Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother

“Harper, we’ve been friends for over 20 years. Staying at your place feels as comfy as my own home. But with you moving, it’s like there’s an emptiness in my heart.

“If it weren’t for Felix’s mistakes, this wouldn’t be happening. Just the thought of being apart from you

hurts,” Aunt Melinda sald.

“This isn’t his fault. We’re moving because we like the new place and the neighborhood’s architecture. It really has nothing to do with Felix. Don’t overthink it,” Morn comforted her.

“I know, Harper, I know everything,” Aunt Melinda said, breaking into tears again.

I fell asleep again at some point and had a particularly frightening nightmare.

I found myself falling into an abyss surrounded by towering mountains with no visible peaks. Water relentlessly cascaded from above, swiftly engulfing me up to waist level.

All around, there were only barren mountains and tumultuous waters. I was trapped in the water, completely immobilized. When I tried to scream for help, my throat felt constricted, and I was unable to

voice a word.

Terrified and desperate, I suddenly woke up, realizing my clothes were drenched in cold sweat, making me feel sticky and uncomfortable.

After a shower and a glass of warm water from the kitchen, I returned to bed but couldn’t fall asleep again. I opened my phone to watch videos.

Felix’s message came in at that moment, with only a few simple words that read. “Is it because of me?”

After thinking for a while, I understood he was referring to our family moving.

Presumably, Aunt Melinda had told him about our new house, and he came to ask me about the reason.

I thought for a moment, wondering how to explain this to him. Then, I realized that buying a house was a family matter, and I didn’t need to justify the reasons to him. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

We eventually reached a point where neither of us spoke, and I didn’t bother replying to him.

About half an hour later, he sent me a voice message on WhatsApp lasting 47 seconds. I deleted it without listening, exited the page, and immersed myself in a book I had been eager to read.

The weather the next day was exceptionally good. The autumn sky was a clear azure, and the gentle

breeze was delightful. I reclined on Dad’s lounge chair in the small yard, savoring the

I wasn’t sure when Felix came over, but when I noticed, he seemed to have been standing beside me for a while.

“Why didn’t you reply to my messages?” He was standing against the light, and I couldn’t discern his expression.

“Did you text me? I haven’t been feeling well these days and have been constantly wanting to sleep, sol didn’t pay much attention.” I said calmly.

y words.

He looked at me intensely as if he was trying to figure out the truth in my

I let him scrutinize. It didn’t matter whether it was true or false. Felix’s feelings and thoughts were no

longer my concem.

After a long while

he asked, “Lulu, will we still be friends in the future?”

“Go with the flow.” I replied with a hint of coldness and detachment.

I had given him the chance to be my lover and friend, but he didn’t value it.

The chaotic summer break finally came to an end. Under Mom’s concerned reminders and Dad’s reluctant gaze. I embarked on the journey once again.

For some reason, Felix insisted on leaving on the same day as me.

I didn’t care. If we’re leaving together, so be it. It was just a short journey from home to the airport.

The paths of our lives had long diverged.