My Secret Boyfriend Called Me His Brother

At the family dinner, the elders were all smiles, gesturing for me and Jasper to sit together.

But as soon as I pulled out my chair, he naturally turned away.

He sat down right next to my stepsister, Willow.

One of the aunts teased us. Weren't you and Sienna always glued to each other? We were thinking of making an engagement official tonight if you two were serious.

Jasper just laughed and poured a glass of tea for Willow. His tone was casual and completely indifferent.

"Don't get it twisted. Sienna and I are just bros."

His gaze swept over me without a hint of affection. Then he looked at the girl beside him, his voice softening.

"I've always had a thing for girls like Willow."

Everyone at the table laughed and agreed, while my fingers went ice cold.

No one knew we had been in a secret relationship for three years. On countless nights after we were intimate, he would whisper promises to me.

He told me we'd go public once his older brother found a girlfriend. He claimed his family would think he was immature otherwise.

I realized then that all his excuses were just because he didn't love me.

I forced a smile and nodded along with his words.

"Yeah, we're just like brothers."

Jasper looked relieved, clearly satisfied with my cooperation.

He didn't know that calling him a brother wasn't an act. It was the moment I finally gave up on this hidden, pathetic relationship.

Jasper's mother looked at me and sighed.

"Sienna is such a good girl. It's my son's loss."

She had always been kind to me because I saved Jasper from drowning in a lake four years ago.

That was the only reason my working-class family ever got close to a powerful dynasty like the Sterlings.

Now, I wished I had never jumped into that water.

Jasper let out a mocking snort.

"Good girl?" He looked at me with pure disdain. "Mom, she's got you fooled."

"She looks quiet, but she's a total party girl behind closed doors. She drinks more than I do and hits the clubs every weekend."

"Willow is the one who's actually sweet and innocent. she doesn't hang out with that trashy crowd."

His words made my blood run cold.

I only drank until my stomach bled that one time because Jasper had pissed off a local gang leader. The guy threatened to break Jasper's legs.

I went to beg for mercy and was forced to down three bottles of hard liquor to settle the debt.

The only reason I ever went to clubs was to work as a promoter to buy him the limited-edition sneakers he wanted for his birthday.

Now, the things I did to save him were being used as weapons to disgrace me.

Willow blinked her innocent eyes and spoke up.

"I'm so jealous of Sienna. She's such a social butterfly with all the guys. I'm so shy I can't even look at a boy without blushing."

My stepmother chimed in. "Exactly. That's why I always tell Willow not to mind when her sister gets aggressive. Sienna's just used to that rough lifestyle."

They were performing a perfect duet, and I could see Mrs. Sterling's opinion of me shifting.

The rest of the Sterling family began to whisper, labeling me a "bad girl."

Jasper knew the truth, yet he didn't say a single word to defend me.

My heart felt like it was being pierced by needles.

I couldn't take it anymore. I pushed back from the table and stood up.

"Sorry, I'm not feeling well. I'll let myself out."

As I turned, I slammed right into a broad, hard chest.

I looked up into a pair of icy, sharp eyes.

It was Gideon Sterling, Jasper's older brother.

He looked down at me from his towering height.

"Leaving as soon as I arrive? Do you hate me that much?"

My heart skipped a beat. I instinctively stepped back.

Jasper had told me many times that Gideon hated me.

He used that as a reason to keep our relationship a secret.

I believed him, so I always stayed as far away from Gideon as possible.

This was the first time I had been this close to him. I looked at Jasper, hoping for help.

But Jasper was busy peeling shrimp and feeding them to Willow.

He looked at her with a tenderness he had never shown me.

A spark of rage ignited in my chest.

I clenched my fists and looked Gideon straight in the eye with a smile.

"Why would I hate you? Actually, I've always liked your type. Mature and responsible."

The moment I said that, the glass in Jasper's hand shattered on the floor right at my feet.

He stood up abruptly, his eyes burning with fury.

"Mom, you guys keep eating. We're going out to finish this conversation."

He grabbed my arm with one hand and Willow's with the other, dragging us out.

Once outside, he shoved me into the back of his sports car.

Before I could even catch my breath, he slammed on the gas.

The force of the acceleration threw me back against the seat.

I have a heart condition, and the sudden shock made my voice tremble. "Jasper, slow down!"

He punched the steering wheel and screamed without looking back. "Oh, you think I'm not mature enough like my brother? Fine. I'll show you what immature looks like!"

He pushed the car even faster. We were flying down the highway like a jagged arrow.

I was tossed around the backseat, my head hitting the door and the frame until I was dizzy with pain.

Eventually, the car screeched to a halt.

As soon as the door opened, I fell onto the pavement and threw up. I was a mess.

