Chapter 1

When I died again in a foreign land, my parents and my brother Harold Davis were gathered around the frail Ayden Campbell.

The previous life ended the same way.

No matter how hard I fought, my family was always drawn to the adopted Ayden.

They left me behind.

After being reborn, I decided I was done struggling. I gave up.

But this time, I came out on top.

1

I opened my eyes to a familiar ceiling. My brother Harold Davis stood nearby.

This was the day Ayden Campbell was adopted.

My dad had served in the army years ago, and Ayden was the son of his fellow soldier, who had saved his life.

After Ayden's parents died in an accident, and with his congenital asthma, my parents took him in to ensure he was cared for.

"Shawn, Harold, this is Ayden. He will be your brother from now on. He's not well, so look after him, okay?" my mom said, holding Ayden's small hand, her voice dripping with warmth.

In my past life, this was where it all started. I resented the attention Ayden got, complained about not wanting a new brother, and got scolded for it.

Even now, reborn, seeing Ayden's weak, delicate act made my skin crawl.

A boy pretending to be as frail as a flower, clinging to everyone-it was infuriating.

Harold didn't mind. He seemed pleased with this innocent-eyed, soft-spoken brother.

When I stayed silent, staring at Ayden, my dad walked over and patted my head. "Shawn, be good. Ayden's younger and fragile. You'll set a good example, right?"

My chest tightened.

Suddenly, I was the big brother, expected to dote on Ayden and yield to him.

If I showed even a hint of reluctance, the whole family treated me like I'd committed a crime.

But I was the Davises' biological son.

For years, I had everything I wanted. Then Ayden showed up, and all the love and attention I'd known was stripped away.

In my past life, I hated him for it, only to be called selfish and cold by everyone.

"Shawn?" Ayden's timid voice came from behind my mom.

His eyes shimmered with tears, as if I were some terrifying monster.

That frail act again, making it seem like I'd done something to him.

In my past life, whenever he pulled this, my family accused me of bullying him, and our conflicts only grew worse.

Seeing him peek at me from behind my mom, playing the same game, I felt nothing but boredom.

When I didn't respond, my mom and dad turned to me.

My mom spoke, her tone sharp with disapproval. "Shawn, Ayden just got here. Don't be difficult."

It was the same as last time.

"Think what you want. I don't care." I turned and headed upstairs, ignoring the cozy family of four below.

For ten years, my parents had cherished me. But the moment Ayden arrived, I became the outcast, blamed for everything, even when I did nothing.

My parents didn't stop loving me, but their love was cheap. A few tears from Ayden, and they couldn't see their own son anymore.

Anything that could be taken so easily wasn't worth having.

If Ayden wanted to play his games to win them over, he could have them. I didn't care.

2

I returned to my room, tired of the same old losses.

This life, I wouldn't fight Ayden for anything.

Not my parents, not Harold, not even the fiancée he'd eventually charm.

I wanted none of them.

My goal was the National Defense Academy.

The top-tier special recruitment after the exam would get me into an elite unit, where I'd rarely come home.

It was the perfect school for me.

To get in, I needed exceptional exam scores.

My parents tried to get me to bond with Ayden, but his fake innocence grated on me.

He acted so delicate, neither boy nor girl, and I couldn't stand it.

Yet my mom, my dad, and Harold ate it up, treating him like he was made of glass.

As I studied the academy's requirements in my room, I heard Ayden's knocks.

This was the second time. He always showed up after ten at night, offering some pointless glass of milk.

I'd never liked the stuff.

"Shawn, I brought you some milk," his voice came through the door. "Open the door, please. Milk's good for you. Shawn..."

He wouldn't stop. If I ignored him, he'd knock for half an hour, like he couldn't take a hint.

I yanked the door open and snapped, "I've told you I don't want it. Stop bothering me."

"Shawn," Ayden said, holding up the glass, his eyes cautiously meeting mine. "Milk's really good. Try it. You'll like it."

