My Adoptive Brother Forced Me to Serve His First Love

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That night, my brother was burning up after taking the traditional medicine. His scorching breath brushed my ear, making it flush red.

Gripping my waist tightly, he leaned in, his teeth grazing the side of my neck.

Help me... he pleaded, voice hoarse with desperation.

My fingers trembled as I began unbuttoning my blousebut just as I looked up, I met a pair of tear-filled eyes standing outside the door.

It was her. His precious first love.

Three days later, a woman in a wedding dress was fished out of the river.

There was still an unborn child in her wombwhat should have been my brothers first child.

On the night of his wedding, he loosened his tie and sneered at me coldly. "Are you satisfied now?"

After that night, for thirty years, I held the title of Mrs. Anderson on paper only.

We shared a bed, but he always slept with his back turned to menever once touching me, not even his fingertips.

I lived like a widow for thirty years until I died.

As I lay on my deathbed, his fingers brushed across my face, but his voice was colder than ice. "Our debt is paid."

"In the next life, dont ever let me meet you again."

When I took my final breath and closed my eyes... I woke up again.

Back to that night.

This time, I clutched my blouse tightly to my chest.

Before he could lose control, I shoved herhis first loveinto the room instead.

"Darlene... help me..."

Benjamins ragged breathing brushed my ear, thick with desire. His burning hand clutched my waist, pressing me tightly against the door.

Darlene... His voice trembled, his teeth gently biting my earlobe.

In our past lives, this was where I degraded myself.

Benjamin was adopted by my parents.

From childhood, he adored and protected me like no one else.

Seeing him suffering like that... I lost my mind and started unbuttoning my shirt.

And thats when I met Laicas tearful gaze outside the door.

Three days later, she diedwearing her wedding dress, carrying his unborn child.

From then on, Benjamin hated me with every fiber of his being.

This time, I shoved him away. He stumbled back, stunned.

Brother, Ill get you some water.

When I opened the door, Laica was right there.

In my past life, I was such a fool. I thought she was some gentle, innocent white lotus.

But if she were really that innocent, how could she show up at just the right moment?

"Perfect timing," I said coldly.

What do you mean? A flicker of panic flashed through her eyes.

I didnt bother playing nice. I grabbed her arm and shoved her into the room.

"Your beloved first love is here. You two enjoy yourselves."

Bang! I slammed the door shut.

But the very next secondit flew open with a loud crash.

Benjamin hadnt touched her. Instead, he spun around and punched the wall mirror, shattering it instantly.

Shards of glass tore across his arm, blood gushing out.

He had to hurt himselfjust to stay sane.

With eyes red with fury, he stared at me like he wanted to devour me alive.

This wasnt the same Benjamin from a moment ago.

"Darlene, youre vicious!" he roared.

"Shes pregnant with my child!"

"Did you shove her in there just to kill my son?!"

How... how did he know?

In my past life, he didnt know at this point!

Thunder roared in my mind, and an absurd, terrifying thought struck me

Did he... come back too?

Darlene! Benjamin growled, teeth clenched. Why didnt I realize before how cruel you really are?!

He stood towering in front of me, eyes filled with contempt. A month from now, Im marrying Laica.

From now on, you better recognize your place.

What place? I looked up at him.

Youre my sister.

We may not be related by bloodbut you called me Brother.

So for the rest of your life, youll never be anything but my little sister.

Benjamin paused, a flicker of something complex flashing in his eyes.

Dont ever drug me again, he said quietly.

I suddenly laughed.

So thats what he believed all alongthat I was the one who drugged him that night.

No wonder he hated me for thirty years in our past life.

From beginning to end, he saw me as a ruthless woman whod stop at nothing to possess him.

Alright, I said calmly. I wish you both happiness.

A trace of surprise flickered in Benjamins eyes. He clearly hadnt expected me to agree so easily.

But what he didnt know wasMom and Dad had left me a way out.

Brother, if you truly go through with marrying someone else... Youll be left with nothing.

The ones who loved me most were always our parents.

So, I would wait quietlyuntil their wedding.

To atone, Benjamin ordered me to personally take care of Laicas daily needs.

He called it repentance.

Darlene, from today on, youll cook for Laica, wash her clothes, and care for everything she needs.

He stood in the living room, looking down at me like a judge delivering a sentence.

