Too Late for Your Tears

In my heart, Ethan was never the adopted golden boy who stole my life. He was my dearest brother, the only one who truly cared.

When our parents refused to recognize me after I was brought back from that trailer park, Ethan knelt on the cold marble floor until his knees bled, begging them to let me stay.

When our highsociety classmates bullied me for my rustic accent, he slapped Harper—the ringleader of the rich kids—right across the face.

He was shaking with fear, yet he still smiled and patted my shoulder to comfort me. Even when it came to the family's multibilliondollar empire, he didn’t want a single cent.

He told everyone it all belonged to me. Later, he pushed Chloe to my side. Chloe was the crown jewel of our social circle.

She taught me proper etiquette, helped me get into an Ivy League school, and molded me into a true heir. On our graduation day, she confessed her love to me.

She said she wanted to marry me and spend the rest of her life by my side. The two of them were like bright, roaring flames.

They warmed my otherwise dark and hopeless life over and over again. Until today, when I came back from the hospital.

Through the cracked door of our future bridal suite, I saw Chloe sobbing in Ethan's arms. "Why are you forcing me to marry Brandon?" Chloe choked out, her voice filled with tears. "You know you're the one I've always loved!" Ethan didn't push her away.

His eyes were red as he whispered, "Stop, Chloe. Please, don't hurt Brandon.

We are all he has left..." Outside the door, my tears and a sudden nosebleed stained the medical report in my hand: [Patient’s estimated life expectancy: Less than one month.] I suddenly smiled.

It was perfect. Even the Grim Reaper was trying to make things right for them. Thud! The dizziness from the sudden blood loss made my knees buckle.

I crashed hard against the doorframe, and the medical papers slipped from my hand, scattering across the floor. As I scrambled to pick them up, the door was pulled open.

Ethan still had tears in his eyes. When he saw me bleeding on the floor, his face went completely pale. "Brandon! What happened?

Why are you bleeding so much?" I wiped my nose with the back of my hand. I looked up and forced a natural smile. "It’s nothing.

I was checking my phone while walking and crashed straight into the door." Ethan knelt down, using his expensive sleeve to wipe the blood from my face without a second thought. "How could you be so careless?

Does it hurt?" "Let me help you up first. I'll call the family doctor to make sure you didn't get a—" Before he could finish the word "concussion," Chloe’s eyes fell on the floor.

She frowned and reached down. "What is this?" My heart stopped. The medical report! No! Terrified, I lunged forward and snatched the paper away.

My voice cracked with panic. "Nothing!" They both stared at me, startled by my sudden outburst. Chloe's hand hovered in the air, her sharp eyes scanning the bloody paper.

Fortunately, the blood had smeared the critical words into an unreadable mess. I tried to act calm as I shoved the paper into my pocket. "Just the flu and some dehydration.

I went to the clinic, and the doctor got me some meds." "You know how dry the winter air gets. It makes my nose bleed so easily.

You two should stay hydrated too!" Chloe stared at me for a few long seconds. Finally, the suspicion in her eyes faded.

Then she asked hesitantly, "Brandon... did you hear anything just now?" I felt Ethan's grip tighten on my arm. I knew what they were afraid of. But honestly, it was fine.

Even if I knew the truth, I could never blame them. After all, I was the one who had stolen this life. Yet, my eyes burned, and tears threatened to spill.

I forced myself to look confused. "Hear what?" "I was too busy fighting with the doorframe. It hurt so bad I almost cried.

Did something happen?" Hearing this, Chloe let out a visible sigh of relief. Ethan's body relaxed too, and he helped me walk inside. "Nothing.

We were just discussing your wedding details." "Come on, let's get you inside and stop that bleeding." Chloe nodded and reached to close the door.

But right before it clicked shut— Bam! A hand with sharp knuckles blocked the door, pushing it wide open. Harper's arrogant, mocking face popped in.

She glared at me and yelled, "Brandon! Why did you run away when you saw me outside the oncology ward today?!" My heart sank. Oh, no.

I had indeed run into Harper at the hospital. I was wearing a mask, and my first instinct upon seeing someone I knew was to run.

