He Denied My Brother's Last Journey

to loan me fifty thousand dollars

his assistant wearing my s

decided to marry my ch

was Callen House' s

his "Relationship Protocols" wer

tragically overseas, Ca

application, which his assist

ning in grief, J

thout hesitation, proving what

hings, only to find Daniella there, sp

me out like

she had been intercepting my bonuse

n? He def

y and threatened to rui

dn't ju

the company group chat with a capt

ied. And it' s not

pte

sulate was a blur of medical terms and repatriation costs, a sum so astronomical it felt like another cruel joke from fate. Fift

aniella Fischer, his executive assistant, my voice raw wit

ttle edge. "Ms. Bryan, you know Mr. House's 'Relationship Prot

e word tasting like ash. "My brother

ely unfazed, "but the procedure is clear. You can submit an emp

, three days later. A sterile email, no explanation. Just a cold, hard 'no.' It was like being

ng world. He fronted the money himself, a sum I knew was significant even for his growing logistics company. He handled everything-the pap

ng leaves on the cemetery grounds. The scent of damp earth and wilting fl

s eyes, usually so bright, were filled with a raw tenderness that made

t, a stark contrast to the hollow ec

fore they tumbled free. It wasn't a question. It was a desper

their depths. He looked down at me, his gaze sweeping over my tear-streaked face, my

k with concern, "you don't have to do

out the pain. This is about... everything. About what matters. Please, marry me." My voice cr

ked tirelessly as an undervalued marketing specialist in his company, he barely acknowledged my existence outside the four walls of his penthouse. My broth

maximum efficiency. He wouldn't waste a second on an employee's dying brother, let alone a mere girlfriend's personal crisis. Our eight years together felt like

My heart felt like a hollow drum, beating a slow, mournful rhythm. I had offered him my l

h the screen. I typed quickly, fiercely, each

t's over.

hed the screen, waiting.

Daniella's name flas

ge at his earliest convenience. Please be advised that all communication regarding pe

scheduled our "dates," picked out my "gifts," and even sent me pre-written anniversary texts on Callen's behalf. I had tried to fight it once, years ago, begging Callen for just one spontaneous moment, one unscripted conversation

Callen's success, which I foolishly believed was our shared future. But she was more than efficient; she was a predator, meticulously

lieving it was the price of love. I'd been loyal, dedicated, and financially independent, but my suppressed wages, a myster

nd delegated convenience that he couldn't even spare a thought for my dead brother. He

r. He deserves her." The words were for myself, for the ghost

gedy was about to unfold. I clutched Jaren's hand, his warmth a stark contrast to the cold em

dience. My chest tightened, a crushing weight pressing down on my lungs. Daniella's message, cold and im

ith hot, angry tears. It wasn't just grief for Liam anymore. It was rage, humiliation, and a sickening sense of betrayal. The realization

ees b