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."

she

for saying I'm gay. Now the STD had only managed to make

just a minor setback. And it's

because of your... feelings for girls. It's unnatural. And now look where you are. You're

anger at her words, but I tried to remain calm. "Mom, my relationships are

tried to interrupt, but she

father is threatening to disown you unless you marry the

"Wha-What?" I managed

the only way to secure a merger between our companies and save our family's

down my spine as I realized the extent of my parents' control. But I knew I couldn't give in. I knew

I told you guys that I'm

You're just confused. And you'll do what's best for this family, even if it

"Look at your father and I. We were introduced to each other by

wanted to argue that they were not happy together, but I held my

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

man. I can still have a family, still have children, without compromising who I

about yourself. And that's not how it works. You'll do what's best for this family, even if it means sacrificing your

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

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

If that's how you want to play it, then so be it. But don't come crying to me when you're all alone. And know 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 was stunning, with long, curly brown hair. She wore the uniform of the cleaners in the center, even though I hadn't seen her before.

me back to reality. "Cylan, are you listening to

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

me again, this time on her way back down under the stairs to get some washed towels. She caught my eye and smiled, and I felt my heart flutter. It looked like she would be there awhile and I didn't like someone listening

I