1

626words2026-01-26 09:09

I lay in the dark coffin,desperately clawing at the walls,the triumphant laughter of my the Harper family’s decade-long exploitation echoing in my ears.
Mrs.Harper laughed,“Claire,you were such a blessing to our family.”
Mr.Harper said,“Claire,don’t blame us.Blame your circumstances.”

Jessica Harper declared arrogantly,“Claire,we fed you well,dressed you finely for years.We’ve done our duty.Rest now,and bless our family from heaven.”
In the deep earth,my breath faded,consciousness began to drift.
I was reborn,back to the day the wealthy Harper family came to the orphanage to adopt me.
…
I was reborn,back to the day the Harper family came to the orphanage.
Like in my last life,this adoption wasn’t mutual.I was unilaterally informed that the Harpers had claimed me as their foster daughter,taking their surname and renaming me Harper Claire.And they also called me Seventeen.

The name Seventeen?I was the seventeenth child taken in by the orphanage .
Maybe it was an unlucky name—I died at seventeen.
When the butler,Mr.Thompson,came to fetch me,the adoption papers had already been processed.All I had to do was board the Harper family’s car,and by nightfall,I’d meet my new parents.
Amid the envious looks of my peers,Mr.Thompson led me out.

In my last life’s final moments,trapped in endless darkness,I breathed thinning air,painfully meeting death.
In the luxury car,I raised my hand.The small hand,chapped but unscarred,wasn’t the bloodied,mangled fingers I remembered from clawing the coffin.
Before leaving,my friends and teachers said the same things as in my last life.
“Claire,I’m so jealous!The Harpers are adopting you—no more hunger or cold.”
“Claire,I heard the dean say the Harpers are the city’s richest.Money for lifetimes!Come back to visit us.”
“Claire,the Harpers picked you just from your file.You’re so lucky.They donated tons to the orphanage because of you.Be good,don’t upset them.”
Last life,heeding the teachers’ advice,I lived cautiously in the Harper household,terrified of causing trouble.
Facing Jessica’s abuse,I hid my bruises,fearing Mr.and Mrs.Harper’s disappointment.
But they always knew about my wounds—they just chose to watch coldly.
The car pulled into the Harper villa.
The garden,after the winter yet blooming vibrantly,didn’t spark the excitement of my last life.
Over a decade,I’d grown numb to their ostentatious wealth.
Besides,this was my burial ground last time.
Expressionless,I let Mr.Thompson guide me through the garden into the villa.
“Sir,Madam,Miss Claire is here.”
Facing the elegantly dressed,refined middle-aged couple,I showed none of last life’s warmth or flattery.
They buried me alive,after all.
“Claire,I’m your new mom.You’re our second daughter now.Allow me to introduce you to your sister.”
Mrs.Harper’s hopeful eyes fixed on me.After a moment,she gently took my hand that was held by Mr.Thompson.
In Jessica’s bedroom,the nine-year-old lay weakly on a soft,spacious bed,looking chronically.
“Jessie,this is your new sister,Harper Claire,just from the orphanage.With her here,you’ll get better soon.”
Mrs.Harper’s voice trembled,eyes red,as she tenderly stroked Jessica’s pale face,like handling fragile treasure.
Last life,after joining the Harpers,I was glued to Jessica’s side per Mrs.Harper’s orders,even sleeping on a cot in her room,despite countless empty rooms.
As Mrs.Harper predicted,Jessica’s health improved,making a full recovery in six months.
I moved out only when she,annoyed by my presence,kicked me out.
“Claire,you’ll stay in your sister’s room to keep her company,okay?”Mrs.Harper asked,same as before.
Last life,I had no opinions,obeying fully.
…
But this life,I had to fight for my survival.
“No!”I said loudly,worried my small voice wouldn’t carry.
Mrs.Harper,stunned by my refusal,turned cold.
“Claire,isn’t her room nice?You’d never get such a bedroom in the orphanage.”
“I want my own room,or return me to the orphanage.”
I knew the Harpers wouldn’t let me go.
As expected,Mrs.Harper paused,then tried persuading me.
No matter her threats or incentives,I refused to share Jessica’s room.
Finally,she relented,placing me in the room next to Jessica’s.
After dinner,I returned to rest.A maid,passing me,muttered,“Ungrateful brat.Being a foster daughter of the Harpers is a godsend,yet she’s picky.”