For the Brother They Took from Me

Aiden had just woken up from a vegetative state. He was still very weak and had to rely on a wheelchair to move around.

He looked outside at the bright, sunny day and smiled warmly.

“Sienna, I thought I’d never wake up again in this lifetime.”

I gently ruffled his hair and spoke softly to comfort him.

“Silly, what are you saying? Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of you from now on. I’ll never let you get hurt again.”

Aiden nodded obediently. Then, as if something suddenly came to mind, he looked up and asked, “Where’s Ashton? Why didn’t he come with us? I haven’t seen him in so long and I really miss him.”

“And what about Camila? I’ve been unconscious for so many years—does she still remember me?”

My hands froze mid-movement as a wave of sorrow and anger surged through my heart.

I didn’t know how to explain that our older brother was gone—dead—and that the person who had killed him was the very girl my younger brother had secretly loved for years: Camila.

Sensing something was wrong, he quickly asked, “Sienna, why aren’t you saying anything? Could it be… something happened that I don’t know about?”

I looked at him with a complicated expression. But in the end, I knew I had to tell him the truth. I knelt beside him, took his hand gently in mine and said, “I’ll tell you everything you want to know. But first, please take care of your health. I only have you now. Don’t let me lose you too.”

Aiden was smart. He immediately understood the meaning behind my words. His handsome brows furrowed deeply for a moment, then slowly relaxed.

He held my hand tightly and spoke softly, trying to comfort me. “Alright. I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll get my health back in order as soon as possible.”

Seeing how understanding and mature he was, my heart ached and my nose stung. I wrapped him tightly in my arms.

Meanwhile, on the other side…

After spending the night with Camila, Bryan finally remembered that he had a girlfriend.

He glanced at the sleeping Camila, leaned down to kiss her forehead, then got out of bed and stepped onto the balcony to call me.

“Sorry, the number you dialed is currently busy. Please try again later…”

He assumed I was on the phone and decided to send a Whatsapp message instead.

[Where are you now? I’ll come find you.]

But the message didn’t go through. I had blocked him.

He stared at the small exclamation mark on the screen, confused for a moment, then realized what had happened. He called again.

The same message played.

Only then did it sink in.

I had blocked him.

In the five years we had been together, this was the first time I had deleted him from my life.

Was it because he didn’t see me yesterday?

As he pondered this, Camila came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, her sweet voice drifting into his ears.

“Bryan, why didn’t you wake me up when you got up?”

Hearing her spoiled tone, all of Bryan’s unease melted away. He turned to her, pinched her cheek playfully and replied in a doting voice, “Because I didn’t want to disturb you. But since you’re awake, let’s go have breakfast. I already had someone prepare it for you.”

“After we eat, I have something to tell you.”

Camila blinked her eyes, curious. “What is it?”

“We’ll talk about it after breakfast.”

Knowing he never made empty promises, Camila obediently followed him downstairs and ate her meal.

After breakfast, she looked at him eagerly. “Bryan, what is it you wanted to tell me?”

Bryan looked at her, his expression conflicted. He hesitated.

Camila sensed something was wrong. Her smile began to fade and she urged him,

“Just say it.”

He pursed his lips.

“Camila, I just wanted to say that… even though we love each other, the way things are now isn’t right. Staying entangled like this can’t go on. After I marry Sienna, we should end whatever this is between us.”

The room went silent.

Camila’s face darkened, her eyes flashing with hidden fury.

“Bryan, didn’t you promise to take care of me for the rest of your life? Or… have you fallen in love with Sienna?”

Back then, Bryan had started a relationship with me only to divert the family's attention—so no one would suspect his true feelings.

The Ostern Family would never allow them to be together.

A flicker of guilt crossed Bryan’s eyes and he quickly assured her, “Of course not. You’re the only one in my heart. I just worry people will talk and criticize you. That’s why I want to end this relationship. But don’t worry. I’ll find someone who will love you and take care of you for the rest of your life.”

Camila slammed her fork onto the table. She refused to accept it.

“But I only love you. You’re the only one in my heart. You said it yourself—being with Sienna was just temporary. But it’s been five years. Why haven’t you broken up with her yet?”

“Bryan, have you really never developed any feelings for her?”

She stared into his eyes, as if trying to read the truth from deep within them.

But she was no match for Bryan. His face darkened suddenly.

“When have I ever broken my word to you? I said I wouldn’t fall in love with anyone else and I haven’t. If you keep doubting my sincerity like this, I’ll get angry.”

Since they had known each other, this was the first time Bryan had raised his voice at her.

She panicked and immediately backed down.

“Alright, I believe you, Bryan. I just hope you won’t disappoint me.”

Bryan said nothing more. He stood and got ready to leave for work.

Just as he stepped outside, a deliveryman arrived. The man looked at Bryan’s sharp, tailored suit and asked respectfully, “Are you Mr. Ostern? A woman sent you a package.”

Bryan furrowed his brows as he accepted the tightly wrapped box. A strange glint flashed in his eyes.

After signing his name, he carried it back to the living room.

He opened it…

And froze.