Mom Came Back From the Dead to Warn Me About the Boy I Almost Chose Chapter 01

Mom Came Back From the Dead to Warn Me About the Boy I Almost Chose Chapter 01

Leo Sterling and I got knocked out at the same time when a basketball came flying out of nowhere and hit us both.

When I came to, the first thing I heard was my mother’s voice.

My mother. Who had been dead for years.

“Claire, sweetheart, don’t let that boy fool you again. Leo loves pretending he’s lost his memory just to mess with you and make Lily Harrington happy.”

I froze.

Slowly, I turned toward Leo, who had just woken up as well. As I watched him, I heard him ask, confused, “Hey… whose kid are you?”

My mother’s voice cut in again, sharp and urgent.

“In your past life, he ruined you. You gave him everything. A good life, your whole heart. And what did he do? He locked you in the house just so he could go spend time with Lily. When the fire broke out, you were burned alive!”

My chest tightened, like something heavy had been stuffed inside it.

“Claire, listen to me,” she continued. “In a minute, your dad’s going to ask you to pick a boy to be your brother. Don’t choose Leo this time.”

“Choose the boy from the Thorne family. He acts cold and always gives you a hard time, but every time you went on those scout trips, he secretly carried your water bottle for you.”

Before I could even process what I was hearing, my father really did walk toward me, holding a stack of photos.

“Claire,” he said gently, crouching down in front of me, “these boys all lost their parents in service. I’m planning to adopt one of them as your brother. You can choose. From now on, we’ll be a family.”

This time, I didn’t hesitate.

I lifted my hand and pointed straight at one of the photos.

“I’m listening to Mom,” I said quietly. “I choose him. Elias Thorne.”

…

My father blinked, clearly surprised.

“Claire, aren’t you always butting heads with that Thorne boy?” he asked. “Are you sure you want him as your brother? Think carefully. Once this is decided, you’ll be family for life.”

My father was one of the most powerful men in the Vandonian military. Anyone who entered our family would be stepping into a completely different world overnight.

Standing nearby, Lydia Sterling, Leo’s distant aunt, quickly stepped forward.

“Claire, Leo just lost his memory. He doesn’t remember you right now,” she said, trying to persuade me. “But didn’t you used to love playing with him? Why don’t we wait a few days? Maybe he’ll remember.”

My mother scoffed in my head.

“What nonsense! In your past life, that Harrington girl ripped your favorite bow apart. You barely said a word before Leo locked you outside in the rain. You stood there soaking wet for ages and nearly got sick.”

“In the end, it was the Thorne boy who came looking for you with an umbrella. He complained the whole time, said you were a hassle, but still put his jacket on you.”

A sharp ache twisted in my chest.

I didn’t understand why my mother kept talking about a “past life,” but every word pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating.

Besides, Lily had always been the one Leo cared about most. They were always together, playing house, while I was left out.

“Dad,” I said firmly, lifting my chin, “I’ve made my choice. I want Elias as my brother.”

My father studied me for a moment, then smiled faintly and tucked the photos away.

“Alright. I respect your decision,” he said, gently ruffling my hair. “In two days, I’ll host a dinner at the largest hall in Military Family Housing. We’ll make the announcement official.”

My mother let out a long breath of relief.

“That’s my girl. This time, you’ll grow up safe and sound.”

After my father and the others left to discuss things, I changed into one of my dresses and decided to get some fresh air.

The moment I opened the door, I stopped short.

Three familiar figures were standing in the hallway.

They were all kids I usually played with. They were also the boys my father had been considering.

Leo was there.

Elias was not.

Cooper Hayes grinned and bounced over to me. “Claire, I heard you’re picking a brother. So who is it?”

Toby Fletcher cut in before I could answer. “Who else would it be? It’s definitely Leo. Everyone knows Claire’s glued to him. She always saves him the best snacks.”

Leo only glanced at me, his expression calm and oddly mature.

“I really don’t remember the past few years,” he said casually. “I only remember playing with Lily when we were younger. But if this is what the adults want, I’ll take care of you.”

My mother let out a cold laugh.

“In your past life, he pulled this same trick. Pretended to have amnesia while staying inseparable from Lily and enjoying everything you gave him. He made my girl miserable for so long. That little brat!”