Chapter 2

Rupert flashed me a strained smile and raised his glass. "Terence, even though I'm devastated over losing the person I love, I still wish you and my senior, Louisa, a lifetime of happiness together."

I was slightly taken aback.

Rupert had always referred to Louisa as his sister-in-law. But now, he was acting as if she was nothing more than his senior.

Since it was my wedding day, I didn't want to make an issue out of it. I figured I'd finish my drink and put the matter behind me. To my dismay, Rupert let out a pained cry and collapsed.

Heartbroken, my parents quickly turned to me.

"Why don't you just call off the wedding and let Louisa marry Rupert, Terry?"

"Exactly. He has depression. Losing the person he loves will only make his condition worse. What are we going to do when that happens?"

"You're his older brother. You should be more understanding and put your younger sibling first. Just agree to it already!"

They grew more and more agitated as they pleaded with me. As usual, not one of them was on my side.

I was the one who'd been wronged. As my eyes welled up with tears, I asked, "If I had depression too, would you go out of your way for me as well?"

Dad flew into a rage.

"What is that supposed to mean? Are you making fun of Rupert? I ought to teach you a lesson!" He clenched his fists.

If there weren't any guests around, he might have actually struck me.

Tears suddenly streamed down Rupert's cheek.

He'd just fainted, and his eyes were still closed. How on earth could he be crying?

Despite his theatrics, Mom looked utterly heartbroken.

"Please, Terry. Just let your brother be with Louisa. I'm begging you," she cried. Then, she proceeded to drop to her knees in front of me.

I panicked and tried to pull her up, but she refused to get up. She stayed there, kneeling before me, as she tried to pressure me into giving in to their demands.

Then, Louisa flashed me a guilty look. "I don't want anything to happen to Rupert, Terry. Let me take him home for now. I promise I'll come back."

I knew Louisa inside out. After what she said back then, I knew she had no intention of coming back.

I couldn't hold back my tears. In the end, all I could do was watch them leave.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

My reflection showed a handsome young man with fair skin and sharp features. I was dressed in a suit that made me look like an elegant groom.

That day was supposed to be the day I got married. But right now, I just felt like a fool.

…

All of a sudden, a knock sounded at the door.

Louisa had arrived.

The moment my family saw her, they greeted her warmly and ushered her inside.

She had come to discuss the remaining details of Rupert and her wedding, which was scheduled for next week. When she looked around the room, she asked quizzically, "Where's Terence? Did he not come back to spend Thanksgiving with you guys?"

Rupert immediately teared up.

"Terence must've refused to come home because he's angry with us. I really didn't mean for any of this to happen," he sobbed.

Louisa pulled him into a comforting embrace. "I shouldn't have brought him up. Forget about him. His presence would only dampen the mood anyway. Don't be upset. Just focus on our upcoming wedding."

He broke into a smile. "Don't say things like that. He's still my brother no matter what."

His thoughtful, considerate remarks earned him the praise and admiration from everyone in the room. Naturally, his words also gave them another reason to criticize me.

Compared to him, I was always the stubborn, difficult one. No matter what I'd achieved, Rupert always found a way to make sure my family never congratulated me.

Of all the times it happened, the incident that stayed with me most was when my essay won first prize in a writing competition.

Back then, I had invited my parents to the award ceremony, and the organizers had even planned to interview my family for a news feature. My parents had agreed to come. But on the day of the ceremony, they called to say they couldn't make it.

"Rupert is crying again, and now he can barely move his arms and legs. He must be having another episode. We need to stay with him."

Before I could say anything, they hung up. In the end, I had to accept my award, give my speech, and apologize to the organizers all by myself.

Since my parents weren't there, the organizers had to rearrange the program.

They lectured me with grim expressions and made pointed remarks that were clearly directed at me. But despite that, I didn't dare to defend myself, and I did everything I could to hold back my tears.

Afterward, I came across a photo on Rupert's social media page.

My parents had taken him to an amusement park. In the photo, he was sitting on a carousel horse, grinning happily as he flashed the camera a peace sign.

Was that what depression was supposed to look like? Why did Rupert always seem to have another episode whenever I needed my parents?

If anything, I was the one who was truly depressed.