A Call To Rewrite My Fate

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A bizarre accident connected me with my seven-years-younger self.

Hearing that the future me was about to get engaged to Nolan Shaw, she rolled around on her bed in excitement, declaring herself the happiest girl in the world.

Happy?

I offered a bitter smile and silently showed her the full extent of my own brutal reality.

The gentle "Senior Shaw" she knew was long gone. In his place was the Nolan who repeatedly allowed others to call me a conniving opportunist, the Nolan who, right before our engagement, demanded I kneel and apologize to his first love's entire family.

So, do you still want this future?

The light in the eyes of my younger self dimmed.

The past was rewritten. Nolan, this time, we will never meet again.

At my engagement party with Nolan Shaw, the famous actress Skylar Brooks arrived with his family.

Instantly, all eyes were drawn away from us. Nolan let go of my hand and, along with his mother, went to greet them.

Mrs. Shaw, who had been wearing a stony expression a moment ago, immediately smiled and took Skylar's hand warmly. "Skylar, you finally made it."

Skylar smoothly engaged them in conversation. Around us, confused guests began to whisper about our relationship.

One of Nolan's friends pointed at me and chuckled, "Oh, her? She's the one who slept her way into the family."

It wasn't a new story. Whenever someone didn't know, they made sure to broadcast my "history."

In college, Nolan and I were in the same club. I pursued him for two years. He ended up dating his childhood sweetheart, Skylar Brooks. Seeing he was taken, I gave up.

But then, at a club gathering, I somehow ended up in bed with him.

That night, Skylar was overly enthusiastic about toasting Nolan and me. My tolerance for alcohol was low, and I got drunk quickly. I distinctly remember checking the room number; I was sure I was going back to my own room.

The next morning, the door was thrown open. Skylar brought people in to "catch us in the act." I was naked in Nolan'sbed, covered in bruises and hickeys. Skylar immediately burst into tears. Nolan quickly put on clothes and furiously interrogated me.

In everyone's mind, Nolan was the epitome of integrity and respect, while I was just a lovesick underclassman.

No one believed my explanation. They all called me shameless, a manipulative opportunist. When I returned to campus, the rumors spread like wildfire in the school group chats. Later, Skylar broke up with Nolan and went abroad, and I became public enemy number one.

Everyone rallied to defend Skylar, calling me a "homewrecker" and a "slut." They successfully got my scholarship revoked and my graduate school recommendation canceled.

Nolan initially planned to ignore me, but when he found out I was unexpectedly pregnant, he felt forced to take responsibility and be with me.

But as everyone predicted, though he was with me, his heart wasn't. The label of "opportunist who slept her way up" became an indelible stain on my life.

Upon hearing the story, all the guests sighed. "I knew it. Why else would the Shaws marry a commoner?"

"Look at her and her mom, so cheap. Without dirty tricks, they'd never get close to people like us."

My mom stood by me in the corner, her expression helpless. She whispered, "Maya, I'm so sorry. I wish I were more capable."

My nose stung, and my eyes welled up instantly. Mom worked as a server; shed spent her life bending her back for others. That's why she pushed me to study hard, hoping I'd never have to bow down to anyone again. Yet, here I was, at my own engagement party, dragging her into public ridicule.

I wished she would just yell at me, but Mom never did. She just squeezed my hand tenderly, sighing over and over again.

I had nothing to do with the actual engagement party; they were busy securing endorsements and resources for Skylar Brooks. It wasn't until the end that Nolan and I returned to the Shaw residence.

Once home, he went to bed early. I stepped onto the balcony. The night wind chilled me to the bone. I pulled out my phone and asked, "So now what? Do you still want me to stay?"

On the other end was Maya from seven years ago. One of us was full of hope for the future; the other's heart was already a dead husk.

"Well, because of the misunderstanding, maybe Senior Shaw is just having a hard time letting go. You finally got engaged, shouldn't you try to hold on a little longer?"

The truth was, I had kept the phone line open the whole day. Even after hearing everything, she was still weakly trying to convince me. It was understandablea story heard is never as deep as an experience lived.

