangled her in the hospital room.
1054
I stared at the screen for a long time, but I felt strangely calm.
1055
It was finally over.
1056
Hey, why aren't you comforting me?
1057
What are you looking at?
1058
I'm comforting you.
1059
Not good enough.
1060
Excuse me?
1061
So what would be enough?
1062
Jace looked up at me and tugged at my sleeve.
1063
Jace grabbed my wrist and pulled me down into his arms.
1064
Before I could steady myself, his lips came down on mine.
1065
He held me there for a long, slow kiss.
1066
Jace, did I hurt you?
1067
Is it your heart?
1068
You are faking it?
1069
...Jace Carter.
1070
You worried about me?
1071
Shut up!
1072
The year we graduated from college, Jace and I finally made it to the summit of Silver Peak.
1073
Snow that never melted, stretched beneath our feet as far as I could see.
1074
Seriously?
1075
Nothing feels wrong?
1076
Not even a little?
1077
Not even the tiniest bit?
1078
nothing not even the tiniest bit my Ava did
1079
so well you worked so hard to build your own life you made me win
1080
that bet completely I finally let out the breath I had been holding I started to pull my hand away
1081
but Jace pressed it firmly back against his chest although don't you think my heart's beating pretty fast
1082
shameless he stumbled back laughing but immediately leaned in again
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 1082 sentences and 9588 words to shadow. The speech runs for 52:16. The speaker talks fast, about 183 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. Only 80% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| drag verb | /dɹæɡ/ | To pull along a surface or through a medium, sometimes with difficulty. |
| alpha noun | /ˈæl.fə/ | The name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to A. |
| rush verb | /ɹʌʃ/ | To hurry; to perform a task with great haste, often not properly or without thinking carefully. |
| shock noun | /ʃɔk/ | A sudden, heavy impact. |
| tear verb | /tɛɹ/ | To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate. |
| hallway noun | /ˈhɔlˌweɪ/ | A corridor in a building that connects rooms. |
| ignore verb | /ɪɡˈnɔː/ | To deliberately not listen or pay attention to. |
| shake verb | /ˈʃeɪk/ | To cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly. |
| slam verb | /ˈslæm/ | To shut with sudden force so as to produce a shock and noise. |
| stare verb | /stɛɚ/ | To look fixedly (at something). |
| clip noun | /klɪp/ | Something which clips or grasps; a device for attaching one object to another. |
| react verb | /ɹiːˈækt/ | To act in response. |
| psychiatric adjective | /ˌsaɪ.kiˈæt.ɹɪk/ | Of, or relating to, psychiatry. |
| bracelet noun | /ˈbɹeɪslət/ | A band or chain worn around the wrist as jewelry/jewellery or an ornament. |
| rescue verb | /ˈɹɛs.kjuː/ | To save from any violence, danger or evil. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| let out verb | To release. |
| end up verb | To bring to a conclusion. |
| find out verb | To discover, as by asking or investigating. |
| get out verb | To leave or escape. |
| go back to verb | To stem from; to originate in. |
| pick up verb | To lift; to grasp and raise. |
| stand up verb | To rise from a lying or sitting position. |
| come back verb | To return to a place. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| “Used to” used to + verb — a past habit or state that is no longer true | used to having · used to be · used to show |
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | if afraid, I would refuse · If anyone left, she would scream · If that bastard Caleb comes back, I'll get |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | has been · has already volunteered · have seen |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was left · be sent · was ignored |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 221 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'm, didn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: throat /ˈθɹoʊt/, breathe /bɹiːð/, thin /ˈθɪn/, bother /ˈbɑðɚ/, sixth /sɪksθ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: rush /ɹʌʃ/, shock /ʃɔk/, shake /ˈʃeɪk/, trash /tɹæʃ/, patience /ˈpeɪ̯.ʃəns/
- Long words — get the stress right: psychiatric /ˌsaɪ.kiˈæt.ɹɪk/, reputation /ˌɹɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/, ridiculous /ɹɪˈdɪk.jə.ləs/, disappointed /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪd/, elementary /ˌɛləˈmɛntəɹi/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like drag, alpha, rush.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.