Marrying Your Brother, Goodbye Silas

1.

The day we were supposed to sign our marriage license, my boyfriend stood me up.

I waited in front of the courthouse for an entire day, only to receive a photo from his secretary.

In the picture, the little secretary was straddling my boyfriend's lap, her arms hooked around his neck, as they shared a deep, passionate kiss.

"I am so sorry, Seraphina. Silas insisted on coming over to comfort my broken heart. You won't mind, right?"

I confronted Silas, but he only looked at me with pure impatience.

"She donated blood for me once. What is wrong with me staying with her for one night? Can't you just be a bit more open-minded?"

My heart went cold. I turned around and dialed Silas's older brother's number.

"Xavier, are you still willing to marry me?"

...

On the other end of the line, Xavier Sterling remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely," I said, my voice steady.

"I just don't know if you still want me."

"I am currently in London. Give meDno, give me two weeks. I'll be back, and we will get married immediately."

"Fine. I'll wait for you."

I hung up and looked at the photo on my phone one last time before darkening the screen.

Five years of devotion ultimately couldn't compete with the thrill of something new.

...

Silas didn't get home until the early hours of the morning.

I didn't greet him. I just quietly packed my bags.

Even if I only had two weeks left here, I didn't want to waste another second on him.

"Go get me a glass of water, and then lay out my pajamas."

Silas's voice was full of arrogance, and he didn't even bother to look at me.

He always treated me like a servant.

And getting his pajamas ready was his way of rewarding me.

In his mind, it meant he was willing to sleep in the same bed as me tonight.

In the past, I might have looked forward to it.

But now, there wasn't a single spark left in my heart as I continued packing my clothes and personal items.

A moment later, Silas stepped out of the bathroom. Seeing me unmoved, he furrowed his brow, his voice dripping with annoyance.

"Why haven't you moved yet?"

"Didn't you hear me?"

"I'm going back to my family's place for a while."

I calmly zipped up my suitcase.

I didn't mention a word about marrying his brother.

Seeing the suitcase, Silas seemed to realize something. His frown deepened, and he let out a long, heavy sigh.

"Can you stop making a scene?"

His tone was flat, as if he were talking about a minor inconvenience.

"Jade saved my life by giving me that blood. In a way, she's my savior. She only has one birthday a yearDwhat's the big deal if I spend it with her? So what if we didn't sign the papers yesterday? Isn't it a bit much to get this jealous over a small thing?"

A small thing?

I couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.

So, in his eyes, our marriage was just a small thing.

It wasn't even as important as some outsider's birthday.

It seems I've loved him so humbly for so many years that he thinks he can walk all over me without consequences.

Maybe he truly believed that my entire world revolved around him.

But now, I'm exhausted.

I don't need a love that requires me to crawl in the dirt.

Seeing my silence, he walked over and wrapped his arms around my waist, his voice softening.

"Alright, don't run away over such a trifle. We can get the license whenever. It's just a piece of paper, why are you so obsessed with it?"

My brain felt like it was going to explode.

Was he really trying to act like he was doing me a favor?

"A piece of paper?!" I couldn't suppress my anger any longer.

"To you, our marriage license is less important than Jade's birthday, isn't it?"

"Well, yeah!"

Silas glared at me, answering without a hint of hesitation.

The words I wanted to scream got stuck in my throat.

I looked at him, completely incredulous.

How could he say that with such a righteous face?

But looking at his indifferent expression, I suddenly felt a sense of relief.

It was as if a massive weight had finally dropped from my chest.

"If that's the case, then that piece of paper isn't worth signing at all."

I turned and walked into the guest bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

The loud bang echoed through the hallway, matching the sound of my heart shattering into pieces.

"Seraphina, don't talk crazy. When did I say I wouldn't marry you?"

Silas grumbled impatiently from outside the door.

"We've been together for years. Don't you have any trust in me at all?"

"Can't you just see things from my perspective for once?"

When I didn't answer, he kicked the door in frustration and stormed off.

I wasn't surprised.

In the past, I was always the one to back down first. Even when he was wrong, I was the one who gave him a way out.

The fact that he even stayed to argue was a miracle in itself.

He would never beg for forgiveness the way I once did.

2.

Lying in bed, I couldn't stop the memories of the past five years from flooding back.

When Silas and I first started dating, he was actually wonderful.

He used to swear that as long as he was with me, even the air tasted sweet.

