Ten Years Of Love, Called Me A Brother

For ten years, I lived with Vanessa Sterling. Despite a decade together, she still refused to acknowledge our relationship to the world.

During those years, I took care of her every need. Everyone in our circle assumed we were a solid couple.

At a friend's wedding, I caught the bouquet. Amidst the cheers and teasing of the crowd, I hesitated before finally dropping to one knee in front of her.

She laughed right in my face, looking completely unbothered. "Caleb Reed, I see you as a brother, and you're actually trying to hit on me?"

The crowd went silent. But moments later, her young assistant's social media feed updated with a new romantic post.

The caption read, "The galaxy is burning hot, and you are my earthly ideal. Grateful to have met you; I'm yours for the rest of my life."

I smiled and hit the like button on his post. I left a comment: "You guys look great together. I wish you both the best."

A second later, Vanessa's call came through. Her tone was filled with the usual annoyance and contempt.

"Caleb, what kind of drama are you trying to start now? Don't you know Stellan is sick?"

"Does it make you happy to provoke him and make him feel worse? Do you have any idea that he's crying again because of you?"

"Hurry up. You're going to apologize to him right now, or else..."

Vanessa had said things like this more than once. Loving her was my greatest weakness.

My heart felt heavy and sour, but I kept my voice calm. "Or else what? What are you going to do?"

"Give me the silent treatment and ignore me again? Or stay out all night partying with other people?"

These were Vanessa's favorite tactics. Whenever I displeased her, she would vanish for an entire day, then return to interrogate me like I was the criminal.

Whenever I spiraled into a frenzy because of her actions, she would look at me like I was a lunatic. She always made it seem like I was the one making a scene for no reason.

Hearing my unusually sharp questions, the woman on the other end stunned for a moment. Then, she exploded in a fit of rage.

"Caleb Reed, in what capacity do you think you can talk to me like that? What right do you have to judge me?"

She was right. I had no right. After all, we had lived together for six years, and I had never been given an official title.

I gave a self-deprecating laugh and spoke slowly. "Vanessa, you're right. I have no right. I've already prepared to leave. I wish you happiness."

Vanessa seemed a bit panicked, but she doubled down. "You're trying to threaten me with leaving again? Do you really think I'll buy that?"

I didn't want to argue anymore. I especially didn't want to hear Stellan's fake, muffled sobbing in the background. I hung up.

It didn't matter if she believed me or not. I didn't care anymore.

The moment she told the world we were just friends, my heart had turned to ice. Ten years of my youth were nothing but a pathetic joke.

During those ten years, I was never absent from Vanessa's life. When she couldn't find a place after graduation, I used all my savings to buy this house for us.

She loved flowers, so I filled the balcony with roses. On her birthdays, I handled everything, learning how to bake the most beautiful cakes to celebrate with our friends.

As her career took off and she got busier, she started eating irregularly. I went from never touching a stove to earning a chef's certificate and becoming a nutritionist.

I spent every day cooking and waiting for her to come home. Back then, I thought those were the happiest times, thinking we were building a future.

Everyone thought we were a pair. Even Vanessa's parents assumed I would be their son-in-law.

I thought so too. I figured Vanessa just had a wild heart and that once she wanted to settle down, we would finally be together properly.

But ten years had passed. My friends' children were already five or six years old.

I had waited from my early twenties into my thirties, only for Vanessa to say, "Caleb, I see you as a brother. Are you really trying to get with me?"

"Stop joking around. Get up before people start laughing at us."

The bright spotlights of the wedding hall beat down on me. Kneeling there, I didn't look like a knight; I looked like a clown.

In that instant, my face turned bright red from my neck to my ears. Even the lighting technician froze for a few seconds.

I fled under the mocking gazes of the guests. The person who brought me joy was the same person who dealt me the deepest wound.

I felt a lump in my throat. Swallowing the bitterness, I began to pack my things.

This item looked like something Vanessa had given meDa free gift from some luxury brand. The actual product had likely been given to Stellan.

This other thing looked like a sample from one of her company's partners. Vanessa had brought that home too.

