For the Brother They Took from Me

What happened at Ashton’s funeral left the relatives and friends who had come to pay their respects feeling outraged on my behalf—but none of them dared to speak out.

The Ostern Family’s influence was too powerful.

All they could do was offer me quiet words of comfort.

In the end, I swallowed my hatred and buried my brother beneath the cold earth.

It wasn’t until the next morning that I was able to calm down enough to think clearly.

Suddenly, I felt a desperate need to see Aiden.

I stumbled to the hospital, clinging to the thought that even without my older brother, I still had my little brother.

In two days, we’d leave this place behind—all the pain, the humiliation, the people who wanted to hurt us. No one would be able to find us ever again.

For Aiden’s sake, I had to endure. Just thinking of his innocent face brought warmth back to my frozen heart.

But when I pushed open the door to his hospital room, I was met with a sight that shattered me completely.

Aiden was lying pale and lifeless on the bed.

The room was empty. All of the medical equipment had been removed.

My body froze. Trembling, I rushed to check his breathing.

It was faint—but he was still alive.

I bolted from the ward and finally found his attending physician on the first floor.

Grabbing him by the collar, I spoke with a voice that shook like I’d just crawled out of an ice cellar.

“Doctor, my brother… Why did you remove his equipment? Put it back—please! He’ll die without it!”

The doctor’s face was full of unease.

“I’m sorry, Miss Grain. This is Miss Ostern’s order. She said you humiliated her at the funeral and now the entire social circle is laughing at her. She wants to punish you.”

I broke down, nearly collapsing into tears, pleading with him desperately.

“But he’ll really die like this! Please save him—please! I’ll go beg Miss Ostern myself. I’ll do anything!”

The doctor pushed me away, his voice helpless.

“I’m sorry. We can’t disobey orders. Not just our hospital—but every hospital in the city has received the same directive. We’re not allowed to treat your brother. This is Miss Ostern’s order.”

He paused, then added with a touch of sympathy, “I think… begging Miss Ostern won’t work. But maybe—maybe you can try Mr. Ostern instead. He might be able to help.”

The moment Bryan’s name was mentioned, my eyes, previously dull and lifeless, suddenly lit up.

Yes, Aiden had once saved Bryan’s life.

Back when Bryan had been in a car accident, it was Aiden who had thrown himself into danger to rescue him—leaving him in his current condition.

Bryan owed him his life. He had to save him.

I frantically pulled out my phone and called Bryan.

No answer.

I called again. Still no answer.

I couldn’t wait any longer. I jumped into a taxi and rushed to the Ostern Corporation.

But I didn’t even make it through the front door. Security blocked me at the entrance.

“Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment? You can’t just walk into the Ostern Corporation.”

My voice was hoarse, but I spoke as firmly as I could, “I’m your boss’s fiancée. I have urgent business with him. Please, let me in.”

The security guard’s face darkened. His tone became even firmer.

“You’re not allowed to enter. Mr. Ostern said you’ve repeatedly targeted his sister and he’s extremely disappointed in you. He wants to be left alone for a few days. He doesn’t want to see you.”

I broke down. I pulled a sunny day doll from my pocket.

“This… This is what Mr. Ostern gave me. He said it was a token of reconciliation. That no matter how angry he was, if I showed him this, he’d calm down.”

This doll had once been posted on Bryan’s social media. Everyone knew it was special. Whoever held the sunny day doll had the power to defuse any of Mr. Ostern’s anger. It was his personal get-out-of-jail-free card.

The moment the guards recognized it, I became excited.

I tried to push forward, to rush inside. But the security guard shoved me back roughly. Their expressions turned cold with disdain.

“Who are you trying to fool with that fake?”

“Everyone knows the real sunny doll is with Mr. Ostern’s sister.”

“You liar. Get out of here—and don’t cause any more trouble.”