If I said a single word, he would drop everything at work to be by my side.

He used to be so protective.

He'd get jealous of any male friend I had.

He even vetted my female friends to make sure they were good influences.

He took care of every little detail of my life.

Back then, people called his love overbearing, but I cherished it.

But now, he isn't that man anymore.

And I am no longer the woman whose entire world centers on him.

Just then, my phone vibrated on the pillow.

I tapped the screen.

It was a message from Jade Holloway, Silas's secretary.

"Silas, today was the best birthday of my life. Thank you for being there. I'm so happy."

"By the way, I posted a surprise for you on my private story. Go check it out."

I stared at the screen, dazed. Before I could process it, the message was unsent.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Seraphina! I sent that to the wrong person. Please don't be mad at me."

I let out a mocking snort and tossed the phone aside.

Sent it to the wrong person? Or sent it exactly where she wanted?

When I first met Jade, she was just a fresh college grad.

She was clueless and getting bullied by her coworkers.

Once, she made a massive mistake that almost got her fired.

She came to me crying, telling me about her toxic family and how much she needed this job.

I gave her a second chance. I personally mentored her and taught her the ropes.

That was how she caught Silas's eye in the first place.

Later, when Silas asked to make her his personal secretary, I didn't think twice. I was actually happy for her.

Who would have thought that such a sweet-looking girl would be so calculating?

The woman I raised up was the one who stabbed me in the back.

The next morning, I booked a flight home. Then, I went straight to the office and handed in my resignation.

Looking at the letter on his desk, Silas looked stunned.

"Are you serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

I asked him back with a smile.

Silas went silent.

After a long while, he spoke. "Stay. The company needs you."

"The company doesn't belong to just one person."

I didn't wait for his approval. I turned to walk out.

But the moment I reached the door, Silas rushed over and grabbed my arm.

"Two days!"

I looked back at him.

There was a rare flicker of panic on his face.

"In two days, once I finish this project, I'll take you to the courthouse. Just trust me one more time, okay?"

I looked at him calmly.

I didn't give him an answer.

"Just give me one more chance, Seraphina?"

He looked genuinely nervous, as if my answer actually mattered to him.

A thought crossed my mind. If I told him right now that I was getting marriedDto the older brother who had always outshone himDhow would he react?

I didn't say a word. I just walked away.

Back at the apartment, I looked at the study filled with photos of our life together.

I didn't feel sentimental. I just felt annoyed.

I started pulling them down, throwing them into a metal bin to burn them.

Halfway through, Silas burst through the door. He was supposed to be at work.

3.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Seeing me destroying the photos, Silas roared and rushed over. His face was a mask of panic and heartbreak.

He even tried to reach into the flames to save the charred remains.

But the fire was already too high.

He couldn't even get close.

"Why? Why would you do this!"

Silas glared at me, his eyes turning bloodshot. His voice was trembling.

He looked devastated, and it didn't look like an act.

But for some reason, I found it hilarious.

He cherished these photos so much.

Yet, he didn't give a damn about the feelings of the living woman standing right in front of him.

It really was a joke.

I reached over, took the last photo from his hand, and tossed it into the bin.

"What's the point of keeping photos when the love is already dead?"

Silas froze. "Are... are you still mad about the other day?"

Before I could answer, he started screaming again.

"What more do you want from me?!"

"I explained everything! I promised we'd go get the license in two days! What else do you want?!"

The angrier he got, the calmer I became.

I gave him a casual smile. "If that's the case, then there's even less reason to keep these old photos, right?"

"After we get married, we can go on a honeymoon and take plenty of new pictures."

My sudden change in attitude seemed to catch him off guard.

Silas blinked, processing my words.

"A honeymoon..."

He nodded quickly as if he'd just remembered something.

"That sounds good. Jade mentioned she wanted to go on a trip, too. We can all go together."

Those words were like a fresh blade cutting into my already scarred heart.

It seemed that no matter what I said, he immediately thought of Jade.

Even for a honeymoonDa trip meant for a husband and wifeDhe wanted to bring that woman along.

That was Silas Sterling in a nutshell.

I cursed myself for being so stupid.

I knew exactly who he was, yet I had allowed myself a tiny flicker of hope.

Utterly pathetic.

Late that night, Xavier called me.

"I'm at an auction right now. I'm planning to buy our wedding rings. I can't wait to slide one onto my favorite girl's finger."

