Brandon moved quickly, his footsteps hurried but not frantic. He was desperate to avoid drawing attention, even as the tears threatened to spill over again. His heart pounded, and his vision blurred, but he forced himself to hold it together until he reached the nearest bathroom. As soon as he was inside, he locked himself in a stall and finally let the tears flow freely.The pain was unbearable, sharp and relentless, as he sobbed like a child who had just lost his favorite toy. But it wasn’t just a toy—this was Ethan, the man he loved, who had just treated him as if he were nothing. The rejection, the sudden coldness, the fury in Ethan’s eyes, it all tore at Brandon’s heart. He felt small, insignificant, like he had been used and discarded.His thoughts spiraled, one dark idea after another. How could Ethan do this to him? How could he flip so easily from passion to rage, from warmth to ice? Brandon’s tears fell harder, his chest heaving with the force of his grief. He didn’t know ho
Brandon almost lost his composure as he stepped into his office, now transformed from its usual drab environment into a vibrant, celebratory space. Lavender bouquets adorned every corner, their sweet fragrance filling the room. A massive, top-tier cake sat on his desk, surrounded by a dazzling array of gift boxes—twenty-four in total, each meticulously wrapped. His eyes were drawn to a cute note nestled in one of the floor bouquets.With trembling hands, he picked up the note and read it aloud: "Happiest birthday to the person I fell in love with. I cherish you, knucklehead. —Ethan."Brandon’s emotions couldn't be contained, his heart caught between the urge to cry and the desire to jump for joy. He couldn’t believe the extravagant display, especially since they hadn’t spoken for the past two days. It felt surreal.Being the grateful person he was, Brandon immediately picked up his phone and texted Ethan, "Thank you so much. I didn't have any expectations though, especially since you
The dinner was exquisite, a culinary experience crafted by a private chef at one of the city’s most exclusive five-star restaurants. The lighting and decor was top notch. The quiet chattering of the distant crowd conversing was the only sound that could be heard—save for the tension hanging oozing off Brandon and Ethan. Britney, always enjoying the moment, tried her best to keep the mood light, cracking jokes and laughing with genuine delight at the extravagant feast before them. But even she could sense something was off.Ethan’s laughter was clipped, almost robotic, while Brandon barely touched his food, his eyes darting nervously around the room. Britney’s infectious joy seemed to only highlight the obvious; her carefree demeanor and the heavy silence that stayed between the two men.As they savored the last bites of their Gold and Silver Leaf Cannoli, Ethan broke the silence, his voice smooth but sharp as a blade. “So, who sent that last delivery?”Brandon’s hand trembled, his for
As soon as Friday evening rolled around after work and school, Brandon's phone lit up with a text from the one person he had been waiting to hear from all week. "Hope you don’t keep me waiting. I'm excited to see you both this weekend," Ethan had written. The message sent a jolt of excitement through Brandon, stirring a flurry of activity. He, Britney, and the rest of their group scrambled to pack up and load the car for their weekend getaway.For some reason, Ethan had gone silent after Brandon's last text, which had gone unanswered. Not wanting to appear desperate, Brandon had let it be, though the silence gnawed at him. But now, seeing Ethan’s text, his heart raced with anticipation, his earlier concerns momentarily forgotten.As they packed the trunk to the brim, Brandon watched in disbelief as Britney directed Lornado to load her fourth travel bag. "Are you planning to permanently move in with the young man, Britney? Why so many bags? It’s just a weekend thing," Brandon quipped,
"Are you two going to ask questions all day, or would you like to get settled and come have dinner?" Ethan’s voice politely cut through the interrogation that he was displeased with. There was so much he thought better to not discuss with them.Britney blinked, momentarily thrown off, but quickly recovered. "Oh, right," she agreed, her usual energy returning. "Brad, come on, let’s go explore our room or rooms."Ethan cleared his throat, drawing both their attention. "Britney, you’ll be staying alone in the Queen's room at the far end of the house. Brandon will stay with me in my room."Britney’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why’s that? Don’t tell me you two are about to indulge in anything unholy," she warned, her tone half-joking but layered with genuine concern.Ethan’s gaze didn’t waver. "It’s just how things are arranged. I had Brandon’s stuff put there already, so he can unpack and settle in."Britney huffed, but after a moment of hesitation, she gave in. "Fine, but I expect deta
Brandon’s eyes were locked on Ethan’s as he gently took hold of his hand, pulling him closer until there was barely any space left between them. Ethan’s hands slid up to cradle Brandon’s face, causing whatever negative feeling he had to melt away.Ethan leaned in, his breath warm against Brandon’s lips as he whispered, “I’ve missed you more than you know.”Before Brandon could respond, Ethan’s lips were on his—soft at first, almost hesitant, as if asking permission. Brandon’s heart raced, and he responded with equal tenderness, savoring the sweetness of the moment. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent as the pent-up longing between them spilled over. Ethan’s hand tangled in Brandon’s hair, pulling him closer, while Brandon’s arms wrapped around Ethan’s waist, holding on as if letting go would mean losing this connection again.Their mouths moved in sync, the kiss growing hungrier, more desperate. Ethan’s lips traced a path from Brandon’s mouth to his jaw, his breath hot and uneven.