The Maya of seven years ago knew only the Senior Shaw who patiently tutored me and chased away the creeps.

After a long pause, I let out a soft sigh.

"Oh, you mentioned that Senior Shaw and I had a child, right? That baby should be seven now. Can I hear their voice?"

Her voice was filled with excitement, but my reply was ice-cold: "He died years ago."

Skylar had debuted by then, and she had a few loyal fans on campus. They deliberately waited until I was heavily pregnant and pushed me down a flight of stairs. The child who was about to be born died.

Nolan planned to seek justice, but Skylar, who was abroad, called and pleaded for her fans. Nolan dropped the case and forbade me from calling the police. He said it was my own karma that killed the child.

The matter was ultimately dismissed. I stayed in the hospital alone, watching the sun rise and set, my eyes vacant. The doctor said I had severe depression and told me to relax and communicate more with my family. I nodded but told no one. For five years, no one ever noticed.

When I woke up the next day, I found Mrs. Shaw dining with Skylar Brooks downstairs.

Skylar had returned to the country two years ago. The moment she did, Nolan mobilized all of the Shaw family resources to make her a star. Mrs. Shaw went further, bringing her home right in front of me, lamenting that she had been betrayed by an unscrupulous person like me.

The two were deep in conversation when I approached. Skylar suddenly said, "I heard the Shaws have an heirloom bracelet passed down to the daughter-in-law. Auntie, why haven't you given it to Maya?"

Mrs. Shaw snorted. "Does she deserve it? A low-class opportunist. She'd contaminate the Shaw family's heirloom."

Skylar looked troubled, though her eyes betrayed a hidden joy. "Auntie, she and Nolan are engaged. Isn't that a bit harsh?"

"What's harsh about it? Skylar, rest assured, you are the only daughter-in-law in my heart. I will never recognize that woman."

Mrs. Shaw was likely quite angry. Despite the child being gone and Skylar having returned, Nolan still hadn't dumped me and was even engaged to me.

I was long used to this. I silently moved aside and started scrolling through my phone.

The moment I opened an app, the top headline read: "Hot Actress Skylar Brooks Rumored to be the Future Daughter-in-Law of the Shaw Group." Skylar had even liked the post with her private account.

The comments section exploded with excitement; everyone was gushing about the perfect couple. Skylars fans were especially smug. "Our Skylar is simply the best! She even bagged the CEO, Mr. Shaw!"

I quietly posted a comment: "But I often see Mr. Shaw with someone else. That must be his girlfriend."

The moment I posted, Skylar's fans descended on me. "What kind of nobody is this, trying to steal our Skylar's man?"

"Sweetie, you must be mistaken. If he had a girlfriend, why would this trending topic stay up for so long?"

"Exactly! Our Mr. Shaw must be jealous of all the handsome guys around Skylar and is secretly asserting his claim."

The replies multiplied. I scrolled down, losing strength with each one. I thought I had gotten used to this over the years, but my chest still felt heavy and suffocated. They were right. Wasn't all this happening with Nolan's silent permission?

On the phone, seven-years-ago Maya kept trying to comfort me in a soft voice. She said those fans were talking nonsense and that Senior Shaw would definitely handle it if he knew.

Nolan used to have many admirers. Once, when I was targeted by vicious rumors, he took me up to the person and slapped them. But that was a long time ago.

"Senior Shaw..." I let out a short, cynical laugh. "Do you really think your Senior Shaw will care?"

My past and future selves made a bet.

The bet was simple: if Nolan made me suffer for Skylar one more time, she would lose.

I demanded she stay away from Nolan and Skylar from now on. I was going to change the future from the past.

A week later, the five-years-ago me would refuse the party invitation, cut off all contact with Nolan, graduate successfully, and secure my spot in grad school, never again having to live under a cloud of shame.

That evening, Nolan returned smelling heavily of alcohol. I immediately confronted him and demanded an explanation.

He glanced at me. "Do you have to make a scene over something so trivial?"