Youll keep doing it until your venomous heart is scrubbed clean.

I didnt resist, and just simply nodded. Alright.

My obedience seemed to catch him off guard. But his surprise quickly gave way to cold indifference.

Laica sat on the sofa, gently caressing her still-flat belly. She gave me a soft smile.

Darlene, Ill be troubling you from now on.

So it begins, I thought.

She claimed to be suffering from morning sicknessand insisted that I stand beside her, holding the basin while she dry-heaved.

The stench was overpowering. Acidic vomit splashed on my hands, burning my skin.

She leaned weakly against the couch, a strange light glimmering in her eyes.

Oh no... sorry for dirtying you, Darlene.

Unfazed, I wiped my hand without expression.

When she claimed her feet were swollen, I massaged them without complaint.

Each session lasted over an hour, until my fingers went numb.

I endured it all.

But she seemed disappointed by my composure.

She didnt just make things difficult when Benjamin wasnt homeshe upped the act when he was around.

One day, I handed her a bowl of herbal medicine for the baby.

However, she suddenly fell.

Noshe pretended to fall.

The scalding tonic splashed across my hands, instantly raising angry blisters.

The pain was excruciating. My grip loosened, and the porcelain bowl crashed to the floor, shattering.

Laica!

Benjamin rushed over like a madman, scooping her into his arms as if she had been shot.

She had only twisted her ankle. But his gaze burned with fury as he turned on me.

You just cant stand her, can you?! She walks a little carefully and you still manage to hurt her?!

I stared at my red, blistered handsraw and stinging.

He didnt even spare me a glance.

Benj... Laica clung to him weakly. Dont blame Darlene. It was my own carelessness.

Stop defending her! Benjamins voice was laced with venom. She did it on purpose!

My hands throbbed in agony, but I remained calm, feeling numb inside.

I had already known this would be the outcome.

She must be cursed, Laica said suddenly, her gaze falling on the ruby pendant around my neck. Ive heard its bad luck to see red when youre pregnant.

Benjamin looked at me coldly and spat, Take that necklace off.

That necklace... he gave it to me on my 16th birthday.

It used to be the most precious thing I owned.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, he stepped forward and grabbed it.

The delicate silver chain dug into my neck, searing my skin.

With a snap, the chain broke.

Without even glancing at it, he tossed the ruby pendant into the crackling fireplace beside us.

The flames devoured the ruby pendant in an instant.

So this was the trutheverything I once treasured meant nothing to him.

To Benjamin, it was no different from garbage.

What a cruel irony.

Were going to the bridal boutique later. Youre coming too, Benjamin said coldly from the staircase, one arm wrapped around Laica.

On the way there, Laica suddenly clutched her belly and whimpered, Im hungry.

I really want noodles from that old shop in the west district. Ive heard its amazing. She clung to Benjamins arm sweetly. But we still have the dress fitting...

He immediately understood her unspoken request and turned to me. You go get it.

Laica smiled. Make sure its hot and fresh out of the pot, okay? Thanks, Darlene.

I frowned, glancing out the car window at the pouring rain.

On seeing my hesitation, Benjamins gaze turned frosty. What, you cant even do something this simple?

I shook my head silently.

Without another word, he shoved me out of the car.

It was almost impossible to hail a cab in the storm. I stood in the downpour for half an hour before I finally got a ride.

By the time I arrived at the noodle shop, I was soaked to the bone.

Im really sorry, the shop assistant said. We just sold out. It'll take about an hour to prepare a new batch.

I waited.

I didnt want another pointless argument over something so trivial.

An hour later, I walked back into the storm, carrying the steaming hot noodles.

The rain had only gotten heavier. Even though I shielded the container with my coat, water still seeped in.

I was freezingmy lips had turned purple, and I couldnt stop shivering.

When I finally stumbled into the bridal boutique, drenched and disheveled, Benjamin and Laica were waiting in the lounge.

He frowned the moment he saw me.

What took you so long?

Its raining. The roads were jammed, I replied, my voice trembling as I handed the container to Laica.

She accidentally bumped my hand. The box slipped from my grasp.

Boiling soup splashed across the wedding gown beside herthe one she had just tried on and declared her favorite.

Ah! Laica screamed. My dress!

The pristine white lace was instantly ruined, stained with greasy broth.

Darlene!

