My Brother
CULLEN
My father raised a hand. “Okay, okay. Whatever it is... whether he’s acting or he’s genuinely concerned, the fact remains, he is at the hospital. And we... we are Sarah’s family now.”
He turned his eyes to me. “I expected you to stay at the hospital, Cullen. But you left. So your mom had to stay to hold the fort. A Cincinnati has to be there. A family member must be present—so it doesn’t seem like we just dumped her at the hospital and stepped back.”
He leaned forward, his tone tightening. “That would not be good for us. Not now, knowing that we’re still building future relationships. Our relationship with the Russians is still on hold. We can’t afford to appear weak, or untrustworthy. We must uphold our end of every bargain.”
He sat back, the weight of his words lingering in the air. “Having said that... I guess Cyrus should do the honours.” No
He motioned toward me. Cyrus turned to me, eyes sharp. There was something in his expression.... was that nervousness? Alarm? Hesitation?
Then he looked at our father.
“Dad,” he asked, his voice tight, “what are you saying?”
“There are no secrets in this family,” my father replied, his gaze steady. “We cannot keep secrets. If we do... that will be the very thing that destroys the both of you. And in turn, this family. And that..... I will not allow.”
Then he turned to Cyrus.
“So, Cyrus. Tell your brother the truth.”
“Um… what are you talking about, Dad?” I asked, my voice low and cautious.
My father gave Cyrus a sharp look. “Do I have to?” Cyrus asked him, his voice dropping an octave.
My father narrowed his eyes. “Now you’re sounding like a little girl,” he snapped.
Cyrus inhaled deeply, his chest rising before he turned to me. His face was serious, like he was preparing for war.
“Okay, look, Cullen. I know we don’t get along. I know we fight, a lot. And yes, you’re right… one of the reasons we really don’t see eye to eye is because of Bella and everything that happened. But I want you to know something.”
He paused, his eyes locking with mine.
“I love Bella. Bella loves me. We have a healthy relationship. I’m the happiest man in the world. I have a son now, and I don’t even think about other women. I’m faithful to my wife, and yeah, I regret a lot of things I did in the past… but not this. Not her. Because Bella is the love of my life.”
He said it like a confession, like he wanted me to forgive him or maybe he just needed me to hear it.
“I love her. She loves me. We have a family. And we love each other.”
I let out a loud, exaggerated yawn. “Okay, I’m failing to understand where this is going. So the big truth is that you love your wife? Wow. Shocking. I don’t give a fuck, okay? I don’t care. Dad, can I go now, please?”
“Let him finish,” my father cut in firmly.
I rolled my eyes but leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. “Fine.” I turned back to Cyrus. “You were saying?”
He hesitated for a second, then pressed on. “I want you to know… you’re my brother. My blood. I love you. I would die for you. I would do anything for you.”
“Now you’re just being dramatic,” I muttered.
“Just listen!” he snapped, his voice sharp, breaking through the tension in the room.
I went quiet.
“What I’m going to tell you,” he said, lowering his voice again, “there’s more.”
Something twisted in my gut. I didn’t like where this was going. I’d been trying to push his buttons, maybe because I was scared... scared of whatever this big dramatic reveal was. Because if he had to start with that much buildup, I knew it was going to wreck something.
Maybe me.
Why? Why was Cyrus talking like this?
He’s never been scared to say anything to my face. Not once. He always just… blurted things out. Like when he slept with Bella, my Bella—while I was out there trying to save a friend. He didn’t even hesitate. Took advantage of the situation, of her, of me.
And even after everything that happened, when I still wanted to marry her, still wanted to try, despite what they had done, he didn’t stop. He didn’t pull me aside. No warning. He just announced it, he was marrying her. Like it was nothing.
So why was he preparing me now? Why all the dramatic pauses and heartfelt speeches?
What was it? Was he sick?
I turned to him, eyes narrowing.
“Are you sick? Are you dying?”
His face twitched. “No... no, I’m not sick.”
“Well, you’re talking like you are. Like you’re about to leave Bella and your son in my hands. Like you’re saying goodbye or something.” I shook my head, heart racing. “I can’t… I just can’t take that kind of responsibility. Please don’t tell me I’m about to become the heir to this family. I can’t be the heir. I won’t.”
Cyrus gave me a soft smile.
“I have no doubts,” he said. “If I’m ever gone… I know you’ll be there for my wife. For my son. For this famiglia. I wouldn’t even need to ask you.”
I clenched my fists. “Then what the fuck is this about?” I snapped, my voice rising. “Because I swear, I’m getting antsy and angry and you’re playing around.”
Cyrus dragged a hand down his face like he was trying to wipe away the tension.
“There’s no reason to beat around the bush,” he said quietly. “The thing is… you haven’t really been taking care of your wife...”
I groaned and threw my head back. “Oh my God, this again? I cannot keep hearing about Sarah from you people! You all gang up on me and blame me....”
“No, it’s not that,” Cyrus interrupted. “It’s not about blame. It’s just… you weren’t paying attention to her. I don’t know what happened between the two of you when you were alone in the same room. But we all know how you moved... showed up at midnight, left before five.”
Cyrus nodded faintly before speaking again.
“Maybe she was lonely. I’m not trying to defend her,” Cyrus said, taking a deep breath.
And just like that, I knew something was coming.
"Just spit it out!"
“Well…” he exhaled slowly. “Sarah came on to me.”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
