Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 22

(Cylan's POV)

I sighed in relief, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Thanks, Ellen. I just feel like I need help in the dating game, especially... in here."

Ellen chuckled. "You don't need it, Cylan. You're rich, after all. You're Cylan Cooper."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "That's not going to help me with dating, Ellen."

Damn right I was Cylan Cooper, and that came with its own set of privileges. But when it came to love, I was just as clueless as the next person.

I sighed.

"Besides, I'm not even sure I still have claim to the Cooper name," I said, a hint of bitterness creeping into my voice.

Ellen's eyes brow shot up as she looked at me. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice soft but probing.

"My parents," I said finally, "are threatening to disown me if I don't denounce being gay. I'm not sure I even have an inheritance anymore."

Ellen's face darkened, her eyes flashing with anger. "What? That's ridiculous," she exclaimed. "They can't do that to you, Cylan. You're their daughter, no matter what."

I shrugged, resigned. "They can, and they will. They're stubborn, Ellen. And they're willing to do whatever it takes to get me to conform to their expectations."

Ellen's face was red with anger. "That's not right, Cylan. You deserve so much better than that."

I smiled wryly. "Thanks, Ellen. But I'll be fine. I've been dealing with this for a while now."

Ellen sighed. "You'll be fine, really. You're their only daughter, after all," she said. "They'll come around eventually."

I smiled, even though I didn't believe a word of that. My father had let me know that I was indispensable right from when I was young. I wouldn't be surprised if he actually did disown me. She had always been there for me, no matter what. "They want me to marry some guy," I said, my voice laced with disgust. "The first son of the Lloyd family. An arranged marriage, Ellen. Can you believe it?"

eyes widened in shock. "What? That's... that's crazy. Why would they

interests, I guess. The Lloyd family has a lot of influence and power, and my parents think that marrying me off to their

in distaste. "That's so archaic. And what about your feelings? Don't

"Of course not. I'm just a

into construction or

"Yeah, something like that. They're a big deal in the industry, and my parents think that marrying me off to their son will give them

go through this Cylan.

"Thank you."

at her watch and stood up. "I have to be somewhere,

standing up to hug her goodbye.

corner, someone who accepted me for who I was. I sat back down, my mind racing with thoughts of Emily

....

(Unknown POV)

room, she felt uneasy in her stomach. She got into her car and sat there for a moment, trying to process her emotions. She had always been protective

laughter and tears they had shared. She realized that she had been holding onto their past relationship for too long, and it was time

felt like you needed to ask me before seeing someone else shows that I'm still really involved in your life. Alex had said it but I

not like that. I know I've been around a lot lately, and I don't want you to feel like you can't move on

hitting send, wondering if

She sent a rolling eyes emoji, followed by a message. "Are you texting and driving? Cus it's

and typed out

we? That's why I told you about Emily. I want to be able

feel suffocated by her presence in her life. She typed out a response, "I know, I

laughing emoji. "You're not that friend,

"Okay, if you say

another message, this one a picture of

note said "Would you like to hang out later tonight or pass..." Ellen's eyes widened

Ellen asked, her voice barely above a whisper,