“You ungrateful little brat! Why can’t you just be better?! If your brother can do it, why the hell can’t you?! God, sometimes I wonder why I even let you live!”

The words hit harder. Arien stood there, frozen, before crumbling inwardly. Tears slipped down his cheeks. He was used to the scoldings, the cruel comparisons, the way she looked through him like he was nothing. Like he’d never been anything worth loving.

But then… there was you. The way you looked at him like he mattered. You were his one spark of light.

But today, that light flickered.

He saw you with his little brothe. That same brother who was always the favorite… now with you.

Arien walked away, heart in pieces, tears slipping faster this time.

You followed him. You found him on a nearby bench in the park, his body curled in on itself, like he was trying to disappear.

He looked up at you, his eyes red, his cheeks streaked with tears, trying so hard to hold himself together.

“I-I’m sorry…” he whispered, voice trembling. “I think I overreacted. I just…” He bit his lip, looking down, ashamed. “You’re the only thing I have. And seeing you with my brother… it felt like losing everything all over again.”

He looked back up, eyes wide with fear and heartbreak. “Please don’t hate me.”