Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in my old bed at the orphanage. It was as if I had just woken up from an afternoon nap.

Disbelief crashed over me as I stared at everything around me.

Just then, Mrs. Jones burst into the room and clapped her hands excitedly to wake us up.

“Hurry and get ready! Two families are coming to adopt you today.”

The room erupted into motion. Kids scrambled out of bed, pulled on their best clothes, combed their hair, and washed their faces.

It was a ritual we had learned over the years. One had to move fast and look presentable, or one might be left behind.

One of the older kids ran out to scope the situation and came back practically vibrating with excitement.

“One of the families looks loaded. Designer clothes and the whole package. But I’m probably too old for them.”

“What about the other one?”

“Uh… Just one guy. He’s dressed as if he crawled out of a junkyard.”

We had long since learned how to read people and suck up to whoever looked powerful. Naturally, we all mocked the idea of a scrap collector thinking he had any business adopting a child.

Simon let out a scoff and shook his head, like he was disappointed in everyone’s lack of vision.

Then, he grabbed my arm. “Come on, Wesley. Let’s go take a look!”

He carried himself with a depth of calculation that did not belong to someone his age.

That was when it hit me. He had traveled back in time, too.

If I was not mistaken, his target this time was the scrap collector standing not far away, Ronald Weber.

Simon had always known how to sweet-talk adults.

The moment he approached, Mrs. Jones beamed and eagerly introduced him to the Harrisons.

“Simon is bright and well-behaved. He’s a very polite and wonderful child.”

Listening to Mrs. Jones, the Harrisons took in Simon’s delicate, well-groomed features and nodded in approval.

However, the ever-polite Simon suddenly looked horrified. He shoved Margaret Harrison’s hand away.

“Don’t touch me! I’m not going with you!”

Then, he bolted across the room and threw himself at Ronald, whom the other children had mocked just moments ago. Simon wrapped his arms tightly around his leg.

He burst into tears on cue. Snot and tears ran together, as if he had just found a long-lost relative.

“Sir, I felt close to you the moment I saw you! Please take me with you!”

Ronald froze for a second. Then, his face lit up with disbelief and joy. It was the first time someone had chosen him so decisively.

Margaret clearly was not prepared for something like that. Her hand remained suspended midair as she stared at Simon at a loss.

Jack Harrison turned to Mrs. Jones with anger in his eyes. He demanded an explanation.

Mrs. Jones rushed forward and yanked Simon up from the floor, where he knelt and cried hysterically.

“Simon, what are you doing?”

He struggled and shouted, “Leave me alone! I want to go with this man!”

He shook off Mrs. Jones’s grip and clung to Ronald’s leg again. He muttered under his breath, “This time, no one’s taking my wealth and status away from me.”

Mrs. Jones flung her hand aside in frustration. She was utterly disappointed. In the end, she had no choice but to let him be.

Once he had secured what he wanted, Simon ran back to stand in front of the Harrisons. He instantly switched back to his obedient, well-mannered persona.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. With a flattering smile, he introduced me. “I’m sorry, sir, ma’am. I just feel like I’m meant to go with that man, so I couldn’t accept your adoption. This is my brother. He’s just as smart and well-behaved as I am. Taking him would be the same as taking me with you.”

Simon was trying to shove me onto the same path he had taken in the previous timeline. He wanted me to enjoy a short-lived taste of wealth and privilege, only to be thrown out later and mocked by everyone.

Only then did Mrs. Jones seem to notice me. She quickly said, “Wesley may not talk much, but he’s really obedient and very sensible.”

After Simon’s outburst, the Harrisons decided they wanted a quiet, compliant child instead. Just like that, they chose me and took me home with them.