My brother hated me for ten years. The last time we fought, I left town alone and was caught in an unexpected earthquake. Just as a hotel chandelier was about to crush me, my brother suddenly appeared, shielding me with his body. “Sunny, run! Don’t look back!” The chandelier crashed down, snapping his spine. Yet, he smiled at me, a look of profound relief on his face. “Mom and Dad’s last wish—that I take care of you—I finally fulfilled it.” “If there’s a next life, I hope you stay far away from our family.” I was held back, forced to watch as my brother was completely buried under the rubble. That night, having lost the last person related to me, I jumped into the river without hesitation. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I was found. I saw my brother waiting outside the police station. I walked toward him, brushed past him, and called out to a boy behind him: “Brother.” … “You don’t remember anything at all?” The female officer looked at me, pen in hand, determined not to miss a detail. “Try to think. Like your last name, where you lived, or who was in your family?” “You were seven or eight when you were kidnapped. You should have some memories.” I lowered my eyes, speaking slowly. “I was constantly beaten there. Once, I was hit on the head and passed out. When I woke up, I couldn’t remember much.” The officer’s eyes filled with sympathy. She put down her pen. “It’s okay. If you remember anything later, you can call us anytime.” I walked out of the station, heading toward the temporary shelter they arranged for me. Then, I saw a familiar figure rushing over. My brother? My heart clenched. In the last life, the police contacted the Green family, and Zack Green reluctantly came to pick me up. Why was he here already? Zack saw me, his eyes lighting up. He rushed over in three quick steps. I was about to speak, but he beat me to it. “I’m warning you, don’t try to claim any relation. The Green family already has a daughter.” I understood instantly. Zack had been reborn, too. No wonder… He was afraid I would go back and claim my identity, so he rushed here to stop me. My heart ached, but I looked up, feigning confusion. “Who are you? What are you talking about, the Green family?” Zack looked at me with suspicion. “What trick are you pulling now?” I pointed to my head and said matter-of-factly, “I really don’t know you. I hurt my head before, and I can’t remember much.” Hearing about my injury, a flicker of guilt crossed Zack’s eyes, but it vanished instantly. “I don’t care if you’re faking or not. Just know this: the Green family is not the place for you.” He paused, then continued. “Even though we’re strangers, I’ll give you some money and find you an apartment until you turn eighteen. Just don’t run your mouth to the police or bother my family.” I shook my head. “Thank you, but I don’t need it.” Ignoring his stunned look, I got into the car the police arranged for me. I thought about Zack’s final moments, smiling as he said he could finally reunite with Mom, Dad, and his sister. My heart was heavy and bitter. He saved my life at the cost of his own. But in his heart, his sister was someone else... If their family of four was happy without me, then let them remain happy in this life, too. Chapter 2 At the shelter, I lay in bed, unable to sleep. Staring at the dark night sky, memories flooded in. In the last life, the police rescued me from the mountains that same year. I cried, giving them Mom and Dad’s names and address, thinking I was finally going home. But when I was brought back, there was a stranger—a different girl—in my house. Mom and Dad awkwardly explained that they adopted her because they were so heartbroken after I was kidnapped. Her name was Amy. They looked at me with complex eyes, as if I were a stranger who had suddenly intruded. They were warm and affectionate toward Amy, treating her like their true daughter. But... they used to love me the most. I broke down, screaming hysterically. I pointed at the girl, calling her a thief who stole the home that was rightfully mine. Mom and Dad scolded me, calling me selfish. I cried until my throat was raw. “I suffered so much! Why does she get to enjoy the love that belongs to me?!” Mom and Dad stared at me in silence. There was pity in their eyes, but also hesitation. That night, the girl left a note and quietly slipped away. She said she was going back to the orphanage; she didn’t want their family to be torn apart because of her. I was nervous. But Mom and Dad didn’t scold me. They just sighed, saying they would go to the orphanage to bring