Exchanged Fates, Twisted Souls

Damian lifted my clothes and cried when he saw my smooth chest. "Why? Why didn't Carmen Sherman abuse you? You were supposed to be covered in bruises! There have been rumors for years that the Shermans treated you, their adopted son, terribly. How could you be living better than me?"

His emotions ran high and as he moved, he seemed to pull at the wound on his arm, wincing in pain. I just stared at him, a silent, mocking smile on my face. The rumors Carmen spread was to protect me. She loved me so much that she had to hold me in her arms every night to sleep. Watching Damian fall apart, I smirked. "What's wrong, little brother? You don't seem happy that I'm doing well. Are you not satisfied with your life even in this lifetime?"

Damian's sobbing stopped instantly. His face was frozen in shock and panic. "Y-You were reborn too?"

I didn't answer directly. My smile grew even more playful. "You had the first pick in both lives, yet you still ended up losing? Are you really that useless?"

That word 'useless' made his eyes turn bloodshot with rage. "I'm not useless! Just watch, I'll climb higher than you! I'll be more successful than you!"

I nodded, still smiling. "Sure, go for it!"

With all its dirty tricks and moral bankruptcy, the entertainment industry seems the perfect place for him. Let's see if he still talks about success after that hell. The wealthy couple waiting for him grew impatient and called for him again.

Damian wiped his tears, lifted his chin and put on a smug face. "Adrian, just wait! I'm going to be a superstar! When that happens, I'll get my fans to cyberbully you! I'll expose all the evil things you've done!"

Evil things? What evil things have I done? In both lives, I let him choose first. After our parents died, I gave in to him on everything. Still, in his eyes, none of that was enough. He only wanted to crush me under his feet. He never saw me as his older brother.

"I know Carmen was just putting on a show for your coming-of-age ceremony today. I can't wait to see the day she ruins your face and breaks your legs!" Damian left me with those parting words, laughing as he walked away. He wasn't wrong. Carmen was indeed putting on an act.

I lifted my head and looked across the room. She was holding a wine glass, entertaining guests, but her eyes never left me. There was a strange, unreadable glint in them. The next second, she smiled and walked over, pulling me into a dimly lit private room. Then, she pressed her body against mine. "Adrian, I heard everything you two just said. You've been very naughty. Looks like I need to punish you."