Back then, Dad really wanted custody of me.

After all, I was the ever-compliant child.

But that day, I lost it. I cried, threw fits, and even told him he was a no-good cheater, not deserving my custody.

It infuriated him enough to insist on taking my brother instead.

Mom grew to despise me too, blaming me for separating her from her beloved son.

She seemed to forget one thing, though.

"Your dad, that lowlife, probably has someone on the side. He hasn't been home in forever!"

That was her constant refrain in my ear.

I felt so sorry for her. She needed me, and I felt it was my duty to protect her.

Yet, I never stopped to ask why.

Why didn't she share these bitter feelings with my brother?

"Karen, enough with the nonsense. I've told you, I didn't cheat," Dad interrupted her tirade.

"If you want a divorce, so be it. Jessie chose me. You take the boy, sign the papers, and let's call it quits!"

Truth was, Jim Rivers had never strayed. After the divorce in my previous life, he'd returned to his job abroad and stayed single.

But driven by sheer paranoia, Mom kept badgering me, slowly turning me against Dad.

Eventually, I realized I was nothing more than her venting outlet.

And who needs to shower love on a venting outlet?

Jim swiftly signed the divorce papers and slid them across to Karen.

She muttered curses under her breath but finally loosened her grip on my brother, ready to sign her part.

"Really, Jessie? You go with Dad and expect me to struggle with Mom?"

My brother finally spoke up, his adolescent voice cracking.

"She's been nothing more than a maid for over a decade. What's she good for? Are we going to starve?"

"You're the selfish one, Jessie! You traitor!"

His bitter words matched the harshness of his tone.

Looking at Johnny Rivers, his face oily and pimpled with adolescence, his expression angry and twisted like what it was when they were in their new place in the past life, it was a stark contrast to any childish innocence.

The rebirth dizziness was still messing with me. I grabbed a cup of water from the table, hoping to settle my stomach.

"Johnny, can't you read? Ignorance isn't just bliss, it's a disease that needs curing."

"This divorce? Dad's walking away without a cent."

"You sure that's the smart choice, sticking with him?" I challenged, silencing Johnny immediately.

Johnny had always been greedy and self-centered, all thanks to Karen's pampering.

Last time, she blew all her savings—and mine—on him just for a hint of affection.

No money? I bet he'd bolt faster than anyone.

"Oh, Johnny, Mom's got cash. It's all for you to spend. She'll make sure you're taken care of!" Karen cooed, her voice dripping with sycophancy.

"Whatever you need, honey, Mom's got you. Ignore your cold-hearted sister."

She then whispered a few words into Johnny's ear.

His face shifted subtly, a glint of excitement appearing.

I knew all too well what Karen had promised.

After the divorce, Jim kept the house he'd bought before they were married. The rest of the savings went straight to Karen.

In my previous life, I was clueless about this deal.

Life post-divorce was a financial struggle.

Karen handed me just five bucks a day—enough for a plain plate of spaghetti with a side of pickles at the school cafe.

High school was tough, and I was still growing; a single bowl was never enough.

But I knew money was tight, so I kept my complaints to myself.

That was until I saw her dropping off lunch at my brother's school.

A box full of jumbo shrimp and a plate of beef that had been stewed till it fell apart.

Seeing that spread, teenage me almost drooled.

"Mom, what are you doing here? I thought you were at work?"

Karen's face flickered with embarrassment when she saw me.

"Mind your own beeswax, kiddo. Your brother needs his strength. You think cafeteria food's gonna make him tall?"

Karen got more defensive the more she spoke.

Then, patting my brother on the head, she said with a sigh, "I worry about him, you know. Ever since your dad dumped him at that boarding school, it's like he doesn't even care. That son of bitch!"

I glanced at my brother, not even out of middle school and already heavyset, then down at my own scrawny uniform.

No words came out...

I felt like a rat peeking out from the sewer, spying on someone else's happiness.

Mom, am I not your kid too?