His voice was less formal than usual, almost playful.

I agreed without thinking.

There was a pause on the other end. Xavier sounded a bit slighted. "Nothing else to say to me?"

I thought about it seriously and sighed. "Let's just wait until you get back."

"Fair enough."

After a beat, Xavier continued. "You know what marriage entails, right? You're sure?"

I knew what he was worried about.

He knew I had loved Silas with every fiber of my being.

He wasn't fully convinced I was over him.

"I understand," I said firmly. "I chose you. I won't look back."

"Good. I'm looking forward to seeing you."

Xavier's mood instantly brightened, and he hung up happily.

After washing up, I noticed an email in my inbox.

It was an invitation to an exclusive International Music Gala.

The physical invitation would be delivered tomorrow.

For the first time in a long time, I felt a surge of genuine excitement.

I had always dreamed of a career in music, but I gave it up to help Silas build his company.

Now that I had this chance, I wasn't going to let it go.

4.

I was so excited I barely slept.

But the next morning, when the doorbell rang, I opened it to find Jade Holloway's smug face.

"Congratulations, Seraphina. I can't believe you actually got scouted by such a prestigious music organization. I wish I had your luck."

Luck?

I didn't want to waste my breath on her. I reached out.

"Give me the invitation."

To my surprise, she shook her head with a giggle.

"Why do you get all the luck, Seraphina?"

"I graduated from a top music school too. How am I any worse than you?"

"Here's a deal. If you give me your spot at the gala, I'll say some nice things about you to Silas!"

I nearly laughed in her face.

But a wave of deep sadness washed over me instead.

How pathetic. My fianc's favor had to be bought through another woman's "kind words."

"Do you even hear the garbage coming out of your mouth?"

I stared at her coldly.

"You aren't qualified for a gala like this. Don't you feel embarrassed even suggesting that?"

I grabbed the edge of the invitation, but she refused to let go. Her face twisted into a mask of grievance and resentment.

"Seraphina! We're colleagues, for God's sake. There's no need to insult me like that!"

"It's just an invitation. Why are you being so stingy?"

"If you're actually talented, you don't need an invitation to succeed, right?"

Her logic was so shameless it was almost impressive.

I lost my patience and stepped forward.

"I'm done talking to you!"

"Give it to me!"

Just then, I saw Silas's car pulling into the driveway.

In that exact split second, Jade let out a sharp scream and stumbled backward, collapsing onto the ground.

"Jade!"

Silas roared, sprinting over to her. He helped her up with a look of pure agony on his face.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, Silas," Jade whimpered, looking like a kicked puppy.

"I just wanted to bring the invitation to Seraphina. I asked if she could let me have the chance since she's so busy with the wedding, and she just got so angry... I understand why she'd be upset..."

Her vague, manipulative words painted me as the villain instantly.

From Silas's perspective, it looked exactly like I had shoved her in a fit of rage.

I had to hand it to her; her acting was top-tier.

I pointed at the torn invitation on the ground, my voice icy.

"That belongs to me."

"She had the nerve to try and steal it, and then she tore it. And now she's the victim?"

I thought I was being clear enough.

But Silas's face was dark with fury.

"Over a piece of paper?"

"Seraphina, I am so disappointed in you!"

"You bullied Jade over a stupid invitation? Don't you know she's still recovering from the blood donation?"

"Apologize. Now!"

I watched him quietly, not feeling a shred of surprise.

"Why should I?"

"Because you're in the wrong! Apologizing is what a decent person does!"

That was his final word.

I let out a soft laugh, shook my head, and went back inside.

Silas tried to follow, but Jade grabbed his arm.

"It's okay, Silas. Even if Seraphina was mean, I don't blame her."

Her "maturity" seemed to calm him down. He huffed at my retreating back one last time before helping Jade walk away.

I watched them through the peephole for a long time.

If there was even a tiny part of me that still hoped for him, it was gone now.

I knew with 100% certainty that leaving him was the best decision of my life.

A few hours later, Silas sent a text.

"Look, Seraphina, don't take it too hard. I'm not really blaming you. But Jade saved my life. Can't you just be the bigger person and cut her some slack?"

I laughed out loud.

What a pathetic excuse for an explanation.

After the laughter died down, I felt a bone-deep exhaustion.

I wasn't bitter. I wasn't even angry anymore.

I was just tired.

I had truly let him go.