Chapter 1: A Fresh Start

"Goodbye, Ms. Willows!"

The courtyard of Hill Preschool buzzed with the chaotic yet joyful symphony of dismissal time. Laughter rang out from one corner, while sniffles and tiny tantrums filled another, creating a familiar cacophony of young emotions. Sherry Willows, standing by the gate, bent down to wave goodbye to a little girl clutching her mother’s hand. Her gentle smile, warm and sincere, had become a comforting sight for the children and parents alike.

Sherry was still relatively new to the school, having started her teaching career only a few months ago. Her journey here was anything but typical. Growing up in a nearby orphanage, she had learned early on how to take care of others. By the age of seven, Sherry was already managing the younger kids with remarkable ease, her steady hands and creative spirit often leaving the nuns in awe.

Recognizing her innate talents, the nuns nudged her toward becoming a preschool teacher. Sherry, who had no particular passion for any field, accepted their guidance. With their recommendation, she quickly found her way to Hill Preschool. Though the adjustment was initially daunting, her dedication, patience, and knack for crafting delightful activities soon earned her the affection of her students and the respect of her colleagues.

RING RING RING

Her phone vibrated in her pocket just as the last group of children trickled out the gate. She pulled it out, answering with her usual calm.

"Hello?"

"Sherry!!!" A chorus of enthusiastic young voices exploded from the other end, nearly making her laugh aloud.

"Slow down!" she said, suppressing a grin. "What’s the emergency?"

"We want your cookies!" one child declared, their voice followed by an eager agreement from others.

Sherry’s lips curled into a fond smile. "You mean the ones from last week?"

"Yes! Those!"

"Alright!! Alright!!" she relented with a laugh. "I’ll bring some tomorrow. But only if you promise to behave for your nuns."

"We promise!" they chorused, their excitement infectious even over the phone.

As she ended the call, Sherry shook her head with amusement. For all the challenges the job brought, it was moments like these—pure, unfiltered joy—that made her heart swell. The love and trust of the children were gifts she didn’t take lightly. She made a mental note to stop by the store later to buy ingredients, already imagining the delighted faces of her little "cookie critics”. With a smile lingering on her face, Sherry turned back toward the emptying school, her steps light and her heart full. Sherry currently resides in a modest room at the orphanage where she grew up. The rent is exceptionally low, but it comes with a simple arrangement: she helps care for the children three evenings a week. Occasionally, former residents drop by with small gifts of candy or baked goods, their way of staying connected to a place that once felt like home. By the time Sherry finished tidying the classroom, night had already fallen. Earlier, another teacher had stayed to help her clean, but since she had a young child waiting at home, Sherry had urged her to leave early.

“Still here so late, Ms. Willows?” Sherry looked up to see Mr. James, the elderly groundskeeper, smiling kindly as he locked up nearby.

“Good evening, Mr. James. Yes, tomorrow is International Children’s Day, so I stayed back to decorate the classroom for the kids.”

“Ah, such dedication! It must be a tough job, teaching little ones.”

“Not at all—it’s rewarding. The kids are so lovable!”

Mr. James chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, it’s late! You’d better head home. Oh, and one more thing—be careful crossing the intersection near the school. There aren’t any cameras there, and some drivers take the turn without slowing down. We’ve had a few accidents, and the drivers often flee the scene.”

“Thanks for letting me know, Mr. James. I’ll be careful. Have a good night! See you tomorrow.”

With a final wave, Sherry grabbed her bag and started her walk home. The cool night air brushed against her face, carrying with it a sense of quiet anticipation for the next day’s festivities. Her thoughts wandered to the children’s excitement, their laughter filling the decorated room, and for a moment, the tiredness of the long day melted away.

BREAKING NEWS

Tragedy struck today at the XX intersection when a container truck carrying concrete pipes lost control, causing the securing straps to snap. The heavy pipes tumbled onto the road, resulting in the deaths of the truck driver and a pedestrian who was passing by at the time. 

