The little orphan, she was reborn

My sister stood beside our mother, her face beaming with smiles. But to me, her eyes betrayed a hidden malice. I looked into my mother's gentle gaze, and just like in my previous life, my father was nowhere to be found. Mother's affection, tinged with weakness, kept me trapped in that facade of a home, selfish and hollow, for a full nine years. The memory of my last life's miserable end still gnawed at my nerves, the image of my contorted, humiliated self hauntingly vivid. Turning to my sister, I feigned a bashful smile, secretly hoping for brighter days ahead. Realizing I couldn't escape the fate of adoption, I had to play along with Mother's wishes. I pleaded with her for a brief reprieve, to bid farewell to my friends at the orphanage. Since I couldn't escape the fate of adoption, I pleaded with my mother. I asked her if she could give me a little time to say goodbye to my friends at the orphanage. I couldn't just leave without a proper goodbye to my brother, who'd been with me for forever. This time, I refused to let our fates be torn apart again. Mother agreed, saying she would go talk to the director about the paperwork, and once I was ready, we could head home together. I returned to the dormitory building, gazing at the familiar room, unable to hold back my tears. In my previous life, after being adopted, I thought I was finally going to experience the life of an ordinary child. But in those final days, I found myself longing for the time I spent here instead. Despite the hardships, it was a time of tranquility and innocence. I tidied up my sparse belongings, summoning the courage to venture next door in search of my brother. It was he who bid me farewell this time last life. Pushing open the door, it revealed a standard eight-person dormitory, yet the person I longed to see was nowhere to be found inside. Could it be that in this second chance at life, many things have already changed? As I stepped out of the dormitory building, coincidentally, my mother and sister came looking for me. Without hesitation, I followed them into the car. Heading towards the source of that nightmare. Just like in the previous life, I pretended to be naive, gaping at the mansion, while my sister chimed in at the right moment. "Haven't seen anything like this before, have you? Father owns several of these big houses. Quickly wipe that drool off your face, or the servants will laugh at you!" Listening to these familiar words, I remembered how every time my sister kindly reminded me, I would become even more timid. I was already failing to please Father, fearing even the servants would look down on me. I obediently lowered my head, stealing a glance at my mother sitting in the passenger seat. Mother never spoke up for me, just as she never dared to oppose Father. If it weren't for the perpetual worry etched on her face, she would resemble a lifeless puppet, silent and devoid of vitality. The car came to a stop in the courtyard, and only after the three of us got out did Father hurriedly emerge from the house. Following closely behind him was the nanny who had taken care of me in my previous life, along with a group of servants. At this moment, Father appeared even more handsome and imposing than I remembered him from my last impression. Father, born into poverty, managed to marry into Mother's family thanks to his good looks and intelligence. Coincidentally, Mother had no interest in the family estate, so she entrusted it all to Father to manage, while she became a full-time homemaker. I watched as he walked towards Mother, his face adorned with a loving smile. As he emerged, a dark cloud seemed to loom over the mansion, suffocating and gloomy. Father had one arm around Mother and the other holding onto my sister, not sparing a glance in my direction. I didn't mind, quietly observing them as they portrayed a picture-perfect image of familial harmony. To any unsuspecting observer, it would be impossible to guess that the mother and daughter had just met for the first time, or that the couple had long been living separate lives despite appearances of bliss. The maid in front of me lifted her chin and sized me up, looking as if she wished she could kick me out immediately. Just like in the previous life, she was the same. Even before stepping inside, she gave me a stern warning. Already timid, I was afraid of doing anything wrong and upsetting the masters of this household, especially after hearing what my sister said in the car. I dreaded being sent back to the orphanage again. "Are you the orphan Mr. mentioned? A parentless kid like you, if it weren't for your decent looks, you'd have starved to death long ago." Even though I knew what she was going to say, hearing those words again still hurt. "Since you're here, behave yourself. Mr. is busy making money every day, so stay out of the main building unless necessary! Be careful not to upset Mr. and Miss, or they'll kick you out!" Watching the three figures vanish behind the gate, a chill spread throughout my body. My small hands clenched tightly behind my back, barely maintaining a calm facade. Unable to elicit the response she desired from me, the maid spat angrily and picked up the small bundle on the ground, dragging me towards the servants' quarters. As if afraid I might disobey and head to the main building, she dug her nails into my arm through the thin sleeve with force. Thanks to Father's connections, my sister and I quickly sorted out our enrollment procedures. This was the first time I stepped into the main building since arriving at our new home. Looking around, it was a house that seemed worlds apart from where I lived. Father sat at the head of the table, Mother nestled beside him. Though they appeared to be harmonious, I could tell from Mother's eyes that they were emptier than when I last saw her. "Here are your school uniforms and study supplies. Starting from next Monday, you'll be going to school. Don't embarrass me; I always come first wherever I go..." I looked at the brand-new uniforms laid out on the table. Just like the uniforms from the previous life, they were exactly the same, except for a few less holes and burn marks. Like my sister's uniform, they looked so fresh and bright. After Father's lengthy lecture, he found an excuse to send me away. Carrying my belongings, I headed out, but inexplicably turned back to glance at Mother. She was staring at my back without blinking. When our eyes met, her hollow gaze suddenly softened into a faint smile. I quickly turned away, but that smile had already etched itself into my heart. In my last life, when we parted ways, my brother and I made a pact that he would come here to see me every weekend. It was only during those times that someone was willing to listen to me and I could feel some joy in the world. But little did I know that later on, even this fleeting comfort would disappear. I regretted not leaving a note for my brother when I left the orphanage, so he would remember to come here and see me. With panic rising in my heart, I wondered if this time, there would be no comfort even for a moment. Still unwilling to give up hope, I made my way to the back door of the small building. This path, I could navigate it even with my eyes closed. Remembering my brother's first visit, I found myself pouring out my woes to him as soon as he arrived. "Brother, I thought I'd finally have my own little room, but turns out I still have to share, and it's not even as big as our dorm!" "Though it's not as big as the dorm, it's just for you two. The dormitory houses eight people, so your room is better than mine." His gentle voice echoed in my mind.