I sat in my office, my thoughts drifting far away.

Back in elementary school, every winter and summer break, Thayer loved to grab a basketball and run wild.

By the time school started again, his homework remained untouched.

Afraid the teacher would scold him, he would try to pass off the work I had done as his own.

My parents had a convenient excuse: my grades were excellent.

Even if I didn’t turn in my homework, the teacher would never blame me.

Thayer was different.

If he didn’t do his homework, the teacher would certainly reprimand him in front of the whole class.

For a boy, that would be utterly humiliating.

To protect Thayer’s reputation, I redoubled my effort.

From then on, every holiday, I sensibly prepared two sets of homework.

In high school, Thayer started dating early. He pursued the campus beauty with dramatic flair, got into fights, and kept on the good side of every teacher.

Although his grades were poor, his outgoing personality naturally drew many friends.

From childhood onward, every whim of his had someone to catch him when he fell.

I, on the other hand, had to live cautiously, weighing every step I took.

In college, he met Isolde at an off-campus music festival. They performed at a small bar and formed a temporary band.

Over two months, while I hustled through part-time jobs to cover tuition, they threw themselves onto the stage, letting youth and recklessness spill freely.

I had assumed that after graduation, I would save enough money to finally escape my family.

Until that night, when Thayer returned home late, reeking of alcohol.

My parents woke in the middle of the night, cooked a meal for him, and changed his clothes.

The entire household revolved around him.

Then, drunk and slurring, he said something that shocked everyone: He was going to be a father.

For a long while, the house fell into an eerie silence.

My parents fumbled, panicked by the sudden news.

Meanwhile, I worked tirelessly during the holidays, hopping between jobs to save for university.

The laziest person in the house, surprisingly, was Thayer. He had no awareness that his life was about to change.

To cover up the scandal, my parents insisted he stay home, shut indoors.

On the other hand, my family had already arranged the marriage with the Fairchilds.

Once the baby was born, a paternity test would confirm the lineage, and then the wedding would take place.

Everything had been agreed upon carefully. The Fairchilds, pressed by circumstances, had no choice but to accept the arrangement.

If the scandal had leaked, the Fairchilds' reputation would have been destroyed, even affecting their company’s stock.

The night before the wedding, I took the train home, a journey of over four hours.

But the next day, Thayer disappeared.

The house was left with only Sera and the Fairchilds, their faces dark and tense.

Isolde glared, and my parents stood awkwardly, unsure how to act. Their gazes slowly shifted to me.

Mom seemed to grasp at a lifeline.

“We still have another son! He’s never even dated! Let him make it up to you!”

Dad quickly echoed her.

“Right! Caspian! Come on! Your brother’s gone. At this point, you have to step in!”

I froze in place, my mind still trying to process it.

Before I could react, my parents grabbed my hands, pulled me toward the changing room to put on a suit.

I struggled with all my strength, my heart sinking to the depths.

Anger and disbelief swirled together.

The first twenty years of my life had been spent under Thayer’s shadow. Now, my adulthood was expected to be sacrificed for him.

Grief filled me. My nose tingled, eyes burning.

It was the first time I truly broke down.

“Why?” I shouted as I pulled my hands free.

“Why should I take responsibility for his recklessness? This is his problem, not mine!”

At my words, Dad struck me sharply across the face.

“That’s your brother!”

I staggered a few steps, feeling a burning pain across my face.

Mom cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“This is too much, what your Thayer did—but you can’t just watch our family fall apart! The guests are waiting for the groom!”

My face went ashen.

“I’m not getting married!” I said through clenched teeth.

No matter how they pleaded, no matter if they tried to coerce me physically, I stood firm.

I pressed a knife to my own throat, my eyes red, and said, “If anyone forces me, I’ll end it myself!”

After that, no one dared move.

I didn’t know if they were afraid I might die, or if they feared creating an even bigger mess by causing a death.

Whatever their reason, I didn’t care.

I had already graduated. Once I found a job, I could finally claim my freedom.

Everyone in the room froze.

Eventually, it was Isolde who suggested we talk alone.

Everyone else was ushered out.

Inside the dressing room, it was only her and me.

Half an hour later, the door opened. I had changed into the wedding suit, expressionless, and took Isolde’s hand.

A grim smile—more hideous than crying—clung to my face as I completed the ceremony.

My thoughts drifted as I stood by the window, looking down at the floors below.

This position—the place I had clawed and scraped toward over ten years—was finally mine.

A chill ran through me, and suddenly, hands wrapped around me from behind.

I jumped, but the scent of cherry blossoms at my nose made me relax.

“What were you thinking about? You didn’t even notice me come in,” a light voice whispered in my ear.

I smiled. “Thinking about tomorrow’s investor meeting.”

Isolde took my hand, smiling at me.

“I trust you. Your abilities are obvious to everyone.”

A raised an eyebrow but smiled still.

“Why are you at the office? Isn’t the headquarters busy?”

“Nothing urgent. I came to pick you up, and to mention that Sera wants to see that new movie tomorrow.”

I nodded absentmindedly.

Isolde leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.

I ruffled her hair.

That day, when I returned home, I did not see Thayer.

He was unnervingly quiet.

I assumed my parents had trapped him at home to protect the company’s interests—just as they had years ago.

I was mentally and physically exhausted these past few days.

That night, I collapsed into bed, and in the middle of the night, a soft presence hugged me tightly from behind.

The next day, at the investor event, powerful figures clinked glasses all around me.

I worked the crowd and stole a moment to slip into the back lounge.

Seraphina sat quietly on the sofa, waiting.

Her eyes lit up when she saw me.

“Daddy, after this, can we go watch the movie?”

I smiled indulgently and tickled her nose.

“Of course. When we promise you something, we always keep our word.”

My answer made her giggle.

Seeing her so happy, I felt a flicker of calm.

But from the start of the investor meeting, a bad premonition gnawed at me.

I drew a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Inside the ballroom, my gaze landed on a familiar figure.

My body stiffened.

Not far away, Thayer was speaking to Isolde.

Her back was to me, so I could not read her expression.

Then, Thayer saw me.

He pointed at me, face twisted in rage, “I am your husband! He has no shame—he stole you and our daughter!”

In an instant, every eye in the room turned to me.