Ethan quickly composed himself, leading the way to the patio with a confident stride. The evening air was warm and inviting, tinged with the subtle scent of jasmine that wafted from the nearby garden. The patio was lit by soft candlelight, beautified by the flickering flames dancing in rhythm with the night breeze. Overhead, the stars twinkled like scattered diamonds, their light reflected on the surface of the pool, which lay still and serene.Britney trailed behind them, her earlier irritation fading as she took in the romantic ambiance. "Okay, okay, I’ll admit it," she sighed, settling into her chair. "This place is beautiful."Ethan smirked, pouring a glass of wine for her. "We aim to please."Brandon, still a little flustered from earlier, took his seat beside Ethan, trying to shake off the embarrassment. He watched as Ethan expertly uncorked a bottle of red wine, the liquid pouring smoothly into the glass. Each movement was precise and calculated as if Ethan had done this a thou
Brandon was confused. Should he immediately leave? Go back to bed and wait for an explanation, or confront Ethan head-on? The pain inside him demanded action, but he knew rushing into a confrontation would only make things worse. Instead, he settled for something entirely different. Calmly, he continued down the hallway, descended the stairs, and pushed open the first door he found. Luckily, it led to the kitchen.The kitchen was a masterpiece of design, a chef’s dream come to life. Every detail seemed meticulously planned, from the appliances to the tastefully arranged, expensive silverware that gleamed under the soft lighting. But Brandon barely noticed. He felt like a stranger, snooping around in someone else’s house, though he knew this was better than sitting alone with his overwhelming emotions.He opened the gigantic smart fridge, its interior glowing softly as it revealed a well-organized array of ingredients. But food was the last thing on his mind. Still, he grabbed a bottle
Christmas...The warmth of the fireplace filled the room, the crackling of the flames blending with the soft hum of Christmas carols playing in the background. The Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner, its branches covered in twinkling lights and delicate ornaments that shimmered in the soft glow. Outside, snow fell gently, blanketing the world in a peaceful white. Inside, the laughter of family could be heard through the house, filling every corner with love and joy.Around the large dining table, everyone was gathered. Nana, looking radiant and content, cradled one of her twin boys in her arms while the other rested peacefully in a bassinet nearby. She'd given birth two weeks ago and everyone has been supportive.Her recovery over the past few months had been nothing short of miraculous, and the glow on her face was proof of the happiness she had found. She and Brandon had grown close, their bond deepening as they shared stories and leaned on each other through the ups and dow
A WEEK LATER...The sky was painted in shades of soft blues and blush pinks, with the occasional puff of cloud dotting the horizon. Birds soared high, their wings glinting in the sunlight, as if celebrating alongside the hundreds of guests below. There was something in the air—something gentle and full of love, as though the universe itself was smiling down on this day. The slow ringing of bells hummed throughout the city, the sound weaving its way through the streets and gardens where the wedding was about to take place.The garden itself was like something out of a fairytale. A vast space covered in greenery, with towering trees draped in delicate white flowers. Tiny twinkling lights were strung between the branches, looking magical. The path leading to the altar was lined with blooming roses in every color imaginable, reds and whites swirling together like a painter’s masterpiece. Chandeliers hung from the arches, their crystals catching the sun, reflecting rainbows onto the guests
They made it through every storm, and now, they would live to love and cherish.*****With Aldo's help and Ethan’s connections, it didn’t take long to find Nana. Ethan and Brandon were stepping out of the car, breathing in the damp, cold air of Ireland as they looked at the modest house ahead. Ethan already disliked the neighbourhood. He hadn’t seen his sister in years, and he wasn’t sure how he’d react. He squeezed Brandon’s hand, a nervous energy running through him.Brandon, ever the optimist, linked arms with him and smiled. “We’ll handle this together,” he whispered.The porch creaked beneath their feet as they walked up to the door. Ethan raised his hand, knocking with a hesitation he wasn’t used to feeling. A few moments passed, and finally, the door creaked open.“Na—” The name caught in Ethan’s throat. The woman standing before him, her body hunched as if she'd age five times more. She barely resembled the sister he once knew. But her eyes—those distinct, beautiful blue eyes
