Chapter 2

Steve buried his face in Mom's arms, playing the victim just as he had for the past three years.

He was adopted by Mom and Dad, but once he settled into our home, he started claiming that his money and valuables kept going missing.

Over time, Mom and Dad went from suspecting Aaron and me to openly despising us. We tried to explain ourselves, but it only destroyed whatever trust they had left.

Sure enough, the moment Steve said those words, the hesitation on my parents' faces gave way to anger.

Dad slapped me across the face.

"Even three years in the countryside couldn't straighten you two out!" he yelled. "What makes you think we'd let you come back home?

"I'm telling you, Nathan. You and Aaron aren't coming back until you stop lying through your teeth! You manipulate people and will do anything to get what you want. How did I end up with kids like you?"

Mom let out a disappointed sigh. "Your dad is right. Not only do you lie, but you're both jealous and spiteful. You can't even accept your own adopted brother. If you don't change…"

Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked away from me. "We'll have to pretend we never had sons like you."

I let out a bitter laugh. With parents like them, I would've been better off alone.

I used to think they were just blind to Steve's little mind games. It took me a long time to realize it was simply their way of keeping Aaron and me under their thumbs.

I stopped arguing and crouched down to pick up the flyers scattered across the street.

"Excuse me, could you step back a second? Thanks."

The pedestrians stepped aside, but many of them were whispering among themselves and judging me.

"Kid, just apologize to your parents and go home. Don't fight with them."

"Parents only want what's best for you. Look how upset you're making them."

"Some kids are just impossible to raise. I feel bad for his parents."

A lump formed in my throat, choking back every word I wanted to say. Aaron was missing, and my own parents refused to believe me. This wasn't something a simple apology could fix.

Ignoring the sharp, burning pain in my lower back, I gathered my flyers and kept handing them out along the street.

My efforts finally paid off the next afternoon when my phone rang. It was an officer from the local precinct, but the news he gave me was devastating.

"Nathan Payne? This is Officer Smith. We found your brother. He's at Fairway Hospital. You need to get here right away if you want to say goodbye."

My mind went completely blank. "W-What?"

I borrowed some cash from the owner of the restaurant where I worked and rushed to the hospital.

On the way there, memories of Aaron and me relying on each other through the worst days flashed through my mind like scenes from a movie.

When our parents sent us to the countryside, they claimed it was to toughen us up. They only gave us 100 dollars a month so we wouldn't "go astray".

If the neighbors hadn't helped feed us, Aaron and I would have starved. We repaid their kindness by helping with chores like cutting grass and feeding their livestock.

I never imagined human traffickers would kidnap Aaron while he was simply cutting grass near the main road.

That day, I stood helplessly at the edge of town and broke down in tears.

Desperate for money to save him, I went back home, swallowed my pride, and apologized to Steve for things I never did. I never expected them to accuse me of trying to scam them for money.

With nowhere else to turn, I sold a kidney for 80,000 dollars. But my parents took every cent and gave it to Steve to buy a luxury watch.