When I didn't respond and moved to shut the door, his voice trembled. "Please don't be mad. I know you hate me. If you don't want me here, I can go to an orphanage."

Out of nowhere, Harold appeared, shoving me against the wall.

Pain shot through my shoulder.

He stood in front of Ayden like a shield. "What's your problem? He's just trying to give you milk. What's with your attitude?"

My parents, hearing the commotion, chimed in. "You're too stubborn, Shawn. When will you be as thoughtful as Ayden, bringing you milk like that?"

There it was again. Ayden peeked at me from behind them, a faint smirk in his eyes.

Watching this loving family, anger burned from my chest to my face. I sneered, "Guess I'll never be as perfect as your precious Ayden. So go fuss over him and leave me alone."

Before they could respond, I slammed the door shut.

I could still hear Ayden's exaggerated voice. "It's my fault. Shawn doesn't like me. Maybe I should go to an orphanage."

Harold comforted him softly. "It's not your fault. Shawn's just narrow-minded. Stay away from him. We'll make him apologize later."

My parents agreed. "Yes, we'll have him apologize. He'll come around."

Ayden gave a small, vague hum.

I leaned against the door, fists clenched. It was always like this. Ayden shed a few tears, and no matter what happened, they blamed me.

They expected me to apologize like it was only natural.

I was done with this life.

After that, similar incidents with the milk happened a few more times.

I refused to play along, rejecting him outright, which only made my family resent me more.

As if he'd figured out his place in the Davis household, Ayden stopped trying to win me over. Instead, he played the sweet, clingy act with my mom, my dad, and Harold, and they quickly became inseparable.

3

I buried myself in studying. The National Defense Academy was a top school, and with my average talent, I had to work twice as hard to get into its best program.

Soon, my birthday arrived.

My parents promised a trip to the amusement park to ride my favorite roller coaster.

Even knowing they favored Ayden, I was thrilled and left two hours early.

The sky was clear. My mom, my dad, and Harold fussed over Ayden, asking if he needed water or a bathroom break.

I smirked from behind. Even a bottomless pit couldn't need that much attention.

Feeling warm, I bought myself an ice cream since no one bothered with me.

Ayden spotted it and whined that he wanted some.

My mom gently wiped sweat from his forehead. "Sweetie, you can't have ice cream with your asthma. It's not that good. How about your dad gets you some water?"

My dad shot me a glare. "Don't you know Ayden's condition? Why flaunt that ice cream in front of him? What kind of kid are you?"

Even Harold stormed over, bumping me as he rushed to Ayden. My ice cream fell, splattering on the ground, slowly melting into an ugly, crying face.

"It's my birthday. I just want to ride the roller coaster. What's his sickness got to do with me?" I said coldly.

"Shawn, don't be mad," Ayden said, looking at me timidly. "I won't eat it. I'll ride the roller coaster with you."

He was only three years younger, but acted like a toddler.

I knew this was his survival tactic- spying, pleasing, devouring, or isolating.

He stumbled toward me, deliberately falling my way.

I stepped aside, and Harold shoved me again, catching him. He glared at me like I was a monster. "What's wrong with you? Trying to hurt him? You know he has asthma. Why talk about the roller coaster in front of him?"

My dad followed up. "Look how scared Ayden is. If he fell, couldn't you help him? Why are you so selfish? Apologize to him."

I stood there, gripping my hands, staring at their perfect family of four.

The air grew heavy until Ayden's pained cry broke the silence. "Dad, I can't breathe!" He curled up in my dad's arms, gasping.

My dad scooped him up and rushed off. "If anything happens to him because you didn't catch him, can you live with that?"

Harold spat at me. "If anything happens to Ayden, I won't let you off." He ran after them.

I'd almost forgotten. In my past two lives, Ayden ruined my birthday the same way.

His asthma attacks were perfectly timed, like a well-rehearsed trick.

Only my mom remained in the park. Clinging to one last shred of hope, I grabbed her hand.

