Chapter 1

The night my parents were kidnapped, my sister Bethany—a police officer—insisted on going bungee jumping with our adopted brother, Blake.

I didn't stop her. Instead, I called the police and prepared the ransom myself.

In my previous life, Bethany had skipped the trip with Blake to rescue our parents.

But during his bungee jump, Blake's cord snapped. He plunged into the ravine, and they never even recovered his body.

On my birthday, Bethany drugged me and dragged me to that same cliff.

"You orchestrated the kidnapping! You'd go this far just to compete for their love—you're a monster!"

"Blake is dead. You don't deserve to live either!"

When I opened my eyes again, I'd returned to the day my parents were kidnapped.

This time, Bethany didn't launch a rescue. She rushed to Blake's side instead.

Later, she nearly went insane with regret.

1

I jolted awake, my forehead drenched in sweat.

My heart hammered violently. The terror of freefall still clung to me as I took in my familiar bedroom.

I checked the time.

I'd been reborn.

I was back before it all began—the day my parents were kidnapped.

In five minutes, the kidnappers would call, demanding we prepare the ransom within an hour or they'd kill their hostages.

My name is Micah Bennett. I'm the son the Bennett family lost eighteen years ago.

I'd been back with my parents for less than a year, but they were my everything.

No matter what, I couldn't let the tragedy from my previous life happen again.

I rushed downstairs and stationed myself by the phone. Bethany followed close behind.

"Micah, who are you putting on this performance for? Mom and Dad aren't even home."

"Or did 'you' kidnap them?"

A mocking smile played on Bethany's lips.

In that moment, I knew for certain—she'd been reborn too.

Her expression seemed to say: Don't bother struggling. It's useless.

Without her parents to play along, this charade would end even sooner.

In my previous life, Bethany had been convinced I'd orchestrated the kidnapping to compete for our parents' attention and validation, to make them notice me.

I had no idea where she'd gotten such an absurd conclusion.

In this new life, Bethany decided to simply ignore my "trap."

"Micah, don't say I didn't warn you—conspiracy to commit a crime is still a crime."

"Don't come crying to me when you end up behind bars."

I wanted to respond, but the shrill ring of the phone cut me off.

Each ring pierced my heart.

Bethany acted as if she heard nothing.

Before leaving, a flash of contempt crossed her face.

"Do whatever you want. I'm going bungee jumping with Blake."

"They won't actually get hurt anyway. Don't bother me unless it's important."

That wasn't what she'd said in my previous life.

Back then, Bethany had used her years of investigative experience to quickly locate the kidnappers' hideout.

Within just one hour, she'd brought our parents home safely.

That day, my mind had been entirely consumed with worry for my traumatized parents. I hadn't noticed the suspicion and rage hidden in Bethany's eyes.

I only found out later, when I was dragged to that cliff.

During the rescue operation, Blake had called Bethany countless times.

When she didn't answer, he went bungee jumping alone—and the accident happened.

Now, the phone rang like a death knell, filling me with dread.

I answered. The kidnapper's voice came through clearly.

"Twenty million. You have two hours to get it ready, or your parents are dead."

My eyes widened in horror.

What? In my previous life, they'd only demanded ten million!

2

I gripped the receiver tightly, cold sweat pouring down my face.

It seemed the reality of this life differed slightly from the last. The kidnappers' location might have changed too.

My initial confidence suddenly turned to panic.

I begged through tears.

"Can you give me more time? I—"

They hung up.

I immediately reined in my emotions. I knew showing weakness to these criminals was pointless.

The priority was preparing the ransom and confirming their location.

My hand rapidly scribbled information on paper—everything I knew from my previous life.

There were two kidnappers, both young men. The location was one of their homes.

The ransom was ten million, to be deposited in the third trash can at the south entrance of the train station.

The kidnappers never got the chance to collect the money—Bethany raided their hideout before they could. Both the money and our parents were saved.

Remembering this, I immediately grabbed my phone and dialed 91