Chapter 2

Linnea's POV

My brain buzzed, exploding into a blank static.

"See it now? You lying hypocrite!" Chloe shoved me hard, her nails digging into my shoulder. As she leaned in, that bird pendant swung out from her collar, gleaming as it dangled before my eyes. "Playing us bottom-feeders like a fiddle—what a thrill, right?"

"Shut up, Chloe!" I clutched the paper tightly, my voice raspy from the sheer absurdity of it all. "I handed in a blank paper! How the hell does a blank paper get a perfect score?!"

Dead silence fell over the room.

A flash of bewilderment crossed Chloe's eyes before quickly morphing into deeper hatred. "Even your lies are completely irrational!" She spat on the floor and slammed the door behind her.

I didn't have time for her hysteria. I grabbed my jacket and bolted for the administration office.

Before I even reached the door, two familiar figures rushed out—my parents.

"Linnea!" My mother, Coralie, grabbed my arm. Beneath her perfect makeup was sheer panic. "How could you?! Are you out of your mind? Why did you take first place!"

"Listen to me, we are going home right now!" My father, Garrick, was pale, his tie Askew. He gripped my wrist so hard it felt like my bones would snap. "I've already called the security firm. In ten minutes, every sharp object in our house will be cleared out!"

"Dad, Mom, calm down!" I yanked my arms free and pushed open the door to the admin office. "I didn't write a single word. I demand to see my exam paper!"

Director Davis sat behind his desk. Seeing me, he adjusted his glasses, a hint of condescending pity in his eyes.

"Miss Hartwell, your parents have already caused quite a scene." He pushed a tablet to the edge of the desk. "The system checked it three times. Your answers were flawless. The top offer from Cordell–Pryce was officially sent to your inbox an hour ago."

"The system is rigged!" I slammed my hands on his desk, staring him down. "I turned in a blank exam! Who touched my paper?"

"Mind your manners!" Davis slammed the desk back. "Aldermere has a century-old academic reputation. I will not tolerate this slander. Security footage shows you handing in your paper normally, and the system entry is perfect. You are this year's top student. That is an immutable fact!"

Then, softening his tone, a strange, cold light flickered in his eyes. "Miss Hartwell, most of the outstanding alumni who received this offer... couldn't handle the pressure. You have a boundless future. Tonight, please, take good care of yourself."

"Enough! Shut up!" My father roared, whirling around to lock onto my shoulders. "Linnea, we're going home. Now!"

The clock on the wall pointed to 2:00 PM.

There were only ten hours left until midnight—the exact hour every previous first-place student had died.

"I am not going to kill myself, Mom," I said coldly in the corridor leading to the school’s main exit, looking at the despair in my mother's eyes. "I’ve grown up with the best life in Calderwell. I lack neither money nor love. I have zero reason to give up my life."

"I know, baby, but every single person who died was exactly like that!" Coralie sobbed, breaking down. "Theodore bought a private jet last year, and he still died! You have to stay with us tonight. Don't leave our sight for a single second!"

The moment my father pushed open the main doors of the medical school, a storm of blinding camera flashes hit us.

"There she is! She's out!"

Dozens of microphones with network logos were shoved almost into my face. The courtyard erupted.

"Miss Hartwell! How does it feel to get the death-curse offer?"

"Do you think you’ll survive the night?"

"Rumor has it every top student ends their life before midnight. How are you planning to go? Jumping off a building or swallowing a gun?!"

Each question was more absurd and vicious than the last.

"Get lost! You bloodthirsty vultures!" Coralie screamed, swinging her designer bag to fend off the reporters. "Stay away from my daughter! She's fine! She is going to survive tonight!"

The crowd erupted in sickening laughter. Not a single person believed the top student could live to see tomorrow's sunrise.

Standing in the center of the mob, my blood ran cold inch by inch.

I finally understood. As long as I died tonight, no one would look for the truth. I would just be filed away as another "cursed valedictorian."

This was a premeditated murder with a pre-written ending.

"Move." I pushed past my father's protective arms and snatched the nearest microphone.

The crowd instantly fell deadly silent. Every lens locked onto me.

Staring into the cold, merciless flashes, I delivered every word like a blade slicing through ice:

"Everyone in Calderwell, listen to me closely!"

"I, Linnea Hartwell, am perfectly mentally healthy and extremely happy. I am under no pressure whatsoever, and I absolutely will not take my own life!"

I glared into the cameras, pulling a freezing smile.

"If you find my body tomorrow morning—it wasn't suicide. It was premeditated murder!"