On my wedding day, my best friend Jess gave me a cheap lottery ticket as a gift.
I saw disgust in her eyes as she said sweetly, Its the thought that counts. Besides, Im pregnantI need every penny. You wouldnt take money from me, right?
Chilled but unwilling to cause a scene, I let it go.
Later, I discovered the ticket was worth $50 million. My husband Mark and I claimed the prize, but the news spread fast.
Jess showed up at our door, frantic and accusing me of stealing her luck. In the struggle, she lunged with a knifebut it struck Mark instead.
As I tried to call for help, she tackled me. We crashed through the balcony glass and fell to our deaths.
Then I woke upback at the wedding, the lottery ticket still in my hand.

1
My hand was frozen in mid-air. A second later, Jess slapped it down, hard.
A sharp, stinging pain shot up from my knuckles, snapping me back to reality. I was back. Back at my own wedding.
I watched as Jess shot me a venomous glare and stuffed the lottery ticketthe one meant to be my giftback into her own pocket. As she did, she carefully, almost obsessively, checked to make sure it wasn't bent or torn.
Jess, what are you doing? I asked, my voice trembling slightly. Werent you giving that to me?
Her face contorted with rage.
Giving it to you? Who said I was giving it to you? she shrieked. This is mine! I bought it for myself! Who the hell do you think you are? You think you deserve something of mine?
I quickly glanced at the numbers on the ticket. They were identical to the one shed given me in my past life.
What she didnt know was that her ticket was a dud.
The reason Id won fifty million dollars in my past life was because I had also bought a ticket for myself that morning.
The real winner was mine.
The cheerful buzz of the reception hall died down, replaced by a stunned silence. All eyes were on us. A few of our mutual friends hurried over. Whats going on? Why are you two fighting?
But Megan, who had seen the whole exchange, couldnt help but sneer.
Its Livs wedding day, and you give her a lottery ticket as a gift, which is tacky enough. But now youre asking for it back? Youve got some nerve!
That was the spark that lit the fuse.
Jesss eyes went wide. She shoved Megan violently. What do you know? What could you possibly know?
That ticket was always meant to be mine!
Her manic energy scared everyone. The crowd took a collective step back.
And in that moment, I knew. She had been reborn, too.
In my past life, at this exact moment, she had handed me the ticket with a smile.
I bought this lottery ticket especially for you today, shed said, pressing it into my hand. Make sure you keep it safe.
Its the thought that counts. Just take it. Oh, and by the way, my due date is in six months. As the godmother, youd better start saving up for a big gift.
At the time, I was just confused. I thought it was some kind of weird joke. We had known each other for over twenty years. When she got married, I had been her rock. The wedding dress, the diamond ring, even the designer handbag she carriedI bought them all for her. She had promised me that when I got married, no matter what, she would be my maid of honor.
So when Mark and I set our date, she was the first person I called.
Her response was a flat rejection.
Im pregnant. I cant be a maid of honor. Its too much work. You wouldnt make a pregnant woman do all that, would you?
I was hurt, but I understood. Being a maid of honor is exhausting.
Olivia! Are you deaf?
Jesss shrill voice cut through my memories, yanking me back to the present.
The thought of how I had died because of her made my fists clench at my sides.
Fine! Since Megan already called me out, Ill just say it! Jess shrieked, her voice echoing through the silent hall. From this day forward, Olivia and I are done! We have nothing to do with each other!
She steadied herself on someones arm and climbed onto a chair, addressing the whole room.
Everyone, listen up! Anyone who goes to Olivia right now and gets their wedding gift back, Ill give you five thousand dollars in cash! Right now!
People just stared at her like she was insane.
She didnt care. She pulled out her phone and called her husband, telling him to withdraw all their savings from the bank.
When she hung up, she shot me a triumphant, vicious grin.
Liv, dont blame me for being ruthless. You can only blame yourself for taking something that was never yours to begin with!

2
She spat the words out, her teeth clenched.
The atmosphere was thick with tension. A few people tried to gently pull her aside, but it was a half-hearted effort. They wanted to see the show.
My wedding ceremony was scheduled to start in fifteen minutes.
Instead, I was surrounded.
Its Livs wedding day. Cant this wait until after? someone murmured.
Jess tilted her chin up. Let me repeat myself. If you cut ties with Olivia right now, I will give you five thousand dollars each!
Just as she finished speaking, her husband arrived, panting, dragging a heavy black duffel bag.
Put it on the floor! she commanded.
He grunted and dropped the bag, unzipping it to reveal stacks and stacks of cash.
Honey, all of our savings. Twenty thousand dollars. Its all here.
The sight of that much cash stunned the room into silence.
Megan, standing beside me, gasped. Her voice was suddenly syrupy sweet. Jess, youre youre serious?
Jess laughed, a short, sharp sound. Of course, Im serious. When have I ever lied?
And believe me, Im about to have a lot more money than this.
Before, they would have dismissed her as crazy. But now, with a bag full of cash at her feet, they were listening.
Megan was the first to turn. Her eyes flicked over to me, and she held out her hand. Liv, I wish you all the best. Now, about that two-hundred-dollar gift I gave you can I get that back?
Before I could even speak, Jess was already counting out five thousand dollars and shoving it into Megans hands. Limited-time offer! First come, first served!
That was all it took. A wave of people surged toward me, demanding their gifts back. Among them were some of my own relatives.
Liv, sweetie, I know this hurts, my own aunt said, not even trying to hide her greed. But who can resist an offer like this? Five thousand dollars! Do you know how little I make a month cleaning houses?