Benjamin exploded. He kicked the container violently, sending the remaining soup flyingall over my legs.

The scalding liquid soaked through my wet clothes, burning my skin. I gasped in pain.

You did it on purpose! he roared, pointing at me, his eyes blazing with fury.

You just cant stand to see us happy!

I didnt

Still trying to lie?!

His words sliced through me like blades.

Kneel!

...What? I asked in disbelief.

Kneel! And dont get up until Laica forgives you!

All around us, the boutique fell silent. The other customers had stopped what they were doing, whispering behind their hands.

Whats going on?

She looks so pitiful...

I stood there, soaking wet, every eye in the store landed on me.

In my past life, I would have been mortified with shame.

But nowI just felt tired.

Utterly, deeply tired.

Slowly, I sank to my knees.

The cold marble floor sent a jolt of numbness through my legs.

Benj... Laica murmured gently, Forget it. Im sure Darlene didnt mean to.

No, Benjamin said icily. She needs to understand what she did wrong.

I knelt in silence, staring at the shattered remains of the container on the ground.

Outside, the rain kept falling.

Just like that rainy night years ago, when I had a high feverand Benjamin sat by my bedside the entire night, refusing to leave.

Back then, Benjamin used to gently press his palm to my forehead when I was sick, tell me bedtime stories to coax me to sleep, and softly pat my back whenever I woke up crying in the middle of the night.

Dont be scared, Darlene. Brother is here.

Brother will always protect you.

That Benjaminhis eyes were once full of warmth and affection for me.

But now, he couldnt even look at me without disgust.

The rain poured harder. I knelt on the cold floor, feeling my body heat slowly draining away.

I didnt know how long I stayed there. My vision spun, and everything blurred.

I spent the next three days unconscious in the hospital.

A high fever of 40C nearly claimed my life.

Benjamin never came. Not even a text. Not a single call.

I closed my eyes.

I knew better than to expect anything. But still, my heart ached a little.

Today was Benjamins wedding day.

I dragged my frail body to the Anderson family estate.

When Benjamin saw me, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. You should be resting at the hospital.

I wouldnt want to miss my brothers big day, I replied flatly.

Laica descended the staircase, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction the moment she saw me. Darlene, you dont look well. Still havent recovered?

Im fine, I said calmly.

Thats good to hear.

She walked up to me, then lowered her voice with a smirk.

Oh, right. Benj said youd be helping with the guests today. Itll be easier if you change into the maids uniform.

She pointed to a black outfit draped on the sofa.

I looked at the ill-fitting servant uniformand suddenly, I smiled.

So, this was it. They didnt even want to leave me a shred of dignity.

Alright.

I picked it up and changed right there in front of them.

Benjamins expression shiftedthere was something complex in his gaze, a trace of guilt... or was it a relief?

But quickly, he looked away.

The banquet hall was packed with guests. I stood quietly in a corner, dressed as a servant, enduring the whispers and stares.

Isnt that the Anderson familys daughter? Why is she dressed like that?

Tsk, how disgraceful!

I heard every word, but my face stayed blank. My heart felt nothing.

The wedding ceremony began.

Now, lets welcome the bride and groom to exchange their rings! the emcee beamed.

I watched Benjamin and Laica on stage, smiling at each other as if the whole world had vanished around them.

And now, I pronounce you husband and wife. Groom, you may kiss the bride!

Just as Benjamin leaned in to kiss herhe grand doors of the banquet hall swung open with a heavy bang.

A middle-aged man in a suit walked in, holding a folder in his hand.

Apologies for the interruption.

He stepped up to the stage, his voice carrying effortlessly across the silent hall.

Im Attorney Harris, legal counsel to the Helix Consortium. On behalf of the late Mr. and Mrs. Anderson , I have an important announcement.

A hush fell over the room.

Benjamins brows knitted. What announcement?

Attorney Harris unfolded the document.

According to an addendum in the late Mr. Anderson s will: If Mr. Benjamin marries anyone other than Miss Darlene, he will automatically forfeit his right to inherit the Helix Consortium.

What?! Benjamins voice cracked with disbelief.

Effective immediately, all shares and assets of the Helix Consortium will be transferred to Miss Darlene.

Attorney Harriss voice was calm, emotionless. Mr. Benjamin, you are no longer the heir of the Anderson family business.