The Son Who Wasn’t WantedChapter 1

Inside the equestrian center, the adopted younger brother, Ken, was clinging precariously, almost thrown from the horse, his life hanging by a thread.

My birth parents rushed to me, their voices raw with panic.

“Go save him! Only you can calm that horse!”

I pulled back the thin blanket covering my legs, revealing the heavy cast beneath.

“Save him with what?” I asked, my voice disturbingly calm. “With this leg, the one you personally broke?”

…

A thud.

My birth parents, Ashton and Sarah, fell to their knees before me, perfectly synchronized.

“Adrian! Please, son! I’m begging you!”

Sarah’s voice was choked with tears. “Please save Ken, he’s barely holding on!”

“Just save Ken, and your father will grant you anything you ask!” Ashton’s arrogant pride crumbled, his forehead pressed against the ground, his voice trembling.

They would go to such lengths for an adopted son, someone who shared no blood with them. To kneel before their own flesh and blood… the irony was a bitter taste in my mouth. In the two years since they’d “found” me, had they ever truly treated me as their son?

Ken and I shared the same birthday, but they found me coarse and feared I’d embarrass them, forbidding me from attending the party. I didn’t push it, only asking if they could come home early to share a birthday cake with me. They promised. Instead, they flew Ken to Paris, throwing him a lavish birthday bash beneath the Eiffel Tower. I, meanwhile, waited alone in the sprawling mansion until midnight. The noodles turned to mush, and I never even got a “Happy Birthday” from them.

When they returned, seeing my hurt, Sarah even scolded me: “Why are you so insensitive? Can’t you be more considerate of your brother?”

“Ken has always been delicate; isn’t it natural for us to dote on him more?”

Yes, of course. Because I was their biological son, I was destined to be sacrificed, neglected, and merely a prop for Ken.

“Adrian! You’re being absolutely ridiculous!”

A sharp, angry female voice cut through the air. It was my fiancée, Cassy. She strode toward me, her gaze imperious, and pointed an accusing finger.

“Your aunt and uncle are on their knees! How can you be so heartless? Aren’t you afraid of shortening your own life?”

Her beautiful face was etched with disappointment and scorn, as if I’d committed some unforgivable sin.

Sarah immediately seized the chance, weeping as she spoke: “Cassy, don’t blame Adrian, it’s all our fault, we wronged him, it’s understandable he’s angry…” Her words sounded like a defense, but in reality, they placed me on an impossible moral high ground. It was as if she were saying: See, we’ve knelt and admitted our wrongs, yet you still refuse to help; you’re simply unfilial and wicked.

The surrounding relatives immediately began whispering and pointing.

“What kind of child is he? So cold-blooded.”

“Exactly, they’re his own parents, after all. There’s no grudge that can’t be forgotten.”

“Ken is such a sweet boy, how could he be so cruel…”

I watched the unfolding drama with detached eyes, my heart unmoving.

“Ah! Help!”

In the center of the arena, Ken’s screams grew more desperate, his body swaying precariously, as if he’d be thrown and trampled to death at any second. The sound struck Ashton and Sarah like a heavy hammer. They abandoned all pretense of dignity, frantically bowing their heads to me.

“Adrian! Please, son, I beg you! Save Ken!”

“I’m bowing to you! Have some mercy!”

Cassy was thoroughly enraged by the sight. She stepped forward, gripping my shoulder, and snarled in a commanding tone:

“Adrian! I told you to go save him! Did you hear me?”

I slowly lifted my eyes, my icy gaze piercing her like a blade.

“If you want to save him, go yourself. I won’t.”

Cassy recoiled, startled by my stare, and instinctively released her grip. I turned my head, my gaze falling upon the two pathetic figures on the ground, a faint curve playing on my lips.

“If you want me to save him, fine.”