The Hidden Story of My Brother

When I asked why he hid it from us, his voice broke. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I was scared. Mom expected so much from me. And you… you always did everything right. I thought if I told you, everything would fall apart.”

I reminded him through tears, “We could’ve loved them. All of them.”

That night, I barely slept. I kept thinking about birthdays I missed, first steps I never saw, memories they made without us. The idea that he thought we wouldn’t accept them hurt the most.

Meeting the Family He Hid

Two days later, Nick invited me to meet Clara and Lea.

I was nervous and still angry, but I went.

Their home smelled like cinnamon. Clara greeted me kindly but cautiously, unsure whether I came with love or resentment. She seemed gentle, with soft eyes that brightened whenever she looked at Nick.

Then Lea came running into the room, chocolate on her cheek, crayons in her hand. When Nick introduced me as her aunt, she smiled with the same dimple I have. “Do you wanna draw with me?” she asked.

Continue READING