Chapter 5

It wasn't until they left that Mom realized it was my birthday and sent me some money. She even lied to me, saying she and Dad were working overtime.

But then I saw Edward's story, and when they came back, I lost it.

Edward cried and said he wanted to go back to the orphanage, so Dad pinned my head down and made me apologize to him.

Snapping out of the memory, I tapped on his story.

Edward was holding up a lightstick, flashing a peace sign at the camera.

There was also a family photo of the four of them, with the concert venue in the background. Yes, the four of them, without me.

All of them were smiling happily.

They said they were working overtime so they couldn't celebrate my birthday, and they sent me a bit of money.

Yet, on the same day, they took Edward to a concert without bringing me along. They even lied to me.

This happened in both lifetimes.

I suddenly felt a little sick.

…

Time flew by. I got into a key high school as I had hoped, and I successfully applied for a dormitory.

To avoid Edward, I didn't even go home on weekends or holidays. I handed out flyers to make some pocket money.

Now that school was out for the summer, I didn't have a good reason to stay here, so I packed my stuff.

It seemed that in the past few months without me at home, the four of them had grown even closer, closer than me, their flesh and blood.

No one was in the living room when I got home. I didn't care and just dragged my suitcase upstairs.

But when I opened the door to my room, everything inside wasn't how I remembered it to be.

My bed and desk were gone. They were replaced by a few expensive computers and gaming chairs, along with a white screen for projecting movies.

Hearing the noise, Edward took off his headphones and raised an eyebrow smugly when he saw me.

"Well, if it isn't Nick. You finally decided to come back. See? Mom and Dad remodeled your room into my gaming room. Sometimes, the whole family watches movies here together. I told you I'd drive you out of the family, and this is just the first step."

I kicked the door wide open with a loud bang, glaring at him coldly.

He curled his lips and sat on the floor, lifting his chin as he said to me, "This is no longer your house."

Furious, I was about to fire back when he immediately started crying loudly.

"Nick, don't kick me out…"

Juliana was the first to run in. She shoved me aside, crouching next to Edward in a panic.

"Ed, what's wrong?"

Edward leaned against Juliana's shoulder with teary eyes. "Jul, it's all my fault. I just wanted to relax and play games a little. Don't fight because of me. A family should be peaceful and loving.

"Nick hasn't been home for a long time. He must really miss Mom and Dad. If it bothers him, I can leave. I'm at an age where I should be independent, anyway."

After saying that, Edward coughed hard a few times, his body swaying as if he was about to faint.

Juliana immediately supported him and shouted at me, "Nicholas, do you have to stir up trouble the moment you get home? Why do you have to upset him like this? You're a damn curse! Whenever you're here, no one in this house can relax.

"Ed doesn't owe you anything. In fact, he's always spoken up for you. What about you? You come in the door and try to kick him out. Are you even human?"