As I carefully sorted through my belongings, I realized how few things she had actually bought for me. Most were just scraps that Stellan didn't want.

I also realized I hadn't bought anything for myself in a long time. I hadn't even looked in a mirror to take care of my appearance.

I looked like a tired house-husband. I was wearing old slippers and a loose, oversized t-shirt, looking completely unkempt.

I laughed at myself and threw all those old things into the trash. Halfway through packing, Vanessa finally came home.

She went to the kitchen first. When she saw it was empty, her brows furrowed deeply.

"Why didn't you make the glazed ribs today?"

Years ago, Vanessa mentioned she liked them, so I made them for her every Friday. Today was Friday, and I had made nothing.

After checking the kitchen, she heard noise from the bedroom and decided to see what I was doing. Seeing the suitcase and the trash, her face darkened.

"I gave those things to you. You're so ungrateful that you're just throwing them away?"

"Or are you throwing a tantrum because they were promotional gifts?"

"I wondered why your attitude was so bad today. You must have seen the watch Stellan was wearing, right?"

"You don't need to be so petty. I only gave him that watch because he wasn't feeling well and I wanted to cheer him up. If it bothers you that much, I'll buy you one later."

She turned to leave, tossing a command over her shoulder. "By the way, make a batch of those ribs now. And remember, no ginger. Stellan hates it."

My memory flashed back. I used to wonder why she was fine eating at home, but once complained when I sent her a packed lunch. It turns out my cooking had been going into Stellan's stomach all along.

I stood there, cold and unmoved. Seeing no reaction, Vanessa's expression turned truly sour.

"What is wrong with you? I said I'd buy you a watch! Who are you acting all high and mighty for?"

She shoved me. My face went pale, and I clutched my stomach. A sharp, stabbing pain made cold sweat pour down my face.

Vanessa finally noticed my distress. "Is your stomach acting up again?"

"Why didn't you say anything?"

She stared at me for a while, making sure I wasn't faking. She sighed and stepped forward to help me sit on the edge of the bed.

"Fine. Don't cook today. I'll make you some noodles and go buy some medicine."

She always did thisDslapping me and then offering a piece of candy. For years, I had stayed submerged in this fake affection, letting her brainwash me into loving her more.

But now I finally understood. She didn't love me. My constant retreating only allowed her to push further.

I lay on the bed, gasping for air, watching her head toward the kitchen. But just then, her phone rang again.

Stellan's whimpering voice echoed through the room. "Vanessa, I'm so sad. I feel so guilty. If it wasn't for me, you and Caleb wouldn't be fighting. I just want to end it all..."

Vanessa stopped right at the doorway. She glanced at me and hurriedly threw on her coat.

"Boil the noodles yourself. You know Stellan has depression. I have to go check on him."

"I'll bring your medicine when I get back."

"Vanessa, Stellan is..." I started, but she cut me off impatiently.

"Caleb, can you stop being so petty? You just have a stomachache, but Stellan is so miserable he wants to die!"

The front door slammed shut. I was abandoned here once again.

The suffocating despair and pain washed over me. My stomach cramped violently, and I curled up on the bed in agony.

Vanessa never knew that Stellan didn't actually have depression; he was faking the whole thing. The one who was actually sick was me.

I had stomach cancer.

I lay in bed all night. By the next morning, I was eating breakfast brought over by a friend. Vanessa's medicine never arrived.

I checked Stellan's social media. Of course, he had posted something new.

"When I need you, you're always the first one by my side."

The photo showed the two of them having a candlelit dinner. Stellan was leaning against Vanessa, smiling brightly.

I couldn't even count how many times this had happened. If Stellan needed her, Vanessa would drop me in a heartbeat, even if I needed her more.

I casually liked the post. Almost immediately, a message from Vanessa popped up.

"Stellan was unwell last night. I took care of him all night. Don't overthink it. I'll be back soon."

Listening to her practiced excuses, I felt nothing. I didn't reply and continued packing my bags.

My friend Zane's wife, Paige, was helping me. "Caleb, are you really not going to tell her?"

"With your health the way it is, you can't be alone. Zane and I can't be with you 24/7."

