My parents sent me to prison for my adopted son

The day I was sentenced to death, my parents were throwing a press conference announcing their adopted son, Luke Miller, as the new heir to their company. My sister, Sarah, and Luke were engaged, a picture-perfect family. Me? I was the outcast, the disowned black sheep who'd dared to expose Luke's insidious ambitions.

Death, then rebirth. I no longer yearned for their love. This time, I would live for myself.

1.

I was reborn the day Luke first arrived at our home. Fate, it seemed, had offered me a second chance. Luke was the son of my dad's best friend, a local child prodigy. His parents had died in a car crash, and Luke had been kidnapped from the scene. Dad spared no expense to find him, moved by the boy's tragic story. He vowed to raise Luke as his own.

Mom burst into tears the moment she saw Luke, hugging him and crying, "Poor child, you've suffered so much." Sarah sniffled beside her. Only I remained indifferent, knowing the cruelty hidden beneath Luke's innocent facade.

Mom urged Luke to sit down, but he blushed, murmuring, "I'm dirty. I don't want to stain your sofa." This display of heartbreaking politeness charmed my family once again. Even Dad, who always boasted about "boys don't cry," teared up. He patted Luke's head, "Silly boy, this is your home now. You should call us Mom and Dad."

Luke nodded shyly, then noticed Sarah's unfinished math homework on the table. With a single glance, he solved the Olympiad problem that had stumped her all night. Sarah instantly became Luke's biggest fan, praising his genius. Mom and Dad exchanged knowing smiles, convinced Luke's arrival would make their family complete. No one asked for my opinion. It was as if, with this adopted son, I, their biological son, had become invisible.

2.

I waited, knowing what Luke was capable of. Just like before, he immediately asserted his dominance. He looked at me, eyes brimming with tears, "Ethan, why are you glaring at me?" He lowered his head, feigning dejection. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to steal anyone's parents. If you don't like me, I'll leave." Despite his words, he remained firmly planted on the sofa.

Dad looked at me sternly, "Ethan, you're Luke's older brother now. You need to get along with him, understand?"

Sarah scoffed, "Ethan's just jealous that Luke's smarter. Luke’s a real genius, not like Ethan's little tricks."

Luke's face paled. He hid behind Mom, trembling, "I didn't want to outshine Ethan. It's all my fault."

Mom comforted him, shooting me a disapproving look. "Ethan, I've always taught you to be humble. How can you be so envious?"

Dad chimed in, "Apologize to Luke, now!"

Luke peeked from behind Mom, flashing me a look of pure defiance, one only I could see. My jaw clenched. Memories of my past life flooded back. My parents, my sister, all ganging up on me, declaring Luke their true family, disowning me without a second thought. They’d even helped Luke frame me, sending me to prison, watching as I was led to my execution.

I shoul...