He Brought His Adopted Sister Home

My best friend discovered her husbands old flame a year after their wedding.

The woman ruined her life. Left with nothing, she sank into a year-long depression.

Visiting her, she clutched my hand, crying:

If Id known, I wouldve died before marrying him.

When my father arranged my marriage, I researched Sean Blackwood thoroughly.

Perfect reputation, no past lovers, clean break from exes.

Only odd detail: the Blackwoods adopted a girl ten years ago, studying abroad since.

My father brushed it off:

Shes just his adopted sister. They set up a trust fund for her at eighteenenough to live comfortably abroad.

I married Sean.

But on our third wedding anniversary night, he brought his adopted sister home.

She timidly opened our bedroom door, wearing a thin white nightgown.

Brother, its so quiet here Im scared to be alone

Sean sighed, got out of bed, and told me to go back to sleep.

I sat alone in the dark for hours.

Then I invited over a dozen models to throw a party at our home.

1

The sound of music and laughter was what finally drew Sean out of the guest room.

Get out!

His voice was deceptively calm, but it sent a chill down everyones spine.

The handsome men scrambled away like frightened animals, leaving just the two of us in the vast living room.

What is the meaning of this?

Sean frowned, his gaze fixed on me.

Behind him stood Lily, still wrapped in that scandalously short, white lace nightdress, her long hair framing a picture of delicate innocence.

I lounged comfortably on the sofa, crossing my legs and swirling the wine in my glass. Isnt your little sister scared of being alone? I just found her some company.

Lilys face went pale. What do you take me for!

I smiled, a bright, sharp thing, and enunciated each word with chilling clarity. A shameless little tramp trying to seduce her own brother.

Seans expression turned to ice. Rebecca Pierce.

Lilys eyes welled with tears, her body trembling with rage. What right do you have to talk to me! Everyone knows what a player you were! Youre a slut! If it werent for the marriage contract between our families, my brother would never have married a woman like you!

Lily, thats enough!

She froze, hurt flashing across her face before the tears began to fall. Youre yelling at me? Youre yelling at me for her? Didnt you hear how she insulted me? Fine, Ill leave! Ill leave right now!

The girl made a dramatic dash for the door, her pathetic excuse for a nightgown threatening to fall apart with every overwrought step.

Seans frown deepened. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to her room before finally turning his attention back to me.

Go to bed.

I didnt move, just watched him with a cold smile.

He sighed, a note of exhaustion in his voice. Im tired, Rebecca. Im really, really tired. Can we not do this right now?

Did you hear what your sister called me?

Lilys young. She doesnt always think before she speaks. Ill apologize on her behalf.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Shes not wrong, though. Its true. Our families are well-matched, this was a business merger, the contract was signed a long time ago. But I, Rebecca Pierce, was a player. I was never short on men, especially the handsome ones.

The warmth drained from Seans eyes, leaving them cold and hard.

He pinned me against the sofa, his kiss a punishment, his voice a low growl. Rebecca, need I remind you that you are now my wife?

I laughed, but my eyes were burning and my voice trembled despite my best efforts. But dont you forget! Who was the one who dragged me out of bars night after night? Who was the one who shamelessly declared himself my fianc to every man who looked at me? Who was the one who begged and pleaded for me to marry him?

Sean pulled me into his arms, his voice softening. It was me. It was always me. I couldnt live without you.

I shoved him away and slammed the bedroom door shut. Sean, its her or me. Get her out of this house by tomorrow.

The next morning.

Lily, wearing one of Sean's dress shirts, greeted me cheerfully at the dining table.

Hi, sister-in-law! Good morning!

I froze in place.

2

Sean, who hadn't set foot in the kitchen once in our three years of marriage, was standing at the stove, wearing an apron and stirring a pot of soup.

You have to try this, Rebecca! Seans fish soup is the best. Whenever Im feeling down, one sip of his soup makes everything better!

Yesterday she was calling me a slut; today she was beaming, showing off how indispensable Sean was to her.

And Sean acted as if nothing had happened. Youre awake? Come, sit.

I took a deep breath, fighting down the wave of rage and pain rising in my chest, and pulled out my phone. Get my breakfast ready, I snapped to my new assistant. On my desk by nine. Sharp.