her back. They stopped my brother from going with them. “You stay with your sister. She just came home. You need to take good care of her.” They never came back. Their car crashed on the way to pick up the girl. All three of them died. From then on, my brother hated me. He hated me for ten long years. The thought made my throat tighten and my eyes burn. I wiped the tears away. Now, since I can’t go back to the Green family, I have to figure out what to do next. I’m under sixteen; I need a guardian. A name suddenly surfaced in my mind. Shane Yu. A skinny boy who always protected me during the beatings. In the last life, if it hadn’t been for him, the village idiot—the son of the family who bought me as a child bride—would have ruined me. When we were locked in the pigpen, shivering, he wrapped his only shirt around me. “I’m your big brother now. I’ll protect you.” We endured countless horrible days together. But later, he was sold to a different village. When I was rescued, the police said the people in his village had been rescued before us. In the last life, I wanted to find him. But the sudden tragedy in my family kept me from going. This time, I decided to find him. The next morning, I went to the police station at dawn. “Officer, I remember where my family is.” After giving my information, I turned to leave the station. But Zack Green suddenly grabbed my wrist, rushing in. “You tricked me again! You were faking it before!” “Why do you insist on going back to the Green family? We don’t want you.” His voice trembled, suppressing massive anger. “Don’t you get it? I already have a sister. Mom and Dad love her to death. They don’t need an extra daughter.” I yanked my hand away and kept walking. Zack was so angry his eyes were red. He suddenly yelled, “You were kidnapped! Why didn’t you just stay in the mountains forever?” His hysterical outburst was identical to when he had pointed at me after our parents died, screaming, “Why didn’t you die instead of them?” I raised my hand and slapped him hard. “Slap!” The loud noise silenced him instantly. “Who do you think you’re talking to?” I stared at him, asking deliberately. “People who get kidnapped deserve to die out there, in your mind?” The slap seemed to wake Zack up. He stumbled back a step, his eyes showing regret. “I’m sorry…” The female officer finally walked over, frowning as she shielded me. “Sir, watch your language. This young lady is looking for her family. Who are you to interfere?” Zack was silent for a while. Finally, he looked at me coldly and grabbed my arm. “You want to go home? Fine. Let’s go.” But I pulled my hand free. To his astonishment, I hid behind the female officer. “I am going home, but what does that have to do with you?” Chapter 3 “My brother’s name is Shane Yu, and he lives in S Province.” I spoke every word clearly to Zack. Zack froze, then looked at me in utter disbelief. “Skylar! You’ve got some nerve!” “Where did you get a brother named Shane?!” The officer immediately pulled me behind her, protecting me. She turned to Zack. “Young lady, do you know him?” I shook my head, my voice quiet. “No. And... my name isn't Skylar. It’s Shen.” Zack’s expression morphed into pure shock. He suddenly realized something. “You came back too, didn’t you?” I lowered my head, squeezing my skirt hem. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Skylar!” The hatred in Zack’s eyes was intense. “Do you think faking amnesia or playing dumb can erase the fact that you’re a murderer?” “You’re inventing a fake name to trick me.” He sneered. “What, you thought I’d be desperate to claim you?” “I won’t.” He stepped closer, his eyes scornful. “Fine. Your brother is Shane Yu? Go find him.” He stared at me triumphantly, convinced I would panic. “You’re a lunatic!” The officer snapped, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the police car. “Let’s go. Ignore him.” Zack panicked and chased after the car, banging on the window. “Where are you going?!” He only managed to inhale a lungful of exhaust. The car drove for a long time, finally stopping in front of a sprawling, beautiful house. I was surprised. Shane’s family must be wealthy. My confidence in moving in with him increased. We walked up and knocked. After a long wait, the door opened. The man standing there was tall and lean, with handsome features, but a sickly pale complexion. His messy hair partially covered his eyes. