Guess Who Wins, Again

In my last life, Ruth and I were stuck in an orphanage, leaning on each other just to get by.

When we turned 17, two families came looking to adopt.

One was a butcher who sold pork at the market. The other? A flashy, rich couple who practically owned half the town.

Ruth didn't waste a second. She turned on the charm, buttering up the couple with fake smiles and teary pleas until they caved and picked her.

When it was my turn, though, she shoved me to the ground. "Daddy," she whined, clinging to the man's arm, "it'd be so much better if you just adopted me. I don't want anyone else stealing your love."

Older sister or not, I didn't stand a chance.

So, yeah, I got stuck with the butcher.

But life's funny like that. Later, everything flipped. The rich couple? Bankrupt, their empire crumbled, and Ruth? Back on the streets, broke and desperate.

Meanwhile, the butcher who adopted me wasn't just slicing pork anymore—he climbed straight to the top, becoming one of the most powerful figures in Ashport.

With his backing, I went from nobody to a corporate boss and political heavyweight. People admired me, feared me—sometimes both.

But Ruth stabbed me in the back. She stole classified company files, and when I turned her in to the cops, she lost it.

She went nuts in the police car, clawing at the steering wheel and swinging punches at the driver while screaming like a total maniac. "Suri, you miserable snake! The only reason you're better off is because you got a better dad!

"Why should you live better than me? I'll never accept it! If you're sending me to jail, I'll take you down with me!"

And then—BAM. The car smashed through the guardrail and flew off the highway, plunging into the river.

The crash killed everyone inside. Me included.

When I opened my eyes again, it wasn't heaven or hell—it was Ruth. She was clutching the hand of a middle-aged man, her voice sugary sweet.

"Mr. Butcher, please adopt me. I don't eat much, and I promise I'll be so good you won't even know I'm here."

That man? Jeremy Butcher. The guy who'd adopted me in my first life.

Hearing Ruth lay it on thick like that almost made me laugh. I got it instantly.

She'd been reborn too. And now? She was trying to steal my dad and hijack the future I'd worked hard for.

Nearby, a sleek, polished-looking woman tried to reason with Ruth, her expression awkward. "Ruth, we're a wealthy family. I'd spoil you rotten. Wouldn't you rather come with us and live in comfort?"

Ruth's face scrunched up like she'd just stepped in something nasty. She spat on the ground. "Ha! Your family's about to go bankrupt. What kind of 'comfort' could you possibly give me?"

Then she spun back to Jeremy, all sunshine and sugar, clinging to his arm. "Mr. Butcher, I don't know why, but I feel this... deep connection with you. You've got such a powerful presence—anyone can see you're meant for greatness.

"Please adopt me! I'll be the most obedient daughter you've ever had."

I almost laughed out loud.

In our last life, she couldn't stand Jeremy. She'd literally spat in his face once.

But now? Knowing he'd go from cutting pork to running the city, she was practically worshipping him.

It was crystal clear in this second life: Ruth was nothing but a leech.

Jeremy, who clearly wasn't used to being buttered up like this, lit up. He clasped Ruth's hand with his stubby fingers, laughing loud. "Alright, alright! From now on, you're my daughter!"

Meanwhile, the woman's husband looked ready to explode. "She cursed us for going bankrupt? What kind of twisted heart does a kid that young have?

"Come on, honey. We're NOT adopting her!"

Ruth's eyes darted around before she broke into crocodile tears, her face scrunched up like a tragic heroine. "I'm sorry, Mr. Carter, I didn't mean it. I misspoke."

Then, she shoved me forward. "Please adopt my sister instead. I promise she'll repay your kindness someday."

Benjamin Carter still looked like he was about to blow a gasket, but his wife, Miriam Payne, hesitated. She had that soft, bleeding heart written all over her face.

Sensing a chance, the orphanage director jumped in, pushing them to agree.