I never expected her to recognize me, let alone follow me all the way home. Chloe tried to block her, but Harper completely ignored her. Harper marched right up to me.

She glanced at my pale face, reached into her pocket, and shoved a silver lapel pin into my hand. Her voice was as sharp as always. "You dropped your stuff and didn't even know.

I yelled your name, but were you deaf?" A lapel pin? I stared at my palm in confusion. I had never owned a pin like this. But I grabbed the excuse immediately.

I gave her an embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry, Harper. I wasn't feeling well and was in a rush." "I really didn't hear you.

Thank you so much for bringing it back to me." Harper stared at me with unusual intensity, as if she wanted to say something else. But in the end, she just sneered.

With her usual arrogance, she muttered, "How amusing.

The groom goes to the hospital alone, while the bride stays home playing house with his brother..." Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.

The room fell into an awkward, suffocating silence. I quickly broke the tension with a laugh. "Don't mind Harper. She’s hated me since we were kids.

She always tries to stir up drama between us.

Don't let her get to you." "Next time I see her dad, I'm definitely going to complain about her." Afraid they would overthink, I noticed Mrs.

Gable, our housekeeper, bringing dishes to the dining table.

I grabbed Chloe's sleeve with one hand and Ethan's arm with the other, forcing a cheerful smile. "Wow, that smells amazing. Let's eat!" "I've been running around all day.

I'm absolutely starving!" I was lying. With my cancer at this stage, hunger had long since disappeared. Even my sense of taste was completely gone.

But thanks to my act, the tension finally dissolved. At the table, I chewed the food mechanically. It tasted like ash. Across from me, Ethan suddenly remembered something.

He put down his fork with excitement. "Brandon, I bought a ton of fireworks for the backyard." "Why don't we go light them together after dinner?" I shook my head gently.

With my current physical state, I wouldn't survive a firework show without collapsing. "I'll pass, Chloe. The cold meds I took make me really drowsy.

I want to get some rest early tonight." "Ethan, why don't you go with Chloe?" Chloe smoothly took over the conversation.

They started talking about the fireworks, which quickly led to childhood memories. "Ethan, do you remember when we snuck fireworks into Grandpa's anniversary gala?

We ended up setting the guest room curtains on fire and hid in the closet all afternoon!" Chloe looked up, her beautiful eyes shining with a vibrant warmth.

It was a look she had never given me. "How could I forget?" Ethan laughed. "You ruined it by sneezing." "That was your fault!

You insisted on squeezing us into a closet full of air fresheners." "My fault? Who was the one holding the sparklers pretending to launch a rocket?

Look at our bigshot designer now, playing innocent!" They laughed, sharing a past I could never be a part of. I sat between them.

My bones ached, and every second felt like a slow, agonizing execution. Fortunately, Ethan was impatient to play.

Before dinner was even fully over, he dragged Chloe to the backyard. I used my drowsiness as an excuse and went upstairs to the master bedroom.

Standing by the massive floortoceiling window, I watched the backyard light up as bright as day.

Chloe was running around like a happy child, and Ethan stood just a few steps behind her, his eyes following her every move.

A firework shot into the sky, illuminating their laughing faces. Ethan turned around and caught sight of me standing by the window. He smiled and waved. "Brandon! Look!

Isn't it beautiful?" I forced a brilliant smile, waved back, and then put my hands together next to my cheek to signal I was going to sleep. They nodded.

I drew the heavy curtains shut. The moment the light was blocked, I rushed to the bathroom and began to throw up violently.

The pain curled my body, and I slid down onto the cold tiles. Instinctively, I crawled toward the nightstand and grabbed my painkillers with trembling hands.

Ignoring the recommended dosage, I swallowed a dozen pills dry. I grabbed the curtain to pull myself up. But as I did, I accidentally parted the fabric. Through the gap, I saw them.

Under the fading light of the fireworks, Chloe and Ethan were kissing.

The colorful sparks of the fireworks reflected off my deathly pale face on the glass. I slowly let go of the curtain. It fell back, sealing the room in darkness. How beautiful.