The hand hidden beneath my sleeve was trembling uncontrollably. In five years, this was the first time I couldn't help but shout at him, "Nolan Shaw, if you can't let her go, then just be with Skylar Brooks openly!"

As soon as I finished, Nolan sneered. "Skylar and I have always been honest. It's you who loves to play games and resort to cheap tricks behind people's backs."

"Senior..."

Nolan suddenly froze. It was the younger Maya's voice calling out. Exhausted, I continued, "I don't want to be trapped in the past anymore, trapped here."

I didn't want to be plagued by nightmares every night, filled with the sound of a baby's cries. I didn't want to live like a criminal, subject to abuse from anyone.

I had told them I truly went back to my own room, so why did no one believe me?

Unexpectedly, Nolan's face darkened menacingly. "Maya Shaw, you low-class tramp who slept your way into a man's bed back then, what are you trying to prove now with this innocent act?"

He gripped my wrist tightly, pinning me down on the bed. I struggled, begging him to stop, but Nolan's movements became increasingly brutal. Everything only stopped when my lip was bitten through, and a tearing pain ripped through my body.

Nolan, drunk, fell asleep quickly. I forced myself to get up, a bitter smile on my face, and announced, "Maya, you lost."

The other side was silent. After a long moment, she replied softly, "I understand. I will honor the bet."

...

The next day was Mother's Day. I went to my mom's workplace, planning to pick her up to go out.

I never expected three thugs to storm in and beat my mom to the ground. I rushed forward in a panic, trying to shield her.

The leader of the thugs shouted, "You old fool! You raised a daughter who's a homewrecking opportunist! I'll beat you to death!"

Bystanders who were about to help stopped, eyeing my mom and me strangely. The other two thugs dragged me away, pinning me to the floor, as the first one started landing punches on my mom.

"Take it out on me! Let go of my mom!"

I watched my mom get beaten, covered in blood, pleading until her voice faded. I cried, desperately yelling for help, but no one would intervene until security guards finally arrived and chased them off.

Trembling, I called 911. At the hospital, a nurse told me they were short-staffed and the lead surgeons were all tied up in operations.

I remembered the Shaw family knew several doctors. I rushed to find them, only to discover they were all gathered in one area.

Skylar Brooks had an incident on setshe'd suffered a minor cut and was severely shaken.

Nolan, worried sick, had summoned everyone to examine her.

Outside the room, I watched Skylar tremble in Nolan's arms. He was whispering reassurances, his expression filled with intense worry.

I burst into the room, my voice hoarse. "Nolan, my mom is dying. Please, I need one doctor."

Skylar's eyes immediately welled up. She clutched Nolan's sleeve. "My heart feels so bad."

Nolan's gaze was as sharp as a knife. "Maya, Skylar is like this, and you have to act out of jealousy now? Even using your mom as an excuse?"

I dropped to my knees, grabbing his sleeve, pleading, "It's true! I'm not lying! My mom is in critical condition!"

Nolan said impatiently, "Wait."

Time ticked by agonizingly slowly. My heart was on fire. Skylar was completely unharmed but kept saying she felt unwell. Finally, I saw a doctor free up. Just then, the alarm for the emergency room blared. Ignoring everything, I sprinted toward the sound, but when I arrived, I watched the nurse slowly pull a white sheet over a body.

The doctors and nurses apologized to me. I collapsed, looking at my mom lying motionless in a pool of blood. It was Mother's Day. I was supposed to take her out to celebrate.

After a while, Nolan arrived. He froze at the sight, realizing I hadn't lied. He walked over to apologize, but I couldn't hear a word.

Just then, I received a call from the police station, notifying me that the three thugs involved in the assault had been apprehended.

I wiped my tears and rushed over. I wouldn't let them get away with it. Nolan also promised to help me seek revenge.

But when we got there, we found Skylar Brooks already present.

The moment she saw me, she rushed forward and knelt before me, crying. She claimed the man was her brother, who only wanted to defend her, and was then incited by others to do such a terrible thing.

