My Boyfriend's Brother

This man.

Meghan POV

(Flashback continued)

Life was becoming more complicated than I had ever imagined. This wasn’t just about losing my parents; I was struggling to cope with the emptiness their absence left behind. I had been loved deeply by them, and now I was trying to navigate a world where that love no longer existed. The weight of their loss pressed down on me, and every day felt like a test of endurance.

Ethan had been my anchor through it all. I blamed myself constantly for not learning to love him in the way he wanted, even after all his patience and kindness. Ethan had been nothing but good to me—a true friend and boyfriend—but my heart had yet to reciprocate the love he desired. I loved him, yes, but more like the brother I never had, not in the romantic sense he hoped for.

The last few weeks had passed in a strange rhythm. Life at home was uneventful, except for Jeff’s constant teasing and Ethan’s patient attempts to express his love. I had begun to accept this odd balance, knowing that soon it would be time to return to campus and chase the dreams my parents had envisioned for me.

One evening, as I rested on the couch, the doorbell rang. I hoped it was Ethan and not Jeff. I hurried to the door, my heart beating faster with anticipation.

To my surprise, it wasn’t either of them. A messenger boy stood there, holding a large envelope. I blinked, puzzled. Automatically, my mind jumped to one conclusion: it must be for Jeff.

“Jeff is not around, but I can accept anything on his behalf,” I said cautiously.

“I am here to deliver something to Miss Meghan,” the messenger boy said.

“That’s me,” I replied, taking the envelope, though curiosity and apprehension battled within me. After signing for it, I watched him leave and quickly retreated to the couch, clutching the envelope in my hands. My fingers trembled as I opened it.

Inside were papers—documents that shocked me to my core. I couldn’t believe my eyes. This couldn’t be happening. I jumped to my feet, pacing around the room in disbelief. My only hope—the foundation that had kept me going through the last few months—was crumbling right before me.

Another knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. My heartbeat quickened as I moved to see who it could be. I wasn’t thinking clearly; instinct took over. The moment the door opened, I threw myself into the arms of whoever stood there, crying uncontrollably.

When I slowly pulled back, I realized with a mixture of shock and disbelief that my mysterious comforter was none other than Jeff. He stood there, composed as ever, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips as he watched my reaction. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

“What is wrong with you?” he asked, his voice cold and measured. I couldn’t bring myself to answer. Instead, I stared at the scattered papers on the floor, hoping he would understand without words.

“What are these papers doing lying on the ground? Can you not be organized for once? Quickly, begin picking them up,” he barked, his tone making me feel smaller than ever. My legs shook as I bent down to gather the documents, one by one, my hands trembling.

“Be quick. There are more tasks I want you to do,” he added, his voice still commanding.

“How many times must I tell you to stop treating my girlfriend like she’s trash?” Ethan’s voice thundered through the room. I had never seen him this angry. He stormed toward his brother, and I knew something terrible might happen if I didn’t intervene.

“Ethan!” I called desperately, afraid of what might unfold. He immediately turned to me. Without hesitation, I ran to him and hugged him tightly. My reasons were twofold: I was terrified being alone with Jeff, and I feared that if Ethan and Jeff clashed, it would be my fault.

“I need to talk to you,” I said, still clinging to him.

“Let’s talk in my bedroom,” he said, taking my hand and guiding me away.

“Where are you going? Talk from here!” Jeff’s voice roared after us, making my frustration flare. Sometimes, he was more irritating than he had any right to be.

“I wanted you to see these,” I said, handing Ethan the papers from the envelope. He took them carefully, scanning through each document. His expression mirrored my shock and disbelief.

“How did this happen?” he asked, his voice heavy with concern. I could only shake my head, my mind spinning.

After my parents’ mysterious deaths, I knew all their property had been taken over, yet I had believed my trust fund remained untouched.

That trust fund had been my safety net, the one thing that would allow me to finish my studies. And now, it seemed, even that had been wiped out. My heart sank, and a cold wave of despair washed over me.

I had survived so much, only to feel completely powerless once again. The weight of loss, the threats to my independence, and the constant tension with Jeff created a storm inside me that I didn’t know how to weather.

Ethan’s presence offered some comfort, but even he couldn’t erase the fear and helplessness I felt at that moment.

As I sat on the bed in Ethan’s room, clutching the papers and trying to process the devastation, I realized that my life had been stripped down to nothing-again.

But deep inside, a small flame of determination flickered. I couldn’t give up, no matter how unfair the world seemed.

I would find a way to recover, to reclaim what was mine, and to make my parents proud. Even if it meant enduring Jeff’s scorn and navigating the challenges that lay ahead, I would survive.