When my real family found the true daughter they’d been missing, I staged a hunger strike at home. "Now that the real daughter is back, you guys definitely won't love me anymore. I'm going on a hunger strike. I'm going to enter my villain era." My big brother, just like when we were kids, smacked me right on the butt. I froze. He turned bright red. After the real daughter moved in, my big brother snuck into my room one night. "Do you have any idea how long I've wanted you? Little sister." 1 I always thought if our family ever had some dramatic "switched at birth" scandal, it would surely involve my big brother, Sebastian. Because honestly, the rest of us—Mom, Dad, and me—are total sweethearts with heads full of clouds. Sebastian, on the other hand, is this cool, brilliant, unattainable figure who often seems like he doesn't belong with us goofballs. When Sebastian came home from work, I was busy packing my bags. He leaned against the doorframe, his long legs crossed. His gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose, hiding most of his emotions. But I could still feel his exasperation. He rubbed his temples wearily. "Princess, what are you fussing about now?" I shot him a sideways glance but didn't stop packing. "Your biological sister is coming back. You guys are going to stop loving me any second now. I'm running away from home. I'm entering my villain era." Sebastian scoffed. "Villain era? How exactly?" I stood up, annoyed. "None of your business. Anyway, the next time we meet, I won't be the same Harper you knew." Saying that, I grabbed a bag bigger than me and swung it onto my shoulder. Momentum took over, and I spun in a circle before face-planting on the floor. Sebastian sighed softly. I looked up at him, pouting, tears ready on command. "I fell and you didn't even help me up. You just laughed. You don't love me anymore. Waahhh~" Sebastian resigned himself to his fate and grabbed my arm to help me up. But I refused to budge. Right now, I was harder to wrangle than a greased pig. Sebastian had to crouch down to meet my eyes. He spoke in that gentle tone he uses to coax children. "Be good. Even without a blood relation, our bond over all these years is the same. Eat first, okay?" Sebastian held up a bowl of soup. It was my favorite—corn and pork rib soup. He had even thoughtfully picked out all the scallions. I don't eat scallions, but I think the soup lacks flavor without them cooked in. So Sebastian always painstakingly picks every single green bit out for me. But I was still mad. I didn't know what exactly I was mad about, but I was fuming. "I'm not eating. I'm on a hunger strike. You're not my brother, you have no right to boss me around." In my struggle, I accidentally knocked the bowl over. Sebastian instinctively moved the bowl away from me. So the entire bowl of hot soup splashed onto him. I watched the pale skin on his arm turn angry red instantly. But Sebastian, as if he couldn't feel pain, grabbed my wrist with red-rimmed eyes. "What did you say? I'm not what?" Growing up, I was most afraid of Sebastian. I was the late-in-life baby, the only girl in this generation of the Sterling family. Even my strict grandfather would crack a smile when he saw me. So I was spoiled rotten by the family, practically lawless. Only Sebastian, my big brother, strictly managed me. Studies, friends, manners. I was willful and bratty, but thanks to Sebastian, I didn't grow up crooked and even achieved a little success. I feared him, but I relied on him even more. So when I found out I wasn't the Sterlings' biological daughter, the first person I thought of was Sebastian. Big Brother isn't my big brother anymore. What do I do? 2 Fear and uncertainty made me want to retreat. I couldn't bear to imagine Sebastian patting another girl's head with eyes full of adoration, couldn't bear him telling me I wasn't his favorite sister anymore. When I was little, I cried for three days straight when I learned Sebastian would eventually marry another girl. Now, even the sibling bond was gone? I was scared. My first instinct was to run. If I ran, I wouldn't have to face it. Like an ostrich burying its head in the sand. But I didn't mean to hurt him. I pouted, tears falling like broken pearls. Seeing me like this, Sebastian sighed in resignation. He used his uninjured arm to gently pull me into his embrace. "Don't worry. Whether you are a Sterling by blood or not, Big Brother loves you." He paused before the last two words, saying them softly, but I heard them. Hearing Sebastian's familiar gentle voice, my anxious heart settled a little. I leaned into his chest and bawled, soaking his custom-made shirt until the pink of his skin showed through. Tired from crying, I looked up slightly and rubbed the top of my fluffy head against Sebastian's chin. Like a little kitten. I've always acted cute like this with him since I was small. "What's wrong?" Sebastian scratched my chin. "Big Brother, I'm sorry." Sebastian gently patted my hair. "It's okay, it doesn't hurt." "How could it not hurt? It's all red." Sebastian hesitated before speaking. "Blow on it for me, Harper, and it won't hurt." I looked at this usually staid and serious brother in confusion. Was he acting cute? But I gently blew on his arm anyway. Looking up, I saw Sebastian's pale face was flushed red. "Big Brother, do you have a fever?" Sebastian turned his head and coughed. "No. It doesn't hurt anymore." "Why didn't you dodge earlier?" "If I dodged, it would have scalded you." Sebastian pressed my head deeper into his chest, sighed lightly, and rested his chin on top of my head. "As long as I'm here, I won't let you get hurt." Hearing this, my eyes reddened again. I wrapped my arms around his waist and sobbed quietly into his chest. I felt Sebastian's body stiffen instantly under my hands, muscles going taut. "Big Brother?" I looked up, staring at him with teary eyes. Sebastian put me down from his embrace and awkwardly scratched the bridge of his nose. "Stop acting cute. Eat your dinner." I sat at the small table. Just as I picked up my spoon, my second brother, Julian, ran over excitedly. "Sebastian! Sebastian! The new sister is back! She's gorgeous!" My hand shook, and the spoon fell back into the bowl. "I knew you guys didn't want me anymore. I'm entering my villain era. I'm running away." Sebastian shot a glare at Julian at the door, a look that promised murder. 