Chapter 3

I would forgive everything as long as my family and I stayed together.

Mom, however, suddenly looked hesitant as she sighed. "Actually, Hunter, we're here to talk to you about something. Because of your report to the higher-ups, Lorraine was punished in the unit.

"She says she doesn't blame you and knows you're fighting for the transfer back to the city when she already has a slot."

Dad quickly nodded. "If you agree to attend the adoption ceremony for Rowan as part of our family, she'll give you the slot."

Any affection I thought I had felt from them vanished in that moment.

This was it. It was all for Rowan again. Mom and Dad only came to me because they feared his reputation might not rise as an orphan. They wanted to be his backing.

I closed my eyes, letting the tears slide down my cheeks. Finally, I exhaled, defeated.

"Fine. I'll be there."

…

The adoption ceremony Mom and Dad threw for Rowan was extravagant, to say the least. Everyone in the base housing had shown up.

Rowan and Lorraine walked in hand in hand, like a perfectly matched couple. I stood off to the side, holding a plate of tidbits, watching Rowan bow deeply to my parents.

They laughed and chatted with him as they helped him up, presenting a symbolic gift to mark the start of their new relationship.

How ridiculous. It had been forever since I saw such heartfelt smiles from them.

Rowan then walked over to me, opening his arms with an almost teasing warmth. "Hunter, from now on, I'm your older brother. Now, aren't you going to hug your big bro?"

His gentle expression hid a subtle provocation. My whole body went rigid. I gripped the plate so hard my knuckles whitened, and I was speechless.

One teased, "Hey, Rowan. Is Hunter now your brother-in-law or younger brother?"

The other joked, "And are you guys actually sharing a wife?"

Lorraine's face darkened instantly. "Zip it!"

She turned to me. "Hunter, he's your brother now. You might not be used to it yet, but at least save him the embarrassment. Come on, acknowledge him, or they won't stop poking fun at him."

Mom and Dad looked earnest, pressing me to acknowledge Rowan as my brother.

Of course, they had thought of everything for Rowan. If I recognized him as my brother, the one getting mocked would be me.

Faced with my hesitation, Rowan tried to smooth things over. "Alright, everyone, let's not push Hunter. I was an orphan, but now, I have Mom, Dad, and Lorraine. Honestly, what more could I ask for?"

He inched closer and spoke in a lowered voice. "Your parents and wife are now all mine. Did you really think you ended up in the hospital two years ago because of an accident?

"Let me be honest, as your older brother. It was Lorraine who had someone tamper with your medication because she didn't want the higher-ups to choose you over me for the position.

"Ever wondered why last year's promotion slot changed? Well, she destroyed all your chances."

A loud crash pierced the air. My hands had shaken so badly that I couldn't hold the plate, and it had slipped from my grip.

No wonder the doctor had looked at me so strangely back then. It turned out Lorraine had been manipulating my guilt to keep me from interfering with their lives, all so she could be with Rowan!

I couldn't take it anymore. I shoved Rowan to the ground, ready to strike him across the face. Before I could do that, though, Lorraine did it to me first.

"Are you a lunatic or what?" she screamed. "Rowan has been minding his own business, walking on eggshells around you. Seriously, what the hell has he done to you?"

She sneered. "No wonder your parents hated you so much that they had to look for someone else to be their son. A person like you doesn't deserve love."

Mom and Dad stayed close to Rowan, cold eyes fixed on me. It was only thanks to a kind neighbor that I was helped to my feet and led aside to rest.

After the commotion, the adoption ceremony went on as if nothing had happened. Mom and Dad smiled and chatted with Rowan, completely unbothered.

I sat alone, pressing a cold towel to my face, when I suddenly saw a school staff member rushing to my door.

"Hunter, the school just confirmed—you got the transfer slot back to the city! Pack your things and head to the station now! The bus from the city is already here to pick you up!"