Rosie shot Stuart a quick glance before stammering, “Oh, she… she’s my friend. We found the baby together,”
I listened to their pathetic lie, like I was some fool, and suddenly smiled. Turning away, I spoke with deliberate indifference. “Either way, I’m not adopting a mentally impaired kid. A mute? Even worse. Sigh… If he were normal, maybe I’d consider it, raise him like my own. But like this? No chance,”
At my dismissive words, the woman’s hands clenched, veins popping beneath her pale skin.
As if I hadn’t noticed, I turned and walked off, not giving Start a chance to argue or sparing the baby a second glance.
In my past life, I’d given Peter everything. He was good–looking, played piano and drew paintings like a prodigy, stacked up awards, and had teachers and classmates wrapped around his finger. The school’s golden boy. Their white knight.
But this Peter? He might end up mute. Brain–damaged.
His perfect future was gone for good.
‘Peter, this time, your downfall has nothing to do with me. If you want to blame someone, blame your real parents.
I had no idea that the moment that rescued baby opened his eyes, a flicker of confusion and panic flashed through
them.
Peter had been reborn too.
***
Some time passed. Under the threat of “divorce if you insist.” Stuart finally, reluctantly, gave up on adopting the kid.
Instead, Rosie took him in.
Funny enough, just like in my past life, he still ended up as Peter Peat‘–this time, with Rosie’s last name.
Feigning ignorance, I waited for Phoebe’s birthday. Then, with a sweet smile, I fastened the silver bracelet I’d originally promised her onto Peter’s wrist.
“Phoebe, be a good girl. Peter’s younger than you. You should let your little brother have it, okay?”
Phoebe shrieked and lunged to snatch it back. “Why?! Why? He’s not my brother! He’s a bastard! Daddy! Kick him out! He’s stealing my stuff!”
“Phoebe!” Rosie yanked her back, forcing an embarrassed sinile. Stuart’s face darkened, while Rosie’s husband barely reacted, mumbling a few words–probably just to keep up appearances with Stuart.
I watched, thoroughly entertained.