Without another glance, I turned and walked out.

Behind me, I heard Lilys whining complaint. I was trying to be nice to her. What more does she want? Fine, dont eat it. Sean made it for me anyway.

On the way to the office, I called my brother.

I want a divorce.

Are you kidding me?

I clutched my handbag, my knuckles white. Im not kidding.

My brother sounded incredulous. Did Sean agree? He went through hell to marry you

His opinion doesnt matter, I cut him off. I want a divorce.

Alright. Give me a month. Ill get everything ready for you.

I tossed my phone aside. On that humiliating morning, I had made my decision.

I would let Sean have his manipulative little snake.

After the morning meeting, a huge bouquet of my favorite yellow roses arrived from Sean.

I gave them a cursory glance before handing them to my new assistant. Here, theyre yours.

Then I pulled out a credit card and tucked it into his shirt pocket. The breakfast was perfect. A little bonus for you.

The assistant smiled, accepting both gifts without a hint of hesitation. Thank you, boss.

Sean watched him leave, his face a calm mask. Then he cornered me against my desk. You know exactly how to push my buttons. Is this your idea of revenge?

3

I scoffed. If I wanted revenge, I wouldnt have given him a credit card. It would have been the keys to my private villa.

Seans expression was weary. I postponed a full day of meetings to come see you. Are you still angry?

He pulled me into an embrace. Rebecca, what are you so angry about?

I almost laughed out loud.

I had been seething all night, and he had no idea why?

I held out my phone for him to see.

It was a friend request from Lily.

Her profile picture was new, taken just this morning. In it, she was still wearing Seans shirt, surrounded by a sea of yellow roses, her face cupped playfully in her hands.

The breakfast. You made it for her, not for me. Weve been married for three years, and youve never once cooked.

The flowers. You send me one bouquet, and she pesters you until she gets an entire field of them. Am I wrong?

Sean was silent for a moment before he spoke. If this is what its about, I can cook for you tonight. I can send you

Enough! I cut him off, my voice shaking with fury. Sean, dont you get it? Lily is crossing a line! And you, youre letting her! Youre letting her run wild and destroy what we have!

He looked at me as if I were insane. Rebecca, what are you talking about? Shes just my sister.

Im my brothers sister too, I retorted coldly. But I dont prance around his house in a nightgown that short. I dont, as a grown woman, need him to tuck me in at night. And I certainly dont leave a bite mark just below his collarbone.

Sean flinched, his hand instinctively going to his neck.

Did you think I didnt see it last night?

He tried to laugh it off, a strained, frustrated sound. Shes always been like that, ever since she was a kid. Like a puppy, always nipping at people.

I held up a hand. Stop. I dont want to hear about your past. And dont you forget, she is not your real sister.

He paused.

Shes not. But please, dont twist our relationship into something so sordid.

I laughed, a harsh, broken sound, and pushed him away.

Get. Out.

But a slow smile spread across Seans face.

He leaned in close, his eyes dancing. Rebecca, its been a long time since Ive seen you this jealous.

Ill talk to her. Ill tell her to be more mindful of her actions.

Dont be angry anymore, please?

He knew exactly how to soothe me when I was spitting fire.

I was about to say something, to give in, when his phone rang.

The caller ID read: Lily.

4

Sean answered, murmuring a few distracted phrases into the phone.

After hanging up, he took my hand. Ill call my parents and have her move back home.

His warm lips brushed against my ear. Come home early tonight. What do you want to eat? This time, Ill cook just for you.

My mind flashed back to the past.

To him, pulling me out of a bar, his eyes red-rimmed.

To the helpless, pleading look on his face as he asked, Rebecca, what do I have to do to make you look at me, to just see me?

A lump formed in my throat.

Alright, Sean. Ill trust you one more time.

But if you lie to me again.

I will never, ever forgive you.

He smiled, a genuine, relieved smile, and gently kissed my damp eyelids.

Rebecca, I have never lied to you.

That evening, I returned home to find Sean wasnt back yet.

Lily was sitting on the sofa, radiating resentment like a sullen ghost.

Why didnt you accept my friend request?

I gave her a dismissive glance. Why would I?