In my past lives, I'd begged and cried, not wanting to be abandoned on my birthday, only to be berated.

This time, I wanted to try holding on, hoping someone would see me. "Mom, can you stay with me?"

My mom glanced toward Ayden's direction, her voice soft but reluctant. "He seems really sick, Shawn."

"But he already has Dad and Harold," I said, meaning he didn't need her too.

My mom looked into my eyes, then slowly pulled her hand away. "Be reasonable, Shawn. Ayden's condition is serious, and as his mother, I can't ignore it. Next time, I'll make sure you have a proper birthday."

My mom didn't even arrange a ride home for me. She left without looking back.

The last flicker of hope in my heart faded, as if even the melted ice cream's crying face on the ground mocked me.

I threw the amusement park ticket and the ruined ice cream into the trash and went home alone.

I was just a ten-year-old kid. Why did my mom show no concern to me?

With a heart full of grievances, I sat on the living room sofa, waiting for them to return.

The living room light stayed on all night.

They didn't come back until the next morning. Ayden was surrounded like a star, the center of attention.

When my mom saw me in the living room, her face stiffened, as if she just remembered she'd left her own son alone at the amusement park.

My mom came over, stumbling over her words. "Shawn, you know Ayden wasn't feeling well, right? I remember your birthday. Next time, I'll make it up to you."

I studied her closely. In my last life, my mom said the same thing.

But Ayden's asthma always flared up on my birthday, yet never on his own.

I'd cried and argued about it before, but no one believed me.

Since Ayden came to our house, I never had a proper birthday again.

My mom's words were empty.

My stare made my mom's expression grow uneasy.

Ayden suddenly spoke up. "I'm sorry, Shawn. I ruined your birthday again. I'm so useless."

My mom hurried to hug his small head, her voice full of pity. "Don't say that, Ayden. It's not your fault."

She paused and looked at me. "Shawn understands..."

"Because Ayden's frail, and I'm the older brother, I should give in to him," I said coldly, finishing her thought.

My mom froze, then gave an awkward smile. "You're growing up, Shawn. You get it. Next time, all five of us will go to the amusement park together."

I scoffed inwardly. Next time? In my last life, I never went to an amusement park again until I died abroad.

Did Ayden's illness mean my birthday would always be ruined?

Why did my parents always expect me to accept Ayden without question?

"No thanks. I'm done with amusement parks." I turned to head upstairs.

My mom stopped me. "Shawn, don't be upset. I love you both the same. I'll make it up to you next time."

My dad nodded approvingly beside her but still looked at me with dissatisfaction, probably thinking I was being unreasonable.

Ayden spoke up again. "It's my fault for making you mad, Shawn. I'm sorry."

Harold pulled him close, glaring at me. "It's not your fault, Ayden. Shawn will forgive you. He didn't catch you when you fell and hasn't apologized yet, so you're even."

My parents gathered around Ayden. "Exactly. It's not your fault. Shawn won't hold it against you."

Not wanting to watch this perfect family of four, I went upstairs.

It was my birthday, and they'd all left me at the amusement park.

Ayden was the cause, yet everyone protected him and forgave him on my behalf. It was laughable.

Ayden's sick act was undeniably convincing.

4

Just like in my previous lives, Ayden never got sick on his own birthday.

When his first birthday in our house arrived, my parents threw him a grand party.

Compared to my birthday, when they'd abandoned me at the amusement park, Ayden stood in his little suit, surrounded like a prince.

One of us was ignored, the other adored.

They claimed to love us equally, but anyone could see the difference. My parents were something else.

I stayed in a corner, poking at a small cake, avoiding their celebration.

In my first life, I'd yelled at my parents for their favoritism, which triggered Ayden's asthma, and I got chewed out.

Now, I just let it be. I didn't want to get involved.

5

After the summer, I started my final year of elementary school.