"Maya, I will compensate you. Please, let my brother go. He's applying for a government job."

I shoved her hand away, feeling only absurdity. When she realized pleading with me was useless, she turned to Nolan. Nolan agreed.

"Maya, let it go."

I screamed in complete breakdown, "How dare you tell me to let it go! I'll never forgive any of them!"

"Maya! If you hadn't caused those problems years ago, your mother wouldn't have been attacked!"

My mind went blank. For the last time, I explained weakly, "How many times do I have to tell you, I went back to my own room that night!"

In the end, Nolan forced me to sign a letter of forgiveness. He said from now on, everything that happened in the past was to be forgotten.

But what kind of sin requires the lives of my child and my mother as compensation?

I walked alone, recounting what just happened to the Maya of seven years ago.

This time, she didn't say a word. If she had been reluctant at the start of the bet, now only a similar deathly silence remained in her heart.

I hung up and found myself at the riverbank, where a drowning child was struggling in the water.

Without a second thought, I jumped in and pulled him out. But as I reached the bank, my body gave out, and I passed out.

I was unconscious for six days. When I woke up, I found Nolan by my bedside, his face haggard from lack of sleep.

"Maya, I told you, let the past go. I will take good care of you, in your mom's stead."

I paused, realizing he thought I had deliberately tried to drown myself to blackmail him. But who wanted his care? Who agreed to forget the past?

Nolan signaled, and his and Skylar's friends entered. They chatted with me in a friendly way and wished me happiness. But as soon as they left, I heard them gathering in the hallway to comfort Skylar: "Skylar, don't let that manipulative opportunist get to you."

"Yeah, pulling a suicide stunt for sympathy. Disgusting."

"We'll never forgive her for the nasty things she's done."

It was ridiculous. Who needed their forgiveness? Under the guise of avenging Skylar, they mocked and abused me, got my scholarship and grad school recommendation canceled, and led the entire school to isolate me. After I started working, they would show up at every company I worked for and cause a scene, preventing me from getting promoted for five years, leaving me permanently in the lowest-level jobs.

If I showed the slightest resistance, they would run to Nolan and play the victim. They called me a "green tea" (a phrase I'd translate as a 'faux-innocent drama queen'), but they were the truly hypocritical and disgusting ones.

Thankfully, I was about to be rid of them all. I checked the date. Tomorrow. It was finally going to end.

I was discharged that day after being cleared by the doctors.

Back at the Shaws', the servants were much more respectful, and even Mrs. Shaw grudgingly spoke to me.

Nolan probably thought this was the happy ending he was giving me. He and Skylar had forgiven me, and my social circle was willing to accept me. But for me, this was just the beginning.

That night, after Nolan fell asleep, I made a phone call. The voice on the other end was relaxed. "Skylar Brooks has invited me to that gathering many times today, but I keep refusing. Don't worry, I'm staying away from Nolan, from all of them."

She let out a long breath and finally said, "So, Maya, go forward."

My mother named me Maya, which means "awakening." She wanted me to always have the resilient courage to endure winter and thrive in the spring. I shouldn't be trapped here, carrying this heavy chain.

That night, I stood on the balcony, watching the dawn break. In the final moments, I turned, looked at Nolan sleeping on the bed, and said calmly, "Nolan, goodbye. We will never meet again."

The next day, Nolan woke up and frowned at the empty space beside him.

He'd had a nightmare yesterday. He dreamed I was disappearing, and he couldn't hold onto me no matter what.

Nolan quickly got up, looking around the room, feeling like something was significantly missing.

He went downstairs and saw Mrs. Shaw elegantly eating breakfast at the dining table. "Mom, where's Maya?"

Mrs. Shaw looked at him strangely. "Who are you talking about, Maya?"

He looked up at his mother, his voice laced with anxiety. "Mom, Maya Shaw is my fiance. We've been together for seven years. Do you really not remember her at all?"

Mrs. Shaw frowned, walking over to check his forehead. "Son, are you running a fever? Where did you get a fiance?"