The fireworks, and them. The next morning, the smart blinds opened automatically.

The bright sunlight pierced my eyes, and I realized I had passed out on the floor and slept there all night. I gritted my teeth and dragged myself up.

I looked at the calendar on the nightstand. Today was circled. It was Ethan's birthday. In previous years, this day meant a mandatory family dinner.

Even our parents, who were always away on business, would fly back to celebrate with him. A bitter taste rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

I ran to the bathroom sink and coughed up a large amount of dark blood. I stared at the red stain. It seemed... I wouldn't even make it to the end of the month.

The man in the mirror was pale, with dark circles under his eyes—looking like a pathetic ghost. I washed my face and went downstairs. Mrs.

Gable looked shocked when she saw me. "Brandon, you look terrible..." I forced a smile, my voice incredibly hoarse. "I'm fine, Mrs. Gable. It's Ethan's birthday.

I always make him a warm sweet custard.

I want to do the same today." When I was first brought back to this family, my parents disliked me, my classmates bullied me, and I was too poor to buy a real gift.

I could only use the leftover ingredients in the kitchen to make him a cup of warm sweet custard. But Ethan never looked down on it.

He placed that cheap cup of custard right in the center of the lavish dining table and told everyone proudly: "This is the best dessert I've ever had.

My brother made it for me!" Ethan, I really don't want to die. I wanted to make you sweet custard for the rest of my life. I wanted to be your brother forever.

I forced myself to concentrate, carefully watching the custard simmer on the stove. But as it was almost done, another wave of severe dizziness hit me.

My heart hammered wildly against my ribs. I opened my pill bottle. My vision went completely black, and my body collapsed forward. Clatter! I knocked over the sugar jar, and Mrs.

Gable came running in. "Brandon! Are you alright?" "I'm fine. I just stood up too fast. The custard is done, Mrs. Gable.

Can you help me pour it?" I quietly squeezed the pills in my hand. I was too careless. I didn't realize that one of the heavy painkillers had slipped from my hand.

It had fallen into the pot. I was so stupid. I slept until the evening, woken up by the sound of laughter downstairs. Everyone had arrived.

My parents, Ethan, and Chloe were all in the living room, chatting happily. But the moment I walked in, the laughter died.

My mother glared at me, her voice cold. "You knew it was Ethan's birthday, yet you slept upstairs until now?

Where are your manners?" My father frowned in agreement. "All those years we paid for your boarding school abroad were a waste.

You haven't learned a thing about respect." I kept my eyes down, my nails digging into my palms. I silently endured the familiar scolding.

Ethan stood up immediately, walking over to grab my arm to defend me. "Mom, Dad, don't say that!" "Brandon wasn't feeling well. Brandon, are you okay?

Come sit next to me." His hand was warm. But I was too cold.

I didn't want to freeze him, so I gently pulled my arm away. "I'm much better." The conversation quickly shifted back to him.

I sat there quietly, watching my parents present Ethan with expensive designer bags and custom watches. I listened to them pamper him with endless warmth and laughter.

Chloe sat beside him, smiling gently, her eyes never leaving him. I felt like a stray dog, staring through a window at someone else’s warm home.

Halfway through the dinner, Ethan noticed my silence. Thinking I was upset by our parents' words, he nudged my arm playfully. "Alright, enough about the gifts.

My favorite present isn't even here yet! Brandon, where is my sweet custard?" "I've been saving room for it all night!" Seeing him like this, my heart melted. I turned to Mrs.

Gable. "It's ready. Please bring it out." The warm custard was placed in front of Ethan. He took a spoonful and swallowed it with a satisfied smile.

However, just a few seconds later— His smile froze.

He looked at me in shock, and the spoon clattered to the floor, making a sharp, echoing sound. "Ethan?" Chloe was the first to notice something was wrong.

In the next second, Ethan clutched his stomach, his body convulsing violently as white foam began to spill from his lips! "Ethan!" "Oh my god, Ethan!

What's happening?" My mother’s screams and Chloe’s frantic cries erupted at once. The living room instantly fell into complete chaos.