Willow walked over to me. "Sienna, are you okay? I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

"I just wanted an internship at the Sterling Group after graduation. Jasper was just helping me make a good impression on his mom. Didn't he tell you?"

She looked at Jasper with teary, manipulative eyes.

"Jasper, why didn't you explain this to her? You're making things so awkward between us."

Jasper immediately pulled her into a hug, comforting her. "Don't cry. I didn't realize she was this petty."

Willow playfully pushed him away and knelt down to help me.

Suddenly, her body tilted, and she fell right on top of me.

Before I could even gasp, she let out a piercing scream. "Ouch! Sienna, why did you trip me? I was just trying to help..."

Jasper didn't even hesitate. He stepped forward and kicked my leg.

"Sienna, are you freaking crazy?!"

I lay on the ground, struggling to breathe. My body was shaking uncontrollably.

I couldn't even speak. I just looked at them, mouthing the words: "My heart... help me..."

Willow clung to Jasper, sobbing softly.

"Jasper, don't let her fool you. She's just faking a medical emergency to make you feel guilty."

Her words only fueled Jasper's rage.

"Sienna, I didn't know you were such a manipulative bitch."

"Fine, stay here and think about what you did. Once you've learned your lesson, book a hotel room nearby and wait for me. Tonight, I'll teach you how to behave."

He scooped Willow up, got back in the car, and sped away.

The pain in my chest intensified. My vision began to blur.

Everything went black as I drifted into unconsciousness.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed.

I turned my head and saw Gideon sitting by the bed, working on his laptop.

He didn't look up, but his voice was calm. "You're awake."

I quickly looked away, feeling flustered.

"How... how long have I been out?"

He closed his laptop and handed me a glass of warm water.

"Sixteen hours. It's the next afternoon."

He paused, then added, "Your family called. They said they're busy and will visit when they have time."

I took the glass, a bitter taste in my mouth.

He was lying.

Ever since my dad married my stepmother and brought Willow into the house, I had been a ghost.

I once fainted from low blood sugar right in front of my dad. He didn't even look twice; he was too busy taking Willow shopping.

No one was coming for me.

I forced a weak smile at Gideon. "Thank you."

He gave a slight nod. "It's what a boyfriend should do."

I froze.

He looked me straight in the eyes, his expression serious.

"You said yesterday that you liked my type. So, let's try dating."

I waved my hands frantically, trying to explain. "I'm sorry, I was just out of it yesterday. The truth is, Jasper and I..."

"Does anyone know about your relationship with him?" He cut me off. "Have you ever been acknowledged by a single person?"

The words died in my throat. It felt like I was choking.

"In my world, a relationship that isn't public doesn't exist."

"I need a wife to stop my family's constant nagging. Think about it."

He picked up his laptop and walked out of the room without another word.

I sat there in a daze.

Before I could process anything, the door was slammed open.

My father and stepmother stormed in, followed by Jasper.

My father didn't say a word before slapping me across the face.

"I can't believe I raised such a monster!"

My stepmother wailed, slapping her thighs in fake agony. "Sienna, if you hate us so much, just say it! Why would you hire thugs to hurt Willow?"

I held my burning cheek, completely lost.

"What are you talking about? I've been unconscious since yesterday afternoon..."

Jasper lunged at me, grabbing me by the throat.

"Still acting? I was just helping Willow out! How could you be so jealous that you'd arrange for her to get assaulted?"

I shook my head violently, gasping for air.

"I didn't... I swear I didn't..."

Jasper shoved me away with such force that I hit the corner of the nightstand.

Warm blood immediately began to trickle down my forehead.

Jasper froze, his hand instinctively reaching out to help me.

Just then, Willow entered the room in a hospital gown. She looked pale as she dropped to her knees in front of me.

"Sienna, please leave me alone. I know you love Jasper. I'll disappear, I'll stay away from him, just please stop!"

My father rushed to pull her up, his heart breaking for her.

He glared at me with pure hatred. "Willow lost her biological father, and this is how you treat her? I wish you were never born!"

"But I don't have a mother anymore either," I whispered, wiping the blood and tears from my face.

"And now, it looks like I don't have a father, either."

My father raised his hand to strike me again.

Jasper grabbed his wrist.

"Mr. Miller, that's enough."

He turned to me, his voice softening slightly.

"Look, just apologize to Willow. Swear you'll never touch her again, and we'll forget this happened."

My stepmother chimed in. "Jasper is single. What's wrong with Willow liking him? It's not like she's stealing your man."

I looked Jasper in the eye, clutching onto the last shred of hope.

"Jasper, I just want one honest answer. Tell them the truth. Are you actually single?"

His hand, which was about to reach for my shoulder, stiffened in mid-air.

A second later, his gaze turned cold and firm.

"Of course I'm single!"

I started laughing, my whole body shaking with the irony.

"Fine, Jasper. Remember those words. We are over."