Chapter 2

Justin's room wasn't ready yet, so my parents told him to share a room with me for the time being.

The thought of breathing the same air as a scumbag like him disgusted me, so I packed my things, wanting to camp in the living room for the night.

Justin followed me into the room, sweeping all my neatly arranged textbooks and school supplies onto the floor, then placing his own backpack on my desk.

Unlike in my past life, I remained cold and unbothered. My attitude made Justin drop the act immediately. "Why does a nobody like you get to have such a loving family, while a genius like me has to suffer so much? Just you wait. This family will belong to me someday!"

I continued packing without even looking at him. "I don't care that much about them. If you want them, take them. You're only good enough for whatever I don't want."

Justin's chest heaved with anger, but he quickly calmed down. A sinister look flashed across his face. "You won't be so smug for much longer."

He ripped the stack of certificates he'd brought with him to shreds. Then he clutched the scraps to his chest and ran out of the room.

"Marco, please don't tear up my certificates! They're my last memories of my old school! I'm sorry. Someone like me doesn't deserve to share a room with you…"

My parents and Tiana rushed over after hearing the commotion. They found Justin sitting amid the torn-up certificates, crying his eyes out, his small body curled into a ball. He looked utterly pitiful.

Tiana picked up one of the scraps and exclaimed, "First place in the National Elementary School Math Competition! With an award like that, he could easily get into a top high school, and Marco tore it to pieces!"

Justin wiped away his tears, looking hurt as he tried to act like the bigger person. "I must have upset Marco. That's why he did this. It's all my fault."

Mom quickly cleaned his face with wipes, her eyes full of sympathy. "How could it be your fault? We've spoiled Marco rotten."

Meanwhile, Dad's face and neck flushed with anger. He couldn't understand why Justin was so well-behaved while I wouldn't even accept my adopted brother and kept bullying him at every turn.

I walked out of the room, my gaze firm. "Justin was the one who tore up those certificates. It has nothing to do with me."

Tiana immediately shrieked and stepped in front of Justin. She glared at me furiously and pointed an accusing finger at me. "Who would tear up their own certificates for no reason? Marco, you don't even bother to make your lies believable now! How did I never realize you were like this?"

Dad roared, "Marco, you've really let me down! How did I end up with a son like you? Can't you learn from Justin and be a little more sensible? At least give us some peace of mind."

I glanced at them indifferently.

Justin was really something. He'd been in our house for just one night, and he'd already won everyone over. The moment he shed a few tears, Mom and Dad acted like the sky was falling.

What about me? Who would notice how hurt I was?

In my past life, I was indeed jealous of Justin because he was way better than me at school. We had a few minor conflicts at first, but I soon accepted him as my younger brother.

But Justin took advantage of my trust. He turned around and smeared my name in front of Mom and Dad. By the time I realized what he was doing, the rift between my parents and me was already beyond repair.

But in this life, I had all the memories of my past life and the mind of an adult. How could Justin, who was still an elementary school kid, possibly be a match for me?

In the end, to keep me from bullying Justin, my parents decided to let him sleep with them for the night. They kept reassuring Justin as they led him away, and not one of them looked back at me.

It was as if I was the one who'd ruined their happy family.

I quietly closed the door, shutting out the sight of their happy family moment.

I'd sworn long ago that I wouldn't let their blatant favoritism hurt me anymore.