2. FOR FAMILY

LUCAS

Mom had her arms outstretched in front of the double doors while dad stood beside her with a gleaming smile as Connie ran to them when we got home.

He jumped into her arms and Dad patted his back, grinning at him now.

“You had a wonderful day, I guess?” She asked him. Connie nodded, turning to us—his aunt, Ella and me.

“I did! I want Aunt Ella to always be at my school, she’s so fun!”

Ella laughed, but I said nothing. I let them walk into the house, going to sit out in the grand foyer, knowing my parents didn’t even care to see me, and there was nothing for us to talk about.

My mind drifted to Clara and my fingers hovered over my screen to text her, but what would I say? She had looked very pissed, and it just ruined my mood even more.

My brother’s child was my child. What kind of brother would I be if I didn’t keep life comfortable for him? I knew that Connie had changed a lot from how he used to be, but he just lost both parents—the little boy was going through it, for God’s sake.

I flung my phone across the table, gritting my teeth and was just about taking out a cigarette when Connie trudged out of the house, all smiles.

I forced a smile back, “Hey buddy. What are you doing out here?”

“Grandma said to say thanks for coming today with Aunt Ella. I wish you both would come more often.” He replied, walking into my arms.

“Yeah, about that. Today will be the last time we will go together to your school as your parents. I would instead come over with my wife, from now on.”

He stared up at me with sad eyes, “Uncle, can’t Aunt Ella be your wife? Why won’t you marry her?”

My arms loosened around him and eventually, my face twisted in a frown. “Why would you ask that? I can’t marry your Aunt Ella. I’ve said it countless times, I will be marrying Aunt Clara, you’ll be our page boy, too.”

“I don’t want to! I want Aunt Ella! Why can’t you marry Aunt Ella? I just asked for one thing!” He began to throw a tantrum at once and with a groan, I gripped his arm, jerking him towards me with a stern expression, not caring that his cheeks were stained with tears already.

“Listen up, Connie, you will stop this. You do not dictate who I get married to. Do you understand?”

But his wailing only got louder, until my parents and Ella ran out, looking between us with panic written all over their faces. Yes, any issue with Connie was always blown out of proportion, so hearing him cry was like some sort of emergency.

He ran to them and pointed at me while in mom’s arms, “He doesn’t want to marry Aunt Ella. He wants to marry Aunt Clara, but she’s an ugly troll, and I don’t like her.”

“Lucas,” my mother snapped, “you should listen to the child. After all, he’s like your own son.”

I exhaled heavily, running a hand through my hair. “Mother, stop this nonsense. I’m not marrying Ella.”

“But.. But Aunt Clara isn’t nice anymore. She only cares about herself! Ella is better. You should marry her!” my nephew insisted between sobs, his small fists clenched at his sides.

My jaw tightened. “That’s enough,” I said, my tone cold. “I’m marrying Clara, it’s not even up for debate.”

At that, my nephew wailed even louder. My father shot me a look, disapproving. “Lucas, you can’t be so heartless.”

I let out a low chuckle, devoid of humor. “Heartless? Because I won’t let a child tell me who to marry?”

My father’s frown deepened. “You owe it to your brother.”

I clenched my fists, watching them retreat inside, leaving just Ella there.

I couldn’t count how many times had I heard that line. My life, my choices—they all had to revolve around my dead brother. My patience was nearly all gone because of them, and I pulled out a cigarette. But before I could light it, Ella stepped forward.

“This isn’t right,” she said cautiously.

I lifted my gaze to her. “Excuse me?”

“They can’t raise a child like this,” she continued, her expression full of pity. “Giving in to his every whim just because he lost his parents will only make him entitled. If my sister were alive, she would want him to be well-mannered.”

I let out a slow breath, studying her. “I think they only want the best for him.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. I flicked my cigarette between my fingers, then sighed. “I appreciate you coming today, skipping work and all. Thank you.” I said, my voice flat.

Ella hesitated. “It was the least I could do, and I’d do anything for Connie. But… Clara won’t mind?”

I scoffed. “Since when did you care what my fiancée thinks?”

She shrugged, trying to hide a smile. I knew she didn’t really care about Clara like that, but she was nice to her unlike the rest of my family, I’d give it to her.

“Clara understands the need for me to be there for my family. She doesn’t mind.” I assured myself more than her and she simply nodded.

Finally, I threw the cigarette to the floor and got up to leave in search of my wife-to-be, when Ella pulled me back, her eyes suddenly teary,

“Lucas, I need to ask something from you, please…”

I frowned. “What?”

Tears brimmed in her eyes. “My friend… She suddenly developed a heart condition. It’s so serious that if she doesn’t get a transplant soon, like, in a few days… she’ll die. Please, help me find a matching heart.”

Her grip on my hand was desperate.

“The hospital is looking for a match, but they’re struggling. I just thought… maybe you’d have some contacts. Someone who could help speed things up.”

I hesitated. Clara’s name flashed through my mind. She had a heart condition too, but she hadn’t messaged me since she left today. Was she that fucking upset?

My voice came out harsher than intended when I finally answered Ella, wiggling free from her grip. “Contact my assistant.”

Ella’s relief was immediate. “Thank you! Thank you so much.”

I nodded, ready to walk away again, but just then, Clara’s message brightened my screen,

CLARA: This is Clara’s mom. She collapsed and is at the family doctor’s hospital.

Shit. I was almost at my car when my mother’s shriek floated through the hallway.

“He’s burning up!”

I turned sharply. “What?”

My mother rushed past, cradling my nephew. His cheeks were flushed, his breathing heavy.

“Damn it,” I muttered.

I had no time for this. But as I looked at the boy, my irritation dulled. He was sick. And regardless of my anger and eagerness to see Clara, I couldn’t ignore that.

I sighed and walked over. “I’ll take him to the hospital.”

Ella touched my arm. “I’ll come too.”

I glanced at her but said nothing. As I carried my nephew to the car, his small fingers weakly clung to my shirt.

“…Will you marry Aunt Ella?” he murmured feverishly.

My grip on him tightened, but I didn’t reply.