When Cyrus and I first met, he called me "sister-in-law."
"It has nothing to do with your brother."
"I just don't love you at all."
Cyrus’ fists tightened, his eyes reddening as he struggled to control his anger. He tossed the wedding dress to the ground and stormed out, not sparing me a single glance.
The confused clerk, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but feel sorry for Cyrus, the strange man who had been abandoned.
They must think I am a heartless woman, deceiving the feelings of two men who happened to be brothers. But only I know the truth — even if I had agreed to try on the wedding dress, he would have left anyway.
Before heading to the bridal shop, I had received a message from Nina, with a screenshot of a chat between her and Cyrus.
"Amara, he promised to take me to the beach. Seems like you won't be trying on the wedding dress after all."
It was all arranged, and he was pretending otherwise. Cyrus, your acting is really terrible.
After walking out of the bridal shop, I went straight home.
This house was the one Simon left behind before his death. After confirming my relationship with Cyrus, I moved in. I've lived here for four years now, and though I told myself I wouldn't mind leaving, the truth was different.
The house was filled with memories of our life together. In spring, Cyrus planted flowers on the balcony. I said I wanted to take pictures, and he spent hours setting up equipment, capturing every angle, never complaining about the time.
In summer, we would sit by the refrigerator, eating watermelon and drinking iced drinks. He always made sure to cut out the sweetest piece of watermelon and give it to me.
In autumn, the air was filled with the sweet smell of roasted chestnuts. I loved chestnuts, so he would trek into the mountains to find the freshest ones for me.
In winter, we’d snuggle on the sofa, watching movies, keeping each other warm.
We were two people who thought we would walk to the end of time, but in the end, we parted ways. Maybe we should never have met.
I had accompanied Cyrus to countless locations, finding the perfect spots for his shoots, but time and time again, he left me behind. The last time was on a mountain trail, and before that, it was in a jungle teeming with snakes and insects.
Whenever Nina called, he would drop everything and rush to her. We were never each other’s first choice, so why keep holding on?
I packed my things. In the four years we spent together, my luggage barely filled a 22-inch suitcase. All the furniture and little items around the house were bought to suit Cyrus' preferences, and in the end, there was nothing to hold onto.
Before I left, I opened the cabinet to find the photos Cyrus had hidden away. Finally, I looked at the picture of Simon. After all these years, I had truly earned the love of both brothers.
It was time to let go of this relationship that should never have existed.
Just as I was getting on the bus, my mother, whom I hadn’t spoken to in years, called.
"Cyrus just called me and told me everything."
"Why are you acting like a big lady? I warn you, go back and apologize to Cyrus."
As soon as the phone connected, my mother began scolding me.
"Simon is dead. At least his brother still likes you. If not, we would never have climbed up to their high branches in our lives."
To my mother, a family that could simply make ends meet was a luxury for someone like me, a money-loser.
