When I gave up pursuing my stepbrother, he was regretful to the point of going crazy.
Chapter 1
I was eighteen when my mom remarried, and I
got a stepfather.
But I fell hard for the golden boy, the picture
of perfection, always standing just behind
him. His name was Ethan.
I chased after him for five years, but all I got
were cold rebuffs and a scowl. “Lily, I’m your
stepbrother,” he’d say, like it was some kind
of crime.
I thought maybe he was just hung up on the
whole “step” thing.
But then my stepsister, Chloe, came home
after being abroad, and in three months flat,
he was shielding her from the world, talking
about marrying her.
That’s when I knew. It wasn’t about family
lines; it was just about who he loved and who
he didn’t.
That’s when I finally gave up.
I lay on the chilly table, the tattoo artist still
trying to talk me out of it.
“Hey, kiddo, this is right on your collarbone.
You seemed pretty attached to it. Sure you
want it gone?”
<
Eyes squeezed shut, I nodded silently.
Back then, to prove my love to Ethan, I’d
gotten his name tattooed right there, plain as day for everyone to see. A public declaration
of my undying devotion.
Now, I just felt like an idiot.
The laser stung like crazy, but honestly, it was
nothing compared to finding out about Ethan
and Chloe’s wedding.
After getting the tattoo removed, I made sure
to wear a turtleneck, hiding the still–healing
scar.
Back at the house, Ethan was holding Chloe
in the living room, all cozy and wrapped up in
wedding plans.
Swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth, I
tried to ignore it, hurrying past.
But Chloe’s sugary voice stopped me in my
tracks.
“Lily, Ethan and I are getting married next
weekend. Will you be my bridesmaid?”
There was a glint of triumph dancing in her
eyes.
I looked down, my voice flat. “I can’t. I have
plans.”
Chloe’s face fell, her voice all pouty and
wounded.
“I just wanted you to be there to see how
happy I am. Why can’t you even do that for
me?”
Ethan stroked her hair, a protective gesture.
Then, he saw my turtleneck. A flicker of
surprise crossed his face, followed by a
sneer.
“Well, look who’s finally wised up. Hiding that
embarrassing tattoo.”
Then, his voice turned hard, leaving no room
for argument.
“You’re Chloe’s sister. Being her bridesmaid
is the least you can do. It’ll keep your….
unsavory feelings in check.”
My feet felt like they were cemented to the
floor, my eyes locked on Ethan.
L
Normally, I’d jump through hoops for anything
Ethan asked.
But this time, I just couldn’t.
I shook my head, repeating myself, “I really do
have plans.”
Ethan just scoffed. “Plans? Please. You’ve
been glued to my side for five years. What
could you possibly have planned?”
Yeah, five years wasted.
But this time, I really did have something
going on.
My study abroad program started the day of
their wedding.
く
But the words caught in my throat.
Even though Ethan treated me like I had the
plague, he was still like a brother. He wouldn’t
let me go if he knew.
So, I just nodded.
“I’ll be at the wedding. But you’ll have to find
someone else for a bridesmaid.”
I turned to head upstairs.
Ethan stopped me again, his voice indifferent,
like he was just stating a fact.
“Now that Chloe and I are getting married,
we’ll need to move you out of the master
bedroom and turn it into our room. You can
take the west–facing room downstairs.”
I gripped the railing.
My skin was super sensitive to damp and
cold. I’d get eczema flare–ups if I wasn’t
careful.
Ethan knew that. That’s why he’d given me
his sunny room when I was eighteen. I’d lived
there ever since.
But I guess it was time to give it back.
I nodded.
“Okay.”
I didn’t see the look of shock on Ethan’s face
as I went to pack.
My room was filled with pictures of me and
L
I always thought that one day, he’d see how
much I cared.
Now, I just looked at the photos and laughed,
a hollow sound.
Chloe walked in as I was packing.
She flopped down on the bed, picking up a
picture. My eyes snagged on the bracelet on
her wrist.
It was a charm bracelet with the word “love”
spelled out.
I’d wanted it so badly. It was supposed to be
a symbol of true love.
I’d begged Ethan to buy it for me, but he’d
Suddenly, Chloe shrieked, pulling out a stack
of envelopes.
I was about to stop her when Ethan walked in.
Chloe threw herself into Ethan’s arms, tossing
the letters in the air, laughing. “Ethan,
someone’s been writing you love letters!”
Ethan didn’t even glance at them. His eyes
flickered to me, filled with disgust.
“Lily, after all these years, can’t you keep
your twisted thoughts to yourself? If you don’t
have shame, I do. I don’t want to see this
stuff in this house ever again.”
I clenched my fists, feeling like I’d been
stripped naked and doused with ice water. My
whole body trembled.
L
All I could do was mumble apologies.
Until he left.
Then, I crouched down and gathered every
scattered letter. They were filled with my
honest, heartfelt feelings for Ethan.
