Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 19

(Cylan's POV)

As I sat on the stairs, hidden from view, I dialled my mom's number. I waited for her to answer. Finally she picked up.

"Cylan, darling, how are you?" my mom asked, her voice sweet and cheerful.

"I'm fine, Mom," I replied, trying to sound casual.

"How's school?" she asked, her tone light and conversational.

I hesitated for a moment before launching into an enthusiastic response. "It's great, Mom! I'm really loving my classes and I've been making some amazing friends. We're always studying together and-"

My mom cut me off. Her tone shifted and her voice became cold and detached. "Cylan, don't play dumb with me. I know the truth. You're not in school right now, are you?"

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized I had been caught. "Mom, I... uh..."

"Don't bother lying to me, Cylan. I know you're in a wellness center. I know all about your little 'condition"."

The worst and the feeling I hate the most is the feeling of shame. I was the one who had made the mistake. I had trusted someone I shouldn't have, and had contracted a disease. I realized my mom had been pretending to be clueless all along. Why didn't I figure that out? Mom knew everything the majority of the time. I tried to defend myself, but my mom wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise.

"You're throwing your life away, Cylan. You're wasting your potential on... on... whatever it is you're doing. And now you're being treated for an STD? It's a shame, Cylan. A complete and utter shame." She sighed. "I'm extremely disappointed in you."

My mom's words cut deep, and I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes. I tried to hold back tears, but they began to fall anyway.

"I'm sorry mom. I really am. Mom, please understand," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm trying to get better. I'm trying to figure out who I am and what I want."

having it. "You're not trying hard enough, Cylan. You're throwing away your life on foolishness." she said, her voice laced with disgust. "You're being treated for an STD, for goodness' sake!

my mom insisted I was being delusional for saying I'm gay. Now the STD had only managed to make things worse. I wiped my tears

minor setback. And it's not like I'm the first person to ever get an

feelings for girls. It's unnatural. And now look where you are. You're being treated for

to remain calm. "Mom, my relationships are none of your business. And my health is

interrupt, but she

threatening to disown you unless you marry the first son

throwing up. "Wha-What?" I managed to say, "That's ridiculous. I won't do

You will do it because that's the only way to secure a merger

felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the extent of my parents' control. But I knew

I told you guys that I'm gay. I won't pretend to be

confused. And you'll do what's best for this family, even if it means marrying a man." She sighed, "It's a phase, honey. Maybe you're worried

she laughed. "Look at your father and

they were not happy together, but

need to focus on what's important. You need to continue the family line. You need to

that doesn't mean I have to marry a man. I can still have

yourself. And that's not how it works. You'll do what's best for this family, even if it means sacrificing your own stupid desires. You'll marry the first son of the Lloyd family, Cylan. And you'll

do it," I said again, my voice firmer this time. "I won't marry someone I don't love. And I won't pretend to be someone I'm not. Besides, I refuse to be used as a bargaining chip to secure your merger. I won't

the line, and for a moment, I

regret the day you ever chose this... lifestyle of yours." I groaned, but before I could respond, I noticed a girl coming out from under the stairs, carrying a bucket and mop. She was stunning, with long, curly brown hair. She wore the uniform of the cleaners in the center, even though I

mom's voice brought me back to reality. "Cylan, are you

eyes followed Emily as she

to get some washed towels. She caught my eye and smiled, and I

to go," I said quickly, ending the