All Chapters of Seven Floors Down, Seven Years Back: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I was reborn to the day when Mom and Dad brought me back to the Jagger residence.Their eyes were swollen from crying as they told me, through their tears, how much they had missed me and how guilty they felt for all the lost years.It had been a decade since we'd been apart, and they'd never stopped thinking about me.In my previous life, I was so moved by their words that I broke down in tears and threw myself into their arms, foolishly thinking I'd finally found a place where I belonged.I thought I'd finally found someone who truly loved me!Yet seven years later, I tore at my wedding dress in despair and threw myself from the Jagger residence, foolishly hoping that such a drastic move would make them finally care about me.But the truth was, no one ever loved me.Now, I felt nothing as if I were made of stone."Sweetheart, I've prepared so many gifts for you! They're all in the living room. Take whatever you want!" Mom said.I didn't answer, so she took my hand and led me

"I'm not really into plush toys, thanks," I replied through the door, pulling out the books I'd brought from the countryside.Life had given me a second chance, and I was determined to make the most of it. My top priority was to get stronger and stop depending on anyone else's love. I wanted to be able to love myself.There were countless ways to practice self-love. At this moment, the best way to do that was by becoming accomplished and self-sufficient."Do you hate me, Cora?" Rosa's voice came through the door. "I know I shouldn't have taken your place. I'm just an outsider…"I could tell she was saying this as Mom and Dad walked by.As expected, Mom rushed to comfort her. "Don't think that way. Cora just needs time to get used to everything.""Exactly. There's no such thing as being an outsider. You're both my daughters," Dad said.I scoffed. Lies. I was the outsider here.After everything quieted down, I checked the money my relatives had given me to mark my return to the f

"You ungrateful brat! Why are you still hanging around? Get lost! There's only space for Rosa in this house!" Magnus' voice thundered, snapping me from my daze.It was then that I finally understood what Mom's and Dad's uneasy glances meant. They'd been silently pushing me to leave. It all made sense now.I packed up my belongings and left without a word. After that, a small studio on the west side of town became my refuge.My thoughts returned to the present. I quietly made my way upstairs to pack my things. If the Jaggers were desperate to get rid of me, I'd make it easy for them.Instead of living at the school, I rented a small apartment nearby. A cleaning lady came once a week to keep things in order.One day, she gave me a curious look and asked, "Miss, do your parents know you're living here alone? They never seem to come around."How could they possibly come around? Rosa had been throwing tantrums, and they were too busy tending to her to worry about me.My silence seeme

In my final year of high school, I'd often imagine myself as a woman of power and success, admired by everyone.My past life now seemed absurd. I spent seven years desperately chasing love, trying to earn the affection I never received from my family.I desperately wanted the love of Mom, Dad, and Magnus. But on my 22nd birthday, I jumped from a building and ended my life.Thus, turning 22 carried a different weight for me. I had a strong feeling that something huge was coming that day, but in this life, it came four years earlier.I received a call from Mom in the early morning. It was the first time she had contacted me in six months.The last time she called was on Christmas Eve when she invited me home for the family celebration. But I stayed in my rented apartment and made meatballs alone.When I took the call, I could hear the smile in her voice. "It's been so long, Cora. I didn't want to interrupt you with your exam preparations, so I held off on calling."I hummed softly

"No, thanks," I said, keeping it short. "I've got class now. I'm hanging up.""Oh, alright... You're always so independent. Sweetheart, I really care about you, and I hope you'll reconsider the engagement," Mom's voice softened with concern.I ended the call and went back to my studies.After Rosa got engaged, she left for her studies abroad.Meanwhile, the SAT was fast approaching. It was just another minor obstacle for most rich kids, but it was make or break for me.I needed to get into the best university in the country, and I was determined to be the valedictorian. I knew I could do it.When my last exam ended, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing.My deskmate rolled her eyes at me. "What's with the tears? Back to wallowing before the mirror?”Back in my rented apartment, I stood before the new mirror I'd just bought. Not long ago, the idea of owning something this "luxurious" would have felt impossible. I didn't even have a makeup mirror, let alone a full-length one.