"It's fine. You guys have done enough already," I replied. "As for Vanessa, she isn't my partner anymore. I've decided to move on."

Paige looked at me, hesitating. "Caleb, to be honest, Zane felt a long time ago that Vanessa wasn't right for you. He was just afraid that saying it would ruin your friendship. Maybe it's better this way. You'll find someone better!"

She sounded so certain that I managed a small smile. These two had been a godsend, taking turns accompanying me to the hospital.

My parents didn't know about my illness yet. Originally, I wanted to lock things down with Vanessa before starting treatment and then propose once I was cured. Now, that wasn't necessary.

"What the hell are you two doing?!"

Vanessa's voice boomed from the doorway. Her face was set in a scowl, looking like a husband catching a cheating wife. She was radiating fury.

"Caleb Reed! You bring a woman into my house the moment I'm gone?"

A woman? Was she talking about Paige? I was about to explain when I saw Stellan standing behind her. His eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Vanessa, don't blame Caleb. It must be my fault for being so sick lately. He must be jealous because you've been looking after me!"

Stellan's words were like gasoline on a fire. Vanessa, who was already yelling, rushed forward and slapped Paige across the face.

"You little tramp! How dare you try to take my man!"

Paige held her cheek in disbelief. She looked at me but didn't strike back.

I hurriedly stood up and pulled Paige behind me. Zane and Paige had helped me so much, and now I had allowed her to be humiliated like this.

Seeing me protect Paige, Vanessa's rage intensified. Her eyes turned red, and she actually looked aggrieved.

"Caleb, how could you do this to me?"

I stared at her, momentarily stunned. She was the queen of double standards. She could play around with any man she wanted, but if a woman appeared near me, it meant I didn't love her.

Because of this, I had only met Zane's wife once in all the years they'd been married. Today, Zane was stuck at work, so he had asked Paige to help me out.

"Oh, so it's okay for you to bring men home? You're bringing this boy toy around, so what right do you have to talk to Caleb?"

"You think everyone is as disgusting as you? You're keeping a man on the side and you have the nerve to point fingers!" Paige couldn't take it anymore and shouted from behind me.

"You can talk about me, but I won't let you talk about Vanessa like that!" Stellan cried.

"There's nothing between us! She just cares about me because I'm sick... I know you all hate me. I won't cling to her anymore. I'll just go die!"

Stellan's face was covered in tears as he turned and ran toward the balcony. Vanessa turned pale and grabbed his hand, whispering comforts. "It's okay, it's okay. I want to take care of you. Don't think like that."

She looked back at me, her eyes full of resentment and disgust. "Caleb, you are so selfish. I told you Stellan is fragile and depressed, yet you hide a woman in here just to provoke us!"

Paige lunged forward, screaming. "Vanessa! You are absolutely blind! You have no idea who is actually sick! Caleb has stomach cancer!"

"He got it from staying up late and drinking for your business deals for years! You're the selfish, heartless one!"

Vanessa frowned and scrutinized me. For a moment, her expression softened. Stellan's eyes darted around before he buried his face in Vanessa's chest, sobbing softly.

"It's all my fault for being in the hospital. I made Caleb sick too!"

The softness in Vanessa's face vanished instantly. It was replaced by a look of anger and loathing, as if she had been cheated.

"Caleb Reed, you're a grown man. Do you really have to resort to faking an illness? You make me sick."

Paige was done talking. She looked at the two of them with a face of pure disgust. Stellan peeked out from Vanessa's arms, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.

"Vanessa, did I make him mad again?"

Vanessa gave me a cold look and cooed, "Ignore him. He can't survive without me. He'll come crawling back eventually!"

I gave a careless laugh, picked up my suitcase, and walked out with Paige.

In the past, I cared about Vanessa. I was willing to sacrifice my life for her career. I didn't want to see her hard-earned money being drained by a parasite like Stellan.

That's why I tried so hard to keep them apart. But the result was obvious.

You can never wake someone who is pretending to be asleep. And you will never truly see someone you don't love.

No matter what I sacrificed, Vanessa wouldn't see it. My love was about giving her freedom. Her love was about shackling me.

Ending these ten years was the only real choice I had.

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