Aiming for the National Defense Academy, I'd already studied middle school material. Unsurprisingly, I scored first in the school on the first exam, even breaking the previous record for total points.

Ayden's health was poor. If he studied too long, my family fussed, urging him to rest or offering fruit. Predictably, he came in last.

Back home, before I could say anything, he ran to my mom's arms, crying. "Mom, I'm so stupid. I got the worst score, and Shawn got first."

My mom comforted him right away. "You're not stupid, Ayden. Shawn studied months ahead, that's why he scored so high this time."

My dad chimed in. "Exactly. Shawn just memorized everything. You're so smart, Ayden. You'll do better when you're older, right?"

They showered Ayden with reassurance while I, the school's top scorer, was ignored.

To spare Ayden's feelings, no one mentioned grades at dinner that night.

I'd grown used to watching their loving family from the sidelines.

This life, focused on the National Defense Academy, I stayed upstairs studying, rarely coming down. I grew distant from them.

In my first life, I'd have flipped the table over my parents's favoritism.

6

After starting at the city's top middle school, I found myself among the best students and teachers.

My talent was average here, and getting first place wasn't easy.

Luckily, I had three years to work hard.

To escape the Davises sooner, I might need to skip a grade.

I threw myself into studying at school, rarely going home unless necessary.

My family grew used to Ayden as their youngest son, and we drifted further apart.

Three years later, after the summer, I dragged my luggage home alone.

The house was empty.

"Keith, where's my mom?" I asked the housekeeper.

"Well... today's Ayden's last day of school. Your mom and the others went out to celebrate," Keith said, looking embarrassed. "Have you eaten, Shawn?"

They celebrated Ayden's school break, but no one even asked if I was on break?

I knew people played favorites, but my parents took it to another level.

I ordered takeout and was about to head upstairs when I noticed my room had become Ayden's. Even the family portrait had been replaced with one of their perfect family of four.

My presence was being erased bit by bit.

I sat silently in the living room until nine at night when my parents finally returned.

Ayden, a bit older now, still had that clear, pleasant voice.

Before they entered, I heard him. "Mom, I didn't do well on my exams, and you still got me gifts. If this keeps up, you'll spoil me."

"Spoil you? Fine by me. We've got a family business, so you don't need to study hard. You're my youngest, who else would I spoil?" my mom's gentle voice followed.

When they saw me, they froze, like they'd seen a ghost.

"Shawn?" My mom glanced at Ayden, then looked to my dad for help, guilt in her eyes.

My dad's first words were a scolding. "You're old enough to tell us when you're coming home."

I stayed silent. My mom sat beside me cautiously. "Shawn, don't be upset. I didn't know you were on break today. How'd your exams go? Tell me."

Ayden sat next to me. "Shawn, don't be mad. I did poorly, so Mom took everyone out to cheer me up. Next time, tell her in advance, and she'll know."

I glanced at him, then at my mom's guilty face. "Did Ayden tell you when his break was? No, you planned his break months ago-when he'd finish, where you'd go. The only one you don't ask about is me."

"What's that supposed to mean? Stop being so snide," Harold said, stepping in front of Ayden, ready to argue. "We treat you and Ayden the same. You're the one who's distant and difficult. Who's to blame for that?"

Before Ayden came, I was Harold's closest brother. He'd promised to always stand by me.

"The same as Ayden?" I sneered, standing up. "His break gets a family celebration. Mine? No one even knows I'm home. My room's his now. The new family portrait doesn't even have me in it."

I looked around at them. My mom stood frozen. My dad stared at the portrait, silent.

I laughed bitterly. "Except for Keith, who even remembers I'm part of this family? You say you treat me and Ayden the same? Who are you kidding?"

"It's different because of your attitude!" Harold shouted, eyes blazing like I was his enemy. "You act like everyone owes you something. Nobody does! If you're so great, stop being a Davis! You hate Ayden, don't you? What good does that do? I'm the one who can't stand you and your lifeless act. If you're so tough, stop being my brother!"