No Longer Ours

It was not true.I lowered my gaze and stared at the deformed bones in my fingers. On rainy days, the pain would keep me awake the entire night.Maybe in the past, I would have exaggerated it on purpose, just to make her worry. Maybe I would have used the injury to coax a kiss out of her.But now, I would not. After all, no one would keep degrading themselves forever.Sadie Knight bit her lower lip and let out a soft sigh. "Ian, lying isn't a good habit. You used to be afraid of pain."I lowered my brows, masking my emotions. "You said it yourself. That was the past."She looked a little helpless, as if she wanted to take my hand the way she used to."Bad man! Mommy, don't touch him! Daddy will hear about this!"Ethan Walker charged forward and slammed into me. Then he bit down hard on my thigh. A dull, numbing pain spread through my leg."Get away! This is all your fault! If it weren't for you, Mommy wouldn't be mad at Daddy. Daddy hates you! Don't you dare seduce my mommy! D

After he stayed, Finn always seemed uneasy, a trace of fear hidden in his eyes. I smiled and reassured him, telling him this was his home too. He gripped my hand, visibly moved. "Thank you, Ian. You treat me better than my parents ever did. I'll work hard and repay you one day."I laughed and lightly punched his shoulder, then took the initiative to teach him the ropes of the company. I helped him dress better, guided him into high society, and even stepped in to solve problems for him whenever he ran into trouble.I thought that with one more person around, my wife would have it easier. I genuinely wanted him to do well.And he did. He gradually became more articulate and confident. When I took him out, I often introduced him as my brother from another mother.Sadie began to change too. The gifts she bought slowly became two sets instead of one. She started talking to him more, even acting spoiled with him occasionally.Finn would hover around her, smiling as he picked up her wor

Sadie would not give me any money, so I could not even make it to the hospital.I did not know how many days I had lain at home before Ethan came. For a moment, I thought I was imagining things.He stood in front of me, holding a cup of water, his eyes lowered. "D-Dad…"I thought it was an illusion when he handed me a cup of water. "Drink."I believed him without hesitation and drained it in one go, not leaving a single drop.I pulled him into my arms, trembling, my chest aching unbearably. "Ethan… say it again…"His body stiffened.Gradually, something felt wrong with my body. Only then did I realize that something had been put in the water.As my breathing grew labored, he shoved me away and ran. "You're so gullible! If Dad hadn't promised me candy, I wouldn't have called you that! Ew!"He did not even look back.I stared at his retreating figure, no strength left even to breathe."What…"…The hospital issued multiple critical condition notices and tried to call my emer

Over the past few years, I asked myself the same question again and again. Had I really done something so unforgivable that I deserved to end up like this? But I had not done anything at all.I had been exceptional since childhood—someone everyone envied. And yet now, I did not even dare to close my eyes.I was afraid that even in my dreams, those nightmares would still chase me.…Early the next morning, I went to the cemetery and bought the plot next to my mother's. I bent down to wipe her headstone, but the more I wiped, the more exhausted I became, until I finally sank down beside it, too weak to keep going."Mom, I miss you so much. Wait for me. It won't be long."Was she crying somewhere in the sky too? Did she regret agreeing to everything back then?My mother had been decisive and formidable at the company, yet she had saved all her gentleness for me. She used to hold my hand and say, "Ian, my love, you will only live a good life in the future. You won't have to suffer w

When I woke again, the sun was already setting. Outside the window, the sky was washed in a deep orange glow.Their story was trending online again. This time, along with it came even more explicit photos. Someone had sent them to me anonymously with a text and a video attached.'They look so happy together. Like the real thing. Far more natural than when she was in bed with you.'I opened the video without any reaction. It was no different from what I had seen before."Ian! Don't watch that!" Sadie rushed in, the audio from the phone still playing. She snatched it from my hands, trying to turn it off but failing. In the end, she threw it out the window, her voice trembling with desperation. "Don't look. I'll handle it. Please…"I gave a quiet hum, not particularly bothered.She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me, repeating over and over, "Trust me. Please trust me."She leaned in to kiss me, but instinctively, I turned my head away. She froze for a moment, biting he