Collins stood in front of Brandon, his smile warm, though his eyes held scars and sadness of years lost. His suit, while simple, fit him perfectly, and despite everything he had been through, he looked healthier, more at ease than Brandon had seen in years. There was something peaceful about him now—a quietness that only comes with closure.“He’s just trying to be nice,” Collins said, grinning at Brandon. “But I’ll tell you, your man really went all out to find me. Ethan had me tracked down, got me out of that mess I was in. Then he hired one of the best lawyers in the country. We’re still working on clearing my record entirely, but it’s in motion.”Brandon looked at Ethan, his heart filled with gratitude. He had known Ethan was working behind the scenes to find his father, but he hadn’t realized the lengths Ethan had gone to. It was overwhelming, this outpouring of love, this commitment to not just him but his family.“I... I don’t know what to say,” Brandon whispered, his voice catc
One moth later...A month had passed, and the world outside felt a little less dangerous. The sun hung high in the sky, its warmth spilling over the quiet garden outside Ethan's home. The smell of fresh herbs filling the air, and the birds sang in the trees, oblivious to the trials that had brought Brandon and Ethan to this moment. Inside the house, you could perceive the scent of warm bread and sizzling bacon, the morning routine continuing as usual.Brandon stood in the kitchen, setting out breakfast with careful hands, his mind only half-focused on the task. His heart, though, had never been more full. He glanced toward the living room where Ethan sat, propped up on the couch, still pale but improving with every day. There was color in his cheeks now, though he was often feverish, and his wound—a constant source of worry—had gotten infected twice in the past few weeks. But with a team of specialists and round-the-clock care, Ethan was healing.In the beginning, it had been terrifyi
In the midst of the chaos, a strong hand suddenly grabbed Elizabeth’s arm, yanking her away from the crane’s remote. The container stopped just inches above the crumpled car, leaving Brandon shaken but still alive. His breaths were ragged, his body trembling with fear. He would never forget surviving this near-death experienceEthan’s knees buckled beneath him, the adrenaline fading as the blood loss caught up. He exhaled sharply, fighting to stay conscious, but the world was spinning. Strong arms caught him before he collapsed completely, and through his fading vision, he saw Carter’s worried face hovering above him."We got here just in time," Carter said, his voice calm but his eyes filled with concern. "Hang on, Ethan."Ethan’s voice was faint. "Brandon… is he okay?"Carter nodded, glancing toward the car where medics were pulling Brandon out. "He’s fine. You saved him."Ethan closed his eyes for a moment, the exhaustion too much for him to handle. He had fought with everything he
Noah’s expression darkened. "She found out about my real business—human trafficking, organ harvesting. She was going to expose me. And yes, I killed her with my own hands. She wasn’t afraid of me. She loved you more than she ever loved me." His voice took on a cold edge. "So I made her pay for it."Grief and anger choked Ethan. "She was five months pregnant, Noah. Pregnant with your son. She was everything I ever wanted in a mother, and you took her from me.""I can have as many children as I want, Ethan. But if I were caught, my business, my reputation—everything I built would be gone. I won’t be taken down because of some woman."Brandon, from the crushed remains of his hope, couldn’t stay silent. "It’s always been about you, hasn’t it, Noah? Your ego. Your reputation. You destroyed my family and yours because all you care about is power.""Shut your mouth, bitch," Elizabeth snapped, slapping him hard across the face. "You know nothing about power."Ethan, his voice hoarse from the
Ethan’s fist landed with brutal precision, sinking into Ethan’s stomach. Ethan doubled over in pain, gasping as he felt the burn spread through his abdomen. His hand instinctively flew to the spot, feeling the sting of fresh blood where the wound was."You son of a bitch," Ethan spat between ragged breaths, his eyes burning with defiance.Noah, towering over him with a twisted smirk, gripped Ethan’s jaw, forcing him to look up. "How dare you call me mad, you son of a whore? A mere slave," Noah growled, tightening his hold.Ethan laughed bitterly, the sound more of a wince than amusement. "I see you’ve gone mentally unstable too, father," he mocked. "How am I the son of a slave? Last I checked, you were just a sperm donor. And as for being a slave, well, maybe to your greed, your adultery, and your lies."Noah’s eyes flared, and his grip on Ethan’s jaw tightened, making it difficult for him to speak. "I made you," Noah hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "And I’ll break you.""You’v
Ethan staggered forward, his hand pressed against his stomach, trying to stanch the bleeding. Outside, it began to rain.His breath came in ragged bursts as he pushed through the sheets of rain that poured down on him. Brandon was just ahead, darkness in the storm, sprinting as though he could outrun everything crushing him from behind."Brandon, wait!" Ethan’s voice was hoarse, almost swallowed by the roaring wind and rolling thunder. Each step sent a fresh jolt of pain through his body, but he kept moving, forcing himself onward. He had to catch him.Brandon didn’t stop. He didn’t even slow down. His feet pounded against the pavement, faster and faster, as if the rain pouring over his face was washing away the memories—the lies, the betrayal, all of it. His chest burned, and his heart screamed louder than the storm, but he couldn’t stop now. He wouldn’t.Ethan’s words cut through the rain. "I didn’t kill anyone, Brandon!" His voice broke, desperate.Brandon spun around, his face twis