Chapter 5

Mom and Uncle Jared claimed that it was due to a mistake and out of necessity that they handed me over to Grandpa to raise back then. They hoped that I would give them a chance to make amends in the future.

I was already so vulnerable, having just lost my only relative, and was consequently taken in by their performance. Not only did I accept their reconciliation, but I also started helping Mom financially whenever she constantly feigned poverty and helplessness.

I could honestly say that my younger half-brother was brought up entirely on the money I earned. It was also because of this that Nathan had no objection to her coming to see me. After all, no one would ever reject a windfall delivered straight into their hands.

I was so foolish, believing I had found a home. I never expected that Mom and Uncle Jared merely viewed me as an unlimited cash dispenser. They shifted every single one of their burdens onto my shoulders, including Uncle Jared's illegitimate son, Matt—my "dear" cousin.

Mom ruthlessly deployed the concept of "shared trauma" to ensure I raised Matt for more than ten years, enduring all burdens without question.

I paid for his every need, including the best education. I became so focused on him that I neglected my own life entirely, remaining single into my later years.

In the end, all I received was pure deceit and malice from my family for my sacrifices. Mom and Uncle Jared covered for Matt after my death. I had been dismembered by Mom and thrown into the sewer. Mom and Uncle Jared even sold Grandpa's house and claimed the proceeds for themselves.

In the end, they all lived a peaceful, contented life as a harmonious family!

It was quite pitiful how I had to die once to finally see their true colors. I couldn't care less about the so-called empathy they were preaching.

I wasn't the one who made the choice to be born and subsequently be abandoned by Mom. I also didn't compel Uncle Jared to father his illegitimate son.

How could they possibly justify transferring their parental duties onto me?

I wanted all of them to get out of my life!

Mom misinterpreted my silence as a sign that I was beginning to yield.

She was still wondering about the note when she left the police station. She figured it might have simply been blown away by the wind since all of us claimed that we hadn't seen it. She believed that if I had known the baby's identity, I would never have reported it to the authorities.

Their fundamental error was believing I hadn't changed. They still saw me as the easy mark, the sucker who longed for affection.

That delusion was why she felt utterly justified in leaving the police station and immediately ambushing me with the baby.

It was quite unfortunate for Mom, though, because the moment I was reborn, all my past foolishness vanished. I now knew exactly what needed to be done.

Mom flashed a completely fake smile as she moved toward me with the baby, attempting to make me feel sorry for him because of his adorable face.

Yet, the instant my eyes fell upon Matt, I was overwhelmed by the memory of him plunging a knife into me in my past life. I recalled looking into his bloodshot eyes, the loathing in his voice, and the piercing coldness of his cruelty.

Why should I pity him? Who would pity me, then?

I was a single man who put all my energy into providing for him. I was technically his cousin, but I functioned as his parent. I never needed him to thank me or repay the favor later. I only hoped that he would grow up to be an honest, good man, following the example Grandpa had set for me.

Matt carried a hidden resentment toward me, incited by Mom and Uncle Jared's lies. He never paused to consider the obvious truth—had they possessed genuine affection for him, they wouldn't have forced me to raise him.

If I ever wanted a child who would obey me, I could have simply fathered one myself. Who was Matt to think so highly of himself?

I reflected on my past life and realized that my entire life's work had been utterly pointless. To expend more time and money on it was an exercise in utter futility.

I resolved that in this life, not a single penny of mine would be wasted on those heartless people.

I deliberately averted my gaze, choosing not to look at Mom and Matt.

Mom, skeptical of my cold indifference, secretly pinched the baby, and he wailed loudly.

She then exclaimed, "Oh dear, how pitiful! Does he want his cousin to hold him? You should go ahead and hold Matt, Damian. He seems to like you very much."