3 I dragged my giant bag, taking slow, deliberate steps toward the door. I knew it wasn't very imposing, but I had no choice—it was too heavy. Just as I reached the living room, I saw the three of them walking in, all smiles. The moment I saw Vivian, I froze. Julian, the idiot, said dopeyly, "Sebastian, look, this is the new sister." Sebastian shot another glare, and Julian shut his mouth resentfully. "Harper." Sebastian spoke with concern. I raised a hand to stop him, kicked the giant bag over to Julian's feet, and walked towards Vivian in a daze. I reached out and touched her face. Warm. It's a living Vivian. "Are you really Vivian Vaughn?" Vivian paused, then smiled and nodded. "The Vivian Vaughn who joined the band Neon Riot as lead singer before even graduating." Girls, do you understand? I am meeting my idol. The real daughter is my idol. Ahhh~~~ A fangirl screech echoed in my head. "I'm your fan! Can I have an autograph?" Vivian graciously agreed. "We have a show next month. I'll send you some VIP pit tickets. You can bring your friends." Ahhh~~~ VIP tickets I couldn't even buy with money! I held her face and kissed her on both cheeks. "Sis, you are my biological sister!" "I also love that cute drummer boy in your band. He looks so sweet but plays the drums so wild and cool." "Sure, I'll introduce you guys sometime. Let's grab dinner." Sebastian suddenly stepped in, pulling me aside. "Harper, your sister is tired." "Right, right, right." I affectionately pulled Vivian towards the stairs. "Sister, let me take you to your room. It's right next to mine. Our rooms get the best light." As we passed Julian, he suddenly spoke up. "So, are you still running away from home?" "Shut up." I turned back to Vivian with a smile. "Don't listen to his nonsense. Never happened." I pressed my face against her arm. "Sister is so cool. Cuddles for Sister." 4 That night, I went for a walk in the back garden to clear my head. Vivian was nice, and she was the idol I'd always loved. The Sterling family treated me the same as always, maybe even with a bit more caution. But my heart felt heavy. Suddenly, I saw Sebastian and Vivian talking in the gallery. That gallery was built specifically for me by Sebastian. It was filled with my paintings. He had said it was a secret base belonging only to him and me. Now, he and his new sister were standing in it. I watched him smile and pat Vivian on the head. It felt like a jar of boiling water shattered in my heart—a burning pain. Before, Big Brother only patted my head. The moment Sebastian looked at me, my only thought was to run. Run somewhere they couldn't find me. Ignoring him calling my name from behind, I ran to the garage, grabbed a random car, and bolted. I found a nearby bar, wanting to numb my emotions with alcohol. My heart really hurt. Big Brother wasn't just my big brother anymore. His doting love for me was finally given to someone else. So how was I supposed to face him in the future? Drink after drink poured into my stomach. But the more I drank, the more wrong things felt. My head was dizzy, my body was getting hotter and hotter, and panic was setting in. I tried to stand up and leave, but a man reeking of stale smoke grabbed me. "Little sister, all alone? Want big brother to show you a good time?" I struggled desperately, but I had no strength at all. Just as I was on the brink of despair, I smelled a familiar scent of pine and cypress. I heard two grunts of pain, and then everything around me went quiet. Vaguely, I heard a helpless sigh. Hot. So hot. In the back seat of the Cullinan, I desperately searched for anything that could cool me down. Next to me was a soft body that felt cool to the touch. I clung to it like a koala, pushing aside annoying clothes, using my face and lips to absorb every bit of coolness. "So cool, so nice." My voice was thin and alluring. "Harper, look clearly at who I am." I lifted my hazy eyes, rims red, tears brimming. "Big Brother, it feels awful. Help me." Suddenly, my lips were captured, sucked on. Like a dying person in the desert, I frantically drank the life-saving water. "Help me, please, it hurts so much." "Okay, Big Brother will help you." My lower body suddenly felt cool. It felt like all the blood in my body was boiling... I bit my lower lip tight, but broken moans still escaped my throat. My mouth was suddenly blocked by a pair of soft lips. The moans were drowned out between teeth and lips. "Don't make a sound, Harper." The movements got faster and faster, too fast for me to handle. "Harper, I'm saving you. Don't hate me." Finally, my whole body tensed, spasmed, and then slowly went limp. The burning heat inside me slowly dissipated. I felt exhausted, and my consciousness drifted away uncontrollably.
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