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing slender wrists. Seeing us, he froze. “Who are you?” “Brother, I’m your little sister!” I threw myself into his arms. His body went rigid, but he didn’t push me away immediately. “Skylar, are you crazy?” Zack suddenly rushed up the steps, yanking me away. He pointed at Shane, furious. “What are you doing? Do you know who he is? Jumping into his arms? What if he’s some creep?!” Zack looked disheveled and covered in dust, clearly having followed us the entire way. Just like in the last life, when he secretly followed me and then saved my life. I looked at him, my expression unreadable. “He’s my brother. What right do you have to insult him?” Zack laughed, the sound cold and angry. “He’s your brother? Skylar, open your eyes!” I countered, “If he’s not my brother, are you?” I stared at him, and I saw Zack open his mouth. The word “Yes” was practically on his tongue. But he stopped himself. He glared at me, finally scoffing, “You almost trapped me. I told you, I’m not your brother. You don’t deserve to be my sister.” I gave a self-mocking smile. The officer finally intervened, losing patience. “You two! Which one of you is her actual brother?!” Chapter 4 The moment I rushed into Shane’s arms, He recognized me. Seeing the pleading in my eyes, Shane sighed and turned to the officer. “I am her brother. Thank you for finding my sister for me.” Zack’s face was incredulous. “Fine. Great.” He looked at me darkly. “This wasn’t my choice. This is yours. Don’t regret it later.” He turned and walked away. Watching Zack leave, a bitter feeling surged inside me. Wasn’t this exactly what he wanted? Me staying away from the Green family? But why did he look so betrayed? After everyone left, I whispered to Shane, “I’m sorry for the trouble.” “Was that your biological brother?” Shane asked. “If you’re having family trouble,” Shane advised, “you should make up with them and go home.” I shook my head, the events of the last life flashing in my mind. I couldn’t go back. I was about to speak when my eyes caught the bottle of pills on the table that he hadn’t put away. Seeing the label, my heart sank. Looking at the man who was staring down, his expression unreadable, I grabbed Shane’s hand. “You once told me that if I didn’t have a home, you’d be my brother and take care of me forever.” My voice was shaking. “Does that promise still hold true?” Shane was silent for a very long time, so long that I thought time had stopped. Finally, he nodded. “It does.” I rushed to hug him happily. “Then from today on, you’re my real brother, and I’m your only sister.” I looked up at him. “We’re each other’s family.” “Now... Brother, I’m starving. I haven’t eaten all day.” Shane looked surprised. “Okay. I’ll go buy groceries. What do you want to eat?” “Scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Anything else is fine.” I said casually. Shane nodded and went out. I took the opportunity to sweep all the pills off the table and into a drawer. I pretended I hadn’t seen anything. But soon, a knock came at the door. “You’re back so fast?” I opened the door, only to see Zack Green standing there, his face stormy. “Why you?” Zack grabbed my hand without a word and pulled me outside. “Come with me.” I pulled my hand away. “Where are you taking me?” “Home! Skylar, stop playing games! Are you really going to stay with a random stranger?” Zack’s voice suddenly sounded tired. “Since we’re both back, let’s forget about the last life. Come home with me, be a good sister, and Mom and Dad won’t mistreat you. Just stop trying to compete with Amy…” I cut Zack off. “If I say the condition for me to come home is for Amy to leave, would you agree?” The air froze. Zack stared at me in disbelief. Then, hatred flared in his eyes. “I knew it! You’re evil by nature! Why do you have to drive Amy away?!” “I’m telling you, keep dreaming. Amy has been with Mom and Dad for years. They treat her like their own daughter!” “See?” I sneered. “I just brought up the possibility, and you reacted this strongly.” “The situation between Amy and me was unfair from the start!” My voice began to shake. “Did any of you ever consider my feelings? Did I choose to be kidnapped? Do you know how much I suffered during those years?” “Why should I just graciously accept having the love that was mine stolen by someone else?” “You were kidnapped because you were playing around!” Zack blurted out, “Who is to blame but yourself?” I looked up sharply, my eyes burning. “Are you sure I was playing around?” I walked toward him slowly. “Zack, you’ve been lying to everyone for so long. Have you started lying to yourself?” His face instantly turned white. I knew he remembered.
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