Born to Stand Trial: My Parents vs Me

This was a world where everyone could join the verdict, and conviction was decided by votes.My brother and I, both in a vegetative state, had sensory caps forced onto our heads. In an instant, our consciousness was uploaded onto the massive screen above the judgment table.The rebirth trial was about to begin. The screen displayed the two names on trial—Emma Harper and Ethan Harper.When our names appeared, the live chat exploded."That's that internet-famous family, right? I heard their parents favor the daughter and treat the son like crap.""Yeah, Emma made headlines recently. She ran naked on the streets. Can you believe it?""That's nothing. I heard she's violent and sleeps around.""Gross. No way I'm voting for her."The insults kept flooding the live chat. Just then, the judge's gavel sounded sharply.The judge on the platform announced solemnly, "The rebirth trial begins now. The applicants presented charges of parental disrespect, assault, and murder."The public wi

"Gross. You ruined my shoot. Now get down there and lick up your mess," Dad said while pinching his nose before walking away.I curled up beside my own vomit, sobbing in silence. The video cut to a pause.The courtroom and the live chat erupted into a heated frenzy."The video is worlds apart from those photos. Emma is actually living a nightmare.""Damn. Her parents acted like they adored her and ignored Ethan in the videos they posted. I guess the internet really is full of lies.""Daughter-centric content gets more views these days. They were just milking her for profit.""Sure, it's a pity Emma was abused by her parents, but what does that have to do with Ethan?"Dad's and Mom's perfect influencer personas were completely shattered.Their faces flushed between pale white and livid red as they stared at my mental projection with pure hatred.I knew that if I were physically there, they would have torn me limb from limb.The memory video resumed.I was clutching Ethan's th

"You ungrateful bitch. How dare you hit me! You must have a death wish. Do you have any idea how much I paid your parents?" the man growled.It felt like an eternity before he finally stopped the assault.My face throbbed with a searing pain, and warm blood from my nose slicked my chin.Through a daze, I heard him pick up the phone."Get a few guys over here. I've got an influencer here."The words jolted me awake. The moment he stepped out to tend to his head wound, I scrambled out the window.Fortunately, I was on the first floor. I still had a slim chance of survival.Otherwise, if the fall didn't kill me, I would have been tortured to death in that room.Terror fueled my sprint out of that hellhole. I wandered the city streets in the dead of night, looking like a lonely ghost.The next day, Dad and Mom tracked me down and dragged me home.By then, the video of me running naked through the streets had already gone viral."Oh god. I feel so bad for Emma.""I remember when

With that, Ethan and Mom left the house. Only Dad remained, staring at me with a cold gaze.He made a quick call. Ten minutes later, four massive thugs walked in."The guests will still be coming over. Don't even think about running. These men will be watching you 24/7."I didn't say a single word. I was busy calculating the odds of escaping from four grown men.But no matter how I looked at it, the chances were zero.Dad huffed when I ignored him. "Don't blame me, Emma. It's just your luck."He left without explaining that cryptic remark. After that day, I never saw them again.Being watched by four strangers was surprisingly better than before. At least no one was forcing pills down my throat. I finally had the energy to walk and even run.One day, when Mr. Wang opened the door, I took the chance to stab him with a sharpened toothbrush.Mom, Dad, and Ethan rushed back, groveling at Mr. Holland's feet.Dad pleaded, "This is that bitch's fault, Mr. Holland. Please be the bigg

Dad, on the other hand, looked completely unhinged. He kept muttering, "No way. This can't be real. All the luck was mine. How could I be convicted?"Both of them mentioned the word "luck", leaving everyone confused.Had they lost their minds?Suddenly, the Mirror of Retribution flashed red, and a piercing alarm blared."Alert. Alert. Abnormal memories were detected for Archie Harper and Katherine Austin. Loading complete. Beginning playback."Inside their bedroom, Mom grabbed Dad's hands and laughed with excitement. "You're Archie, and I'm Katherine. Then our daughter must be that lucky star."Dad smiled broadly, his eyes bright. "I didn't expect to transmigrate into such perfect identities. I remember that as long as we abuse that lucky star hard enough, all her luck will transfer to us."They gazed at each other, full of affection."Then what are we waiting for? Let the lucky star be born."The scene changed, revealing Katherine frowning at her phone. "The views are terribl