Page 105 of Broken Bonds

His face contorts with anger and hurt. He has feelings for Stella, the woman he pretended to be me with.

“You took my life, so I’ll take everything from you,” I vow through gritted teeth.

“That’s going to be easy, you pathetic stuttering fool.” He sneers at me. “But first, we’re going to have a little chat like brothers. I’ve been waiting thirty years for this.”

“I have no idea what you mean.” I stutter, my words catching in my throat as I look at the man claiming to be my brother. His eyes are filled with a cold, simmering rage that chills me to the bone.

Until a few weeks ago, I had no idea of his existence. But now, standing before me in this desolate forest, it feels like black clouds have settled over us, casting an eerie and heavy atmosphere.

“The orphanage,” he begins. “We were there together. One day, a wealthy family arrived looking for a child and the workers took me. When the Krals saw me, they fell in love and decided to adopt me.”

My mind races as his words match up with what my mother told me about my adoption. But then he drops another bombshell.

“What happened? Why did they end up taking me?” I ask, confusion and fear gripping me.

His eyes narrow into slits as he spits out his next words, each one dripping with venom.

“The people at the orphanage only care about money. The Krals were willing to make a fat donation, so they did what they had to do to ensure they got a desirable child. And you, my dear brother, were not deemed desirable enough.”

My heart sinks as I realize the extent of the greed and deception that led to our separation.

“And why not introduce us both?” I push, desperation creeping into my voice.

He sneers at me. “Like I said, they wanted to secure an adoption. A shy, sickly, and stuttering boy was going to ruin everything.”

My blood runs cold as I try to comprehend the level of betrayal and manipulation that has occurred.

“What happened?” I choke out, my hands trembling.

A dark laugh echoes through the trees around us. “Then chicken pox happened. As luck would have it, I got infected while you were in a different room with a cold. When the Krals came back for me, they saw you as the perfect replacement.”

My mind reels as I process this new information, trying to make sense of everything that has been kept from me.

“I didn’t know, I had no idea…” I start to explain, but he cuts me off with a bitter laugh.

“You forgot about me so quickly? Did you forget my existence and even my name, Boo?” He taunts me, using the childhood nickname that only adds to the weight of guilt and shame I feel.

I close my eyes tightly, trying to block out the flood of memories rushing through my mind. A younger version of myself hiding under a bed, seeking comfort from a boy just like me who was also struggling with life in the orphanage. The same boy who now stands before me, filled with hatred and anger towards his long-lost brother.

“Boo…” I whisper, because I remember it all too well. It has always been there, tucked away in a dark corner of my mind.

“Broderick?” I say his name tentatively, unsure if he will even acknowledge it.

“Hello, dear little brother,” he replies bitterly.

“I swear to you…” I begin to explain, wondering if there is any point in doing so.

But he cuts me off again. “Excuses, excuses. They are useless after thirty years. While you lived my life, I prepared my plan. You took what belonged to me, now is the time to give it all back.”

My heart pounds in my chest and cold sweat breaks out on my back. I need to find the right words to calm him down and get out of here alive - all of us. He may be tormented and full of rage, but he’s still my brother.

The brother that I had forgotten about.

“You can keep all the money,” I offer, my voice shaking. “Let’s get out of here and you can have it all. It doesn’t matter to me, it’s yours.”

But he just laughs at my words, a cruel sound that echoes through the forest.

“I’m not an idiot,” he yells, his eyes wild with madness. “I won’t fall for your stupid trap.”

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