What did you say to my brother? she demanded, blocking my path. Why is he making me move out?

I had no desire to engage with her.

But she suddenly snapped, grabbing a vase and hurling it at me.

The heavy glass crashed against my forehead, the impact making my ears ring. The thorns from the roses scraped bloody lines down my cheek and arm.

Just then, the front door opened.

Lily immediately snatched a shard of glass and pressed it to her own wrist, her voice rising in a hysterical, tear-choked scream. I was just trying to apologize to you! Why are you doing this to me? Do you want me to die? Is that what it will take to make you happy?!

Seans eyes widened in horror. He rushed toward her, his face a mask of panic. Lily!

Brother she sobbed, shaking her head tragically. I know Ive always been the extra one in this family. I wont get in the way of your happiness anymore, I promise

Blood welled up on her wrist.

Seans face went white. I had never seen him so terrified.

Dont say that! Brother will take you to the hospital.

He swept her into his arms. From beginning to end, he never even looked at me.

I slid down the wall, slumping to the floor.

It felt as though my heart had been carved out with that same shard of glass.

5

Sean returned late that night, looking utterly exhausted.

He stood in the doorway of our bedroom, jacket in hand, frowning as he watched me pack a suitcase.

Youre leaving?

What else would I do?

My barbed tone made his voice harden. Why are you making a scene? No one is blaming you.

Oh, is that it? Is that the greatest mercy you can show me? I dropped the suitcase and faced him, a cold sneer on my lips. Sean, what right do either of you have to blame me?

He struggled to control his temper, trying to reason with me. I already told you I was sending her home. Why did you have to provoke her?

Provoke her? What did I do? I didnt accept her friend request. I may not have any say over who you choose to sleep with, but I damn well have the right to control my own friend list!

His face darkened, his voice laced with a rare anger.

Rebecca Pierce! Must you always be so cruel with your words? I told you, she is my sister!

Yes, shes a bit dependent on me. But thats because when she was a teenager, she found out she was adopted. It made her unstable. She became sensitive, attempted suicide several times, and was diagnosed with severe depression. I was the one who took care of her, who sent her abroad to study and get treatment.

She cant handle being provoked. Im begging you! Can you not show her just a little bit of compassion? A little understanding?

I stared at the man before me, this stranger consumed by rage.

A bleak emptiness settled in my heart.

In three years of marriage, he had never been this angry with me.

Not even during the days when I deliberately tried to make him jealous, not even then had he ever raised his voice to me.

The words caught in my throat. I couldnt speak.

I fought to control the trembling that wracked my body. Youre right. Im cruel. Im vicious. So please, Sean, go. Go and live happily ever after with your innocent, fragile, pitiful little sister!

He took a deep, ragged breath, as if he had reached his breaking point.

His voice was like ice. You dont have to pack. Ill take her and leave. We can talk when youve had a chance to calm down.

I locked myself in the room.

I heard the sounds of him packing, and then, the cold, final click of the front door closing.

I learned that when your heart truly breaks, you cant even cry.

Sean and I were separated.

I didnt know where he went, and I didnt care.

His cousin, however, sent me a few screenshots of Lilys social media posts.

Who has a brother that still tells them they cant go to bars at twenty-four? Teehee, not listening. Attached was a screenshot of her texts with Sean.

Todays special: my personal chef of a brother. Another day of being fed by the best~ The selfie showed Sean in the background, trying to spoon-feed her, his expression one of pure indulgence.

Can confirm, mens dress shirts are incredibly comfortable to wear. A selfie of her curled up on a sofa, intentionally framing Sean working in the background.

The old me would have hunted them down and slapped them both across the face.

But now, I felt nothing but a hollow sense of amusement.

Just as a text from my brother arrived with an update on the divorce proceedings, my assistant placed a cup of coffee on my desk.

I had to admit, Cole was an excellent assistant.

In just two short weeks, he had learned all my preferences, anticipating my needs before I even voiced them.

He perched on the edge of my desk, a brilliant smile playing on his lips. Good news calls for a drink.

I raised an eyebrow and hooked a finger in his tie.

Coles eyes darkened a fraction.

But Im not in the mood for a drink today.

I took him to my private villa instead.