I stood there frozen, watching Ethan convulse in agony. Suddenly, the severe side effects of my heavy painkillers flashed through my mind: Muscle spasms and comatose state.

It was me... I had dropped a pill into his custard.

Everything after that was a nightmare. The family doctor arrived quickly and pumped Ethan's stomach. "He's out of danger, but he's unconscious and needs rest." My legs were shaking.

All I wanted was to step closer and see if Ethan was okay. But the moment I took a step forward, Chloe spun around and shoved me back violently!

I crashed against the wall, a sharp pain radiating through my spine. Her eyes were red.

Her usual elegance was replaced by raw fury and disappointment as she screamed at me: "Brandon!

How could you be so cruel?" Her hand shook as she pointed at me. "I just checked the kitchen security footage. You dropped a white pill into the pot!

Why would you try to poison him?" "No... it wasn't... I..." I wanted to explain that it was an accident, but my throat was tight, and I didn't know where to start.

My stuttering, however, looked like a confession to Chloe. "Who else could it be? I saw it with my own eyes! Ethan has been so good to you.

Do you even have a heart? “ “If it weren't for him begging your parents, you'd still be rotting in some trailer park!

Why would you hurt him?" Chloe stepped closer, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "Last night... by the window... you saw us, didn't you?" "It was my fault!

I couldn't control myself. If you want to hate someone, hate me! Ethan has only ever loved you as a brother.

He’s always protected you!" "You wanted to ruin our happiness, and now you want to take his life too?" I had no way to defend myself. I pulled out my pill bottle to show her. "No!

Chloe, let me explain..." But my mother rushed over and knocked the bottle out of my hand. She pointed at my face and screamed, "Explain? What is there to explain!" "Get out!

Get out of my house! The Vance family does not have a monster like you for a son!

If anything happens to Ethan, I will destroy you!" My father also shoved me toward the door with a cold, disgusted face. "Get out!

We don't ever want to see you again!" I was pushed out into the freezing, pouring rain.

I looked back at the utter coldness in Chloe’s eyes, the hatred on my parents’ faces, and Ethan lying unconscious on the bed.

I turned and stumbled away from the "home" that had never truly accepted me. The rain was heavy. I walked aimlessly along the street, completely soaked.

The phone in my pocket buzzed relentlessly, over and over. I pulled it out with numb fingers. It was Harper. How annoying. Was she calling to mock me too?

With the last of my strength, I threw the phone into the bushes. The world finally went quiet.

I didn't know how long I had been walking when an umbrella suddenly appeared over my head, blocking the torrential rain. I slowly looked up. Through the sheet of rain, I saw Harper.

Her hair and jacket were soaked. And to my shock, she was crying. "Brandon! If I hadn't looked into it, how long were you going to hide this?" "You're sick... you're so sick!

Why aren't you getting treatment? Walking in this rain, do you want to die?!" I stared at her, wanting to reply. It's not that I don't want treatment.

It's just that I can't be saved. But the moment I opened my mouth— Cough! A huge amount of dark blood erupted from my lips.

My vision went pitch black, and my body collapsed forward. "Brandon!" Terrified, Harper dropped the umbrella and caught me in her arms, holding me tightly against her chest. "What's wrong?

Don't scare me! Wake up! I'm taking you to the hospital!" "Brandon, don't sleep!" But I could no longer speak. The world was spinning.

All I could see was Ethan collapsing on the floor. I deserved this. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." I whispered weakly. Blood kept pouring from my mouth, staining her clothes.

Suddenly, I began to regret coming back to the Vance family. I never learned their sophisticated manners, their fake small talk, and I could never get used to their fancy meals.

Even after escaping that poor rural town, I was still just an unwanted, dirty kid. Ethan, I'm sorry. Harper didn't even have time to carry me to her car.

She could only hold me as my breathing grew weaker, and the freezing rain washed away my remaining warmth. When my faint whispers finally stopped, she froze.

She pressed her cheek against my neck. As if realizing something, her voice trembled. "Brandon?" The boy in her arms did not answer. He was no longer breathing.