A New Home, An Old Fate

The car slowed as it turned into the upscale neighborhood, and Cael stared out the window, taking in the extravagant displays of wealth. Each mansion was more ostentatious than the last, flaunting their owners' eccentric tastes. One house caught his eye—a pastel-pink estate adorned with oversized cartoon cats, looking more like a theme park attraction than a home. Next to it, a sleek black-and-white modern mansion loomed, its stark design like a dark shadow beside its cheerful neighbor.

Cael's brows furrowed as he noticed another house decked out entirely in leopard print. He clicked his tongue quietly. People really flaunt their wealth in the weirdest ways.

Finally, the car pulled up to the Chang household. The mansion was elegant and understated in comparison—its white and beige exterior radiating a quiet sophistication. As they stopped, Cael's heart sank a little. This is my new home, he thought, his grip tightening on the fabric of his pants.

Mrs. Chang stepped out first, turning to gesture for Cael to follow. "Come inside, dear. You must be exhausted."

James Chang—now his adoptive father—handed off Cael's belongings to the waiting butler. Cael followed Mrs. Chang into the house, his steps hesitant as he crossed the threshold into his new life.

The interior of the mansion was warm and welcoming, a stark contrast to the heaviness in Cael's chest. Inside, he was greeted by a group of tall, imposing figures. Jade, his supposed cousin and the future victim of this twisted world, stepped forward first. His smile was soft as he opened his arms. "It's nice to see you, dear little brother" Jade said warmly before pulling Cael into a hug.

Following Jade's lead, three other men introduced themselves as Cael's new brothers. Jack, the eldest, was a dominant alpha, his sharp tan features a perfect blend of Mr. and Mrs. Chang's genes. Aeron, the second eldest, was a beta with lighter skin and a quieter demeanor. Finally, there was Jin, a tan alpha with blonde hair, whose laid-back attitude belied his towering frame.

As they hugged him in turn, Cael found himself stiff with discomfort. Each of them seemed so big, their presence almost overwhelming. Why is everyone here so huge? he thought bitterly. The original Cael's dominant omega status clearly set him apart, leaving him with soft features that only highlighted how out of place he felt among these tall, broad-shouldered alphas and betas.

For a moment, Cael's mind drifted back to his old life as El Johansen. Back then, he'd taken pride in his sharp features and strong build. He had been a perfectionist, meticulous about his looks and fitness routines, skills learned from his siblings. Even during nursing school, when his health began to falter, he maintained his appearance—until the grueling pace of his third year. By then, sleepless nights and endless exams had left him with dark circles and a haggard appearance.

It wasn't until he finally earned his nursing license that he had taken a month off to rest, regaining his youthful glow and confidence. Those early months working in the hospital had been exciting—handling complicated cases and proving his skills. But by January, the non-stop influx of patients had pushed him to his limits. Firework injuries, bus crashes, and the constant chaos of ICU care drained him physically and emotionally. Yet El had pressed on, determined to save every penny for med school. His exhaustion had been a badge of honor, a sign that he was getting closer to his dream.

And now, all of that is gone, Cael thought bitterly, snapping back to the present.

"Thank you," he said quietly as the brothers stepped back, sensing his discomfort. Mrs. Chang placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, urging him to eat and rest after the long day.

She led him to a guest room that would soon become his permanent space. "Your belongings will arrive by the end of the month," she explained softly. "So will your parents' things. I... I couldn't bear to let them go. They were so important to me. Your father and I wouldn't have met if it weren't for your parents."

Her voice cracked as she shared the story of how Clide and Patricia Baker, the original Cael's parents, had been her lifeline after losing her own parents. She revealed that she had even planned to dedicate a room for them in the mansion to preserve their memory.

Cael listened quietly, his heart heavy with guilt for emotions he didn't truly share. Those people weren't my parents. But they were important to hers.

When Mrs. Chang finally left, he sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the ceiling. Exhaustion weighed on him, but his mind refused to rest. He needed a plan.

I can't let Jade meet Julls. I can't let the novel's events play out. He thought about the story's timeline, trying to piece it together. Jade and Julls' first meeting wasn't described in detail—only that it happened at a high-society party. Julls' obsession had started at first sight. Obsession at first sight? What a load of garbage.

But the timeline was still unclear, and the story itself didn't begin until after Jade was already imprisoned. Cael groaned in frustration. I need more information, but all I have is this stupid phone. He glanced at the device sitting on the nightstand, its screen dark.

For now, all he could do was rest. Sighing heavily, he prepared for bed, hoping that sleep would bring clarity—or, perhaps, the impossible—a return to his old life.

But as he lay down and closed his eyes, he knew deep down that this was no dream. And tomorrow would bring no escape.