Chapter 1

My brother, Liam Thompson, harbored a decade of hatred for me.

The last time we argued, I left town alone and unexpectedly found myself caught in an earthquake.

Just as a hotel chandelier was about to crash down on me, Liam suddenly appeared, shielding me with his body.

"Skye, run! Don't look back!"

The chandelier fell heavily, shattering his spine, yet he looked at me with a relieved smile.

"Mom and Dad's dying wish was for me to take care of you. I did it."

"If there's a next life, I hope you never appear before our family again."

Someone held me back, forcing me to watch as my brother was completely buried beneath the rubble.

That night, having lost my last remaining family member, I didn't hesitate to leap into the river.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my birth family found me.

I saw Liam waiting outside the police station. I walked past him, heading straight for another boy behind him. "Brother," I called out.

"You don't remember anything at all?"

Officer Davies looked at me, pen in hand, unwilling to miss any detail.

"Try to think harder. Like, what's your last name? Roughly where do you live? Who's in your family?"

"You were seven or eight when you were abducted. You should have some memories, logically."

I lowered my gaze, speaking slowly.

"I was always beaten there. Once, I was hit on the head, passed out, and when I woke up, I couldn't remember much."

Officer Davies's eyes softened with sympathy.

She put down her pen. "It's okay. If you remember anything later, you can always contact us."

I left the police station, about to head towards the temporary lodging they'd arranged for me.

But then, I saw a familiar figure rushing toward me.

Liam?

My heart lurched.

In my past life, Liam had only come to pick me up reluctantly after the police contacted the Thompsons.

Why was he here already this time?

Liam's eyes lit up when he saw me, and he quickly closed the distance between us.

I was about to speak, but he beat me to it.

"I'm warning you, don't try to claim any relation. Our family already has a daughter."

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

Liam had been reborn too, no wonder…

He was afraid I'd return to claim my place, just like in my previous life, so he wanted to stop me first.

A bitter ache bloomed in my chest, but I looked up, feigning confusion.

"Who are you? What do you mean by 'our family'?"

Liam's expression turned suspicious.

"What game are you playing now?"

I pointed to my head and said, straightforwardly,

"I really don't know you. I got hurt here before, and I can't remember a lot of things."

A flicker of guilt crossed Liam's eyes when he heard about my injury, but it quickly vanished.

"I don't care if you're really suffering from amnesia or faking it. All you need to know is that the Thompsons' house isn't where you belong."

He paused, then continued.

"Even though we're strangers, I can give you some money and help you find an apartment until you're an adult, just because I feel sorry for you. As long as you don't go babbling to the police and disturbing my family."

I shook my head.

"Thank you, but I don't need it."

Ignoring his stunned gaze, I got into the waiting car.

I remembered Liam's smiling face just before he died in my previous life, saying he could finally be reunited with Mom, Dad, and Mia.

My heart twisted with an unbearable pang of sorrow.

He risked his life to save me.

But in his heart, he only ever had one sister…

Since they were so happy as a family of four without me,

Then let them continue to be happy in this life.