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."

trying hard enough, Cylan. You're throwing away your life on foolishness." she said, her voice

loved my mom, but it really broke my heart when my mom insisted I was being delusional for saying I'm gay. Now the STD

minor setback. And it's not

voice rose in anger. "Minor setback? You've wasted your life, Cylan! You've thrown away your future because of your... feelings for girls. It's unnatural. And now look where you are. You're being treated

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

tried to interrupt, but she

because now, your father is threatening to disown you unless you marry

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

to secure a merger between our companies and save our family's reputation. And if

spine as I realized the extent of my parents' control. But

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

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

father and I.

argue that they were not happy together, but I held

You need to continue the

"Mom, that doesn't mean I have to marry a man. I can still have a family, still have children, without

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 with a smile on

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

the line, and for a moment, I thought my mom had hung up on me. But then she spoke,

this: you're bringing shame to the Cooper family name, and you'll 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

voice brought me back to reality. "Cylan, are

to focus, but my eyes followed Emily as she moved up the stairs. "Mom, I...

washed towels. She caught my eye and smiled, and I felt my heart flutter. It looked like she

have to go," I said