Chapter 3: Ghosts, Betrayals, and War
I’d always believed America was different—strong, free, untouchable. But the truth was uglier than I’d ever imagined.
In 1842, the British forced the Union—Liberty America in this world—to sign the "New Jersey Treaty," losing territory and turning into a semi-colony under foreign rule. (Yeah, alternate history, but the pain was real.)
The news spread like wildfire, heavy as smog over the city. People whispered in fear, and hope started to die out.
From 1856 to 1860, Britain and France pushed harder, launching the Second Black Crow War. My heart sank as I watched them team up, and then—
Germany and Russia joined in.
The four nations forced the Union to sign away even more land and power—treaties in Trenton, Boston, and beyond. It was gutting, watching it happen.
After years of war, the Union was in ruins—families scattered, homes burned, hope nearly gone. The smell of gunpowder never left the air.
Then, in 1931, the Japanese invaded—Pearl Harbor-style. My stomach dropped. I watched the chaos unfold, helpless and furious.
Countless countrymen stepped forward, knowing they’d never make it back—but they didn’t retreat. They stood their ground, even when it meant dying right there.
Countless women were brutalized, countless infants slaughtered. The horror never seemed to end, and I couldn’t look away.
Worse still, so many patriots died without a burial. They just vanished, lost to history.
My eyes burned with rage. I wanted to fight, to do something, but all I could do was watch.
With artillery fire everywhere, I squeezed my eyes shut, praying for it to stop. The world was nothing but smoke and screams.
Even as a ghost, tears streamed hot and fast from my tightly closed eyes. I never knew a soul could cry like that.
When I opened my eyes again, the sounds of artillery were gone.
And I…
Had somehow returned again to the day Dad disowned me.
*This time, Mom didn’t die by hitting the pillar. Did I change the ending?*
My heart pounded. Could I really make a difference?
*Who would’ve thought the Union would end up so much like the old empires from my previous life!*
The realization stung, raw and bitter. I’d seen this kind of collapse before. I couldn’t let it happen again.
The scenes of artillery fire and the countless people marching to their deaths still haunted my heart. I could almost hear the screams, see the faces—each one a reminder of what I had to fight for.
My eyes reddened again. I blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall.
*Those monsters are really something! Damn it, this time, no matter what, I have to protect our land and our people.*
I knelt on the ground for a long time, but Dad said nothing. The silence was heavy, pressing in from all sides.
Instead, my brother spoke up, syrupy as ever: “Dad, I don’t think my little brother would ever betray the country. There must be some hidden reason for his correspondence with the enemy.”
*Damn!*
I wanted to roll my eyes.
I cursed him in my mind—what a great brother you are! Always the actor, always the snake.
If only Dad could see the truth.
“Enough, all of you, stop talking!”
The room fell silent, but Dad’s face suddenly darkened as he shouted. His eyes blazed, and for a second, everyone shrank back.
*Why does Dad seem off?*
He was always strict, but this was different. There was something in his eyes—something I couldn’t quite name.
*Could he have come back to life too? Or maybe he’s also from another time?*
My imagination ran wild, spinning every crazy theory I could think of.
I kept my face neutral, but inside, I was a mess of questions and nerves.
Dad’s gaze suddenly sharpened. He swept his eyes around the room, barking again, “All of you, shut up!”
His eyes scanned us, searching for something. My skin prickled, and I sat up straighter.
I was stunned! My whole body tensed, like I’d just been caught sneaking out after curfew.
My mouth dropped open. Did he just…?
*What’s with Dad? Is he acting?*
*Nobody’s talking, so who’s he telling to shut up?*
*Could it be…*
My heart started to race. Was it possible? Could he really hear what I was thinking?
Thanks to my habit of reading web novels (where every other protagonist has a cheat power), I almost laughed out loud at the idea—Dad with a mind-reading cheat? That would be wild, but after everything I’d seen, who was I to say it was impossible?
I couldn’t help myself. I looked up at Dad and yelled in my heart—Dad, Dad, look at me, look at your good son!
I focused all my thoughts, like I was sending up a flare. If he could hear me, he’d know the truth.
Up on the landing, Dad rubbed his forehead and actually looked straight at me.
Our eyes met, and for a second, I felt like he could see everything—right through me, all my secrets laid bare.
Whoa, that’s wild!
*Dad, mind reading—you really woke up with mind reading, that’s incredible!*
I was beyond excited. For the first time in forever, I felt hope.
In my last life, after being framed by my brother and losing Mom, I was disowned and killed by my brother. The memory still burned.
This time, after coming back, I arrived at this very moment. Maybe now, with Dad reading minds, things could finally change.
I let out a sharp laugh under my breath, the relief almost dizzying.
Now that Dad can read minds, what do I have to worry about?