Authorities have identified the pedestrian as Sherry Willows; a beloved teacher at Hill Preschool, located just a short distance from the accident site. This marks the seventh traffic fatality reported at this hazardous intersection within the past month.

Ouch!! My head hurts!!

Sherry clutched her head and sat up, taking in the room around her. She found herself in a dingy apartment with a leaking roof, walls streaked with green moss, and a kitchen where cockroaches scurried across the counters. In sharp contrast, the wardrobe nearby was packed with luxurious clothes and high-end makeup. Startled, Sherry caught a glimpse of herself in a large mirror beside the wardrobe. The face, the body, the hair—it was all unmistakably hers. Even the name on the ID card lying on the bed was the same.

Through a journal and some documents scattered around, Sherry pieced together the story of this other Sherry. Like her, this Sherry was an orphan, but she hadn’t been a preschool teacher. Instead, she was an aspiring actress, a woman obsessed with appearances and intent on living a life of wealth and glamour. To chase that dream, she had decided to depend on the young billionaire Rye Mavis.

Sherry found the contract she and Rye had signed-a relationship agreement. From the diary, she learned that Rye Mavis once had a first love named Elena Oswal, though they never ended up together. The former Sherry, bearing a strong resemblance to Elena, had been introduced to Rye by her agency director, who hoped to build connections with the powerful Mavis Corporation. Sherry, on the other hand, saw an opportunity to secure the young billionaire's financial backing. Just yesterday, she successfully signed the contract, and Rye’s assistant had already scheduled her move to a new residence the following week. As Sherry carefully examined the contract, she was struck by the lavish terms. In exchange for attending a few social events by Rye's side and keeping other women at bay, she would be provided with a new home, a monthly allowance of $2 million deposited on the second of each month, and acting roles in various films financed by the Mavis Corporation.

Sherry let out a long sigh and dropped back onto the bed. According to the diary left by the former Sherry, she had been abused at the orphanage, often going hungry on nights when she couldn’t finish her assigned tasks. Sherry felt a deep sadness for this girl, whose life had been so different from her own. Sherry had known happiness, been surrounded by people who cared about her and had never faced hunger. During winter, the nuns would even prepare new clothes for her by hand. But this other Sherry had vanished for reasons unknown, never having experienced true joy. Sherry resolved to live on in her place, determined to create a life of happiness until the day she might return. The diary also revealed that the former Sherry had little interest in acting. Haunted by memories of hunger and a cold in her childhood, she was willing to accept any job that offered quick money, even sacrificing herself in pursuit of a wealthy life. Sherry was relieved to find, through a gynecological exam report, that the former Sherry hadn’t gone so far as to sell herself. With new resolve, Sherry decided it was time to call Rye Mavis’s team and renegotiate her terms.

"Yes? Who’s there?"

"It’s Mr. Arden. Sherry Willows here."

"Ah, Ms. Willows. How can I assist you?"

"I’d like to revisit the terms of our contract."

"Is something wrong with it?"

"I think it would be best if we discuss this in person."

"I’ll inform my boss and get back to you."

"I’ll wait for your update. Have a great day, Mr. Arden."

"You too, Ms. Willows."

KNOCK KNOCK

"Mr. Mavis, may I come in?"

"Of course. What's the matter?"

"Ms. Willows wants to renegotiate the contract."

"Something that small? Handle it as you see fit."

"Got it, Boss."

The next morning, Sherry stood in front of Mavis Corporation. The towering building, with its glass panels reflecting the dazzling sunlight, made her feel a bit intimidated. However, since she had made the appointment, backing out wasn’t an option. Taking a deep breath to push aside her usual shyness, Sherry walked step by step toward the reception desk.

“Hello, I’d like to meet with Assistant Arden.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Yes, I scheduled one yesterday.”

“Please wait a moment, and I’ll contact the assistant. Hello, Mr. Arden? This is Mary from reception. There’s a lady here saying she has an appointment with you from yesterday. All right, thank you! Goodbye!”

The receptionist turned to Sherry. “You may proceed to the 28th floor. The assistant is waiting for you in the lounge.”

“Thank you!” Sherry replied.