Shattered Trust, My Brother’s Cruelest Betrayal

The night before the new drug’s release, I was dragged into a desolate alley by more than ten men.

By the time help arrived, my intestines had prolapsed, and my limbs were twisted into grotesque, unnatural angles.

My brother pulled every string he could, vowing to bring my attackers to justice.

However, my future sister-in-law’s best friend went a step further. She contacted the nation’s top medical team and flew them in overnight to save me.

But as I lay on the stretcher at the emergency room entrance, their hushed voices reached my ears.

“Honey, do you think we went too far? Was it too much to have so many men violate Camila just to get her research results so Amara could release the drug first?”

A suffocating silence followed. Then, my brother’s voice was low.

“Camila is too selfish. She’s already the eldest daughter of the Murphy family, yet she’s never satisfied. She keeps making things difficult for Amara. Amara has always been fragile and sensitive. She’s just an adopted daughter. She has no one else to rely on but me. I won’t let anyone stand in her way.”

A bitter chuckle rumbled from his throat.

“As for Camila, she still holds the title of my biological sister. No one will look down on her, even after this. Once Amara secures that medical award, I’ll make it up to her somehow.”

Make it up to me? Brother, you’ve already destroyed my body. Do I even have a future left?

Silent tears traced hot paths down my cheeks.

This house was built on lies and favoritism. I no longer wanted any part of it.

——

The doctor repeated the question.

“Mr. Murphy, are you certain you don’t want to proceed with the surgery? If we delay any longer, Camila won’t just be permanently disabled. She might become paralyzed and require a catheter for the rest of her life.”

Without a flicker of hesitation, my brother’s response was firm. “No surgery.”

A brief silence hung in the air before my best friend spoke, her voice carrying a trace of hesitation.

“Honey, Camila’s body is already ruined to this extent. She won’t be able to attend the drug launch tomorrow, regardless. She’s your biological sister. Do you want to see her crippled?”

His reply was cold, devoid of sympathy.

“If she’s crippled, then so be it. Without her limbs, she’ll finally stop trying to steal Amara’s spotlight.”

He dipped a towel into a basin of warm water, carefully wiping the sweat from my face, his voice laced with eerie tenderness.

“I promised Amara she would win this award without a single hitch. Only if Camila is completely disabled can Amara finally feel at ease.”

My best friend sighed before giving the doctor a knowing glance.

“Give Camila pain relief. Use the best painkillers the hospital has. Make sure she doesn’t feel a thing.”

Where no one was watching, my body trembled uncontrollably, and silent tears of despair streamed down my face.

So, my suffering wasn’t an accident.

It was a carefully laid trap orchestrated by the brother I had trusted the most, all to remove me as an obstacle for Amara. Even Juliette Collins, the best friend I had treated with sincerity, played a role in my downfall.

A searing pain tore through my body, leaving me gasping.

Juliette noticed my pillow was drenched in sweat. Her breath hitched as her tears spilled onto the back of my hand.

“Camila, it’s me, Juliette. Did you wake up from the pain?” Her voice quivered with emotion. “Don’t be scared. I’m right here.”

She turned on the doctors, her distress morphing into fury.

“How are you administering the medication? Be gentle! Don’t touch her wounds. Can’t you see she’s in agony?”

My brother was even more frantic.

The towering man, over six feet tall, buried his face in his hands, his shoulders trembling with heavy sobs as if he wished he could take my pain upon himself.

Through gritted teeth, he cursed, his voice thick with rage.

“How dare they hurt my sister like this? Just locking those bastards up is too easy. I should have them chopped into pieces and thrown into the sea to feed the fish.”

Then, as if realizing his own words, he turned to me, his eyes brimming with guilt.

“Camila, I’ve already called the country’s top specialists to treat you, but…” He hesitated. “There was an accident on the way. They won’t be able to arrive until tomorrow at the earliest.”

He reached for my hand, his voice filled with forced reassurance.

“Don’t worry, no matter what, I’ll save you. I’ll help you continue your research on the new drug.”

I stared at his impeccable act with vacant eyes, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Brother, will I get better?”

“You will. Definitely.”

He spoke with conviction, yet his eyes wavered, refusing to meet mine. He was heavy with guilt and thick with lies.