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631words
Chloe jumped at my voice. She'd used my computer before, and I never suspected her. Her panic screamed guilt.
"Emma, you scared me! My computer's down, so I'm using yours to send an email."
She logged out of her email, and my desktop showed no login. I wanted her to leave, but Chloe spun around, handing me a gift box with a smile.
"Emma, I bought you this dress. Wear it tonight at the gala. It cost a fortune!"
I opened the box and got really angry. It was the dress I died in, and there was a receipt in it. "Look, you pay more rent, but I got you this. We're even."
I sneered inside. Even? She paid only a third of the rent, took the bigger room, and I covered most groceries, because I knew she was supporting her brother with his education. A $200 dress made us square? She owed me my reputation and my life from the last time!
"Chloe, this dress is great! Where did you buy it?"
I flipped through the receipt, probing. She tilted her head proudly.
"At the city's fanciest mall! I can't even afford this brand."
I feigned refusal. Though I never understood why she insisted on this dress, my gut said it wasn't kindness.
"It's too nice. I can't accept—you keep it."
Chloe shoved the box back.
"Come on, it's for you. Wear it tonight—you'll be the star!"
In my last life, she said the same thing, and I ended up being the center of everyone's scorn. I thanked her and smiled.
"Alright, thanks!"
But I was frantic. She had probably sent the email. If I could recall it now, I could stop the trouble, but she was sitting in my chair and wouldn't leave.
"Emma, you look nervous."
Her knowing smirk disgusted me.
"It's my first gala. I'm worried I'll mess up."
She hugged me, acting like she was comforting me.
"No worries. If anything happens, I'll be there for you.
Try on the dress and see if it fits."
Be there for me? She was eager for my downfall.
"No need, your pick will fit. I have a file to finish. You..."
"Your computer—I still need it a bit longer to finish a report. Try on the dress; I'll be done soon."
She was stalling. Usually, Sophia was on a flight back and unable to see the email yet. If I recalled the email now, I could avoid trouble.
Then I remembered I could recall emails via my phone. Grabbing it, I headed to the restroom to" try on the dress." But my phone rang. Chloe saw it was her brother's call and snatched the phone. "
"Sorry, Emma, my phone's off, so he called you.I'll take it. Go try on the dress!"
She sat down and started chatting with her brother. Clearly this was part of her plan to stop me. If Sophia saw that email, I'd be in trouble again. I was a frantic mess.
"Chloe, let me use your computer."
I rushed to another department and borrowed a colleague's PC. Logging into my email, I found the sent email. My hands were shaking as I downloaded it. Finally I understood why Chloe insisted on that dress.
It contained photos of Chloe and Daniel dating, all in that dress, but with my face swapped with hers.
In my last life, if I'd been calmer, I'd have spotted her crude edits.
But back then, the chaos clouded my mind and I didn't defend myself. This time, I wouldn't be her pawn.
The email was sent five minutes ago. If I remembered correctly, Sophia was boarding the plane, likely not seeing it yet. I could recall it—but as I clicked, it showed the recipient had already read it.
