No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Dustin walked over with a frosty look, confronting his parents head on.

Immediately, Herschel's face soured, "Dustin, are you really set on walking this dark path?"

Dustin met their gaze, "In my memory, ever since my brother was born, everything changed. Mom and Dad coddled him, loved him, while I was sidelined. You'd tuck him in bed with you, and I'd be left alone, scared, huddling under the covers in my own room." "You said he was just a baby, but did you ever think? I was only a few years older, still a child myself, also craving my parents' affection."

"He took everything from me my toys, my clothes, my everything. You didn't care about what I wanted; as long as he desired it, you'd use the 'big brother' card on me, expecting me to give in."

"Under your manipulation and threats, I became the brother who always had to give way to him. It became a habit, even if I liked something, I'd let him choose first. If he took it, I'd be left to cry in the middle of the night."

Dustin's words visibly shook their parents, and I could see the hurt in his eyes.

He had bottled these feelings up for over twenty years, and today, they finally came pouring out.

"Then, Felicia came into our lives, and I liked her the moment I saw her. But you said she was destined for Rad, my brother. Again, I had to hide my feelings..."

Dustin's gaze met mine as he spoke, his love twisted but undeniably pure.

"Then you handed the company over to Rad, coming up with all sorts of praises for me, all to send me abroad. In the four years I was overseas, how often did you visit? Not once did you ask me to come back, not even for Rad's engagement..."

knew you were worried I'd screw up your plans. But guess what? Your plans fell through anyway,

let out a bitter laugh, saying, "You were afraid I'd take advantage, but do you have any idea how much that hurt me? I've doubted countless times whether I was even your biological child, even

the one you loved first, so why do I end up feeling like

to swallow all

because I'm

charming of

But why even when Rad and Felicia are out

picture, and I just

my

you still object? Just because you're afraid your favorite son might

I always

finished speaking, the tension in his voice

are you

you should ask yourself that," Conrad interjected, heightening the already strained

I was the spark that ignited this

QUMS