My Boyfriend Is My Brother"

My mom ran away pregnant twenty years ago, living under an assumed name, and gave birth to me.

One day, I started dating a guy. I sent his photo to her.

But my mom, looking panicked, told me to break up with him.

Because his dad was my biological father.

I was stunned: So, my boyfriend was actually my brother?

In the end, Mom and I fled.

My boyfriend and his dad went crazy.

Mom, this is my boyfriend. Isn't he handsome?

I sent my mom a photo. It was a stealth shot of my boyfriend, taken when he wasn't looking.

Stardust and galaxies

My phone rang. My mom.

I answered, a hint of confusion in my voice. Hey, Mom, whats up?

Mom was silent for a long time on the other end.

Whos the man in the picture?

My boyfriend! I boasted. Handsome, right?

Moms voice sharpened. I mean the one on the far side.

Moms tone was off. I sensed it immediately. I scrolled through my photo gallery to find the picture and realized Id accidentally caught my boyfriends dad in the shot.

I was surprised by Moms strong reaction, but I answered honestly. Thats my boyfriends dad. We ran into him and sat down to chat for a bit.

Even now, I still cringe thinking about it. Blaine had come to pick me up from work for dinner, and we ran smack into his father. It was an impromptu meeting with the parents.

Only then did I realize Blaine came from an exceptionally wealthy family. Because that face, his dads face, Id seen it on TV. It belonged to the billionaire, Mr. Sterling Vance.

Mom, you have no idea how nervous I was. Blaine never even mentioned his dad was a billionaire.

Luckily, I hadnt made a fool of myself.

Silence continued on the other end of the line. I checked my phone; the call was still connected.

Mom, why arent you saying anything?

Mom.

I called out several times before my mom finally spoke. What she said next utterly shocked me.

Autumn, you need to break up with Blaine.

I was bewildered. Why? Although theyd never met, Id told Mom about Blaine more than once. Mom had always seemed quite pleased with him. Why the sudden change of heart?

I poured myself a glass of water; my throat felt dry.

After a long pause, Moms voice was melancholic. Because hes your father.

Your biological father, that is.

The water Id just sipped erupted from my mouth. I quickly set down the glass, luckily not choking.

Mom, youve got to be kidding me. You always said my dads grave had grass twenty feet high! I was aghast.

No joke. Mom sounded utterly resigned. Autumn, you have to break up with him. No one in the Vance family is any good. My moms voice was indignant.

Let me process this.

Let me just process this.

I stared blankly at the succulents on the table. I never thought a cheesy novel plot would become my reality. My long-dead dad, resurrected. My handsome boyfriend, my actual brother?

It wasnt April Fools Day, was it?

I wouldnt give up. Are you absolutely sure youre not mistaken?

No!

So, you gave birth to Blaine?

No.

What?! My voice shot up. Mom, were you scammed?

Mom also seemed confused. I dont know. When I left him, he only had me.

Given that Blaine was three years older than me, and Mom, though usually a bit spacey, was undeniably beautiful

I was incredulous. Mom, you didnt get caught up in an affair, did you? Like those stories online where married men pretend to be single to date naive young women, only for the wife to show up later, revealing the deception?

Moms mind was still reeling. Maybe. I remember hearing he was getting engaged, so I ran. Then I found out I was pregnant with you.

Autumn, do you want to acknowledge him? Mom asked, sounding torn.

No way. That jerk doesnt deserve to be my father, I retorted, disgusted.

Hes a billionaire, very rich, Mom said seriously.

Still no. I love you the most, I declared. To reassure her, I added, Besides, I can earn enough to support you now.

Mom mumbled a few times, but ultimately said nothing more.

2.

Having stumbled upon such a shocking secret, I suffered from insomnia for days. Blaine called me to go on dates, but I kept turning him down. I just didn't know how to face him.

A few days later, a sharp, impeccably dressed executive blocked my path. He introduced himself as Mr. Vances secretary.

I sat in a coffee shop, stirring my drink. The secretary slid a card across the table to me. Theres thirty million dollars on this card. Mr. Vance hopes youll never appear in Sterling City again.

I clenched my jaw. My goodwill toward the biological father Id only met once plummeted to negative numbers. Even though I was planning to break up with Blaine anyway, I still felt a surge of indignation.

I picked up the bank card with a sweet smile. The secretary opposite me briefly flashed a look of disdain, but quickly masked it. Is this a voluntary gift?

I wouldnt want any unnecessary disputes later on. The bank card spun once between my fingers.

The secretarys expression grew impatient, but he patiently explained. Miss Hayes, rest assured, no one will pursue this. After all, the Vance family has vast assets; this small sum is nothing to them. His tone was arrogant.

I leaned back lazily in my chair. The Vances are truly the wealthiest family in the country, quite generous. But Ill still need Secretary Thorne to ask Mr. Vance to sign a voluntary gift receipt.

After all, Im just a common person, seeking peace of mind.

Secretary Thorne had no choice but to ask me to wait while he stepped aside to make a call.

Blaine texted me: Baby, what are you doing? (Little bunny, sneaky.jpg)

I didnt reply.

Soon, Secretary Thorne returned. Mr. Vance agreed. Miss Hayes, please wait a moment longer.

Quickly, someone delivered the voluntary gift receipt, complete with Mr. Sterling Vances personal seal. I flicked the receipt, then stood up to leave. Secretary Thorne, goodbye.

Secretary Thorne replied, We hope, Miss Hayes, that you will uphold our agreement.

With thirty million dollars in hand, the smile on my face became a bit more genuine. Of course.

Dont worry, Ill break up with your eldest son the moment I get home.