Chapter 1

I brought Vivian, my girlfriend of five years, home to meet my parents.

Over dinner, my mom found out Vivian made $500,000 a year as a tech lead. Her smile nearly split her face.

She even uncorked a bottle of vintage wine she’d been saving for three years.

The mood was perfect. I smiled and decided to strike while the iron was hot. "Mom, so when should we set the wedding date?"

My mom’s hand paused mid-pour.

She didn't look at me. Instead, she hesitated, her eyes drifting toward my younger brother, Julian, who was quietly eating beside us.

"Julian isn't as capable as you."

"His job is mediocre, and his social circle is small. Let him have Vivian. You can always find someone else."

I froze. The smile on my face hardened, my brain completely stalling out.

My own mother was actually telling me to hand over my girlfriend of five years to my brother.

My hands began to shake with rage. "Mom, love isn't a hand-me-down. You don't just 'give someone up' like that."

I turned around, grabbed Vivian’s hand, and moved to leave.

But Vivian stayed rooted to the spot, looking at me with a conflicted expression.

"Lucas, actually... I think your mom has a point."

I was stunned. My mind went completely blank as I stared into Vivian’s face.

I searched that familiar face, desperate to find even the slightest hint that she was joking.

There was none.

She was dead serious.

"What did you just say?"

The words scraped out of my dry throat.

"My mom is talking crazy, and you're just going along with it?"

Vivian didn't budge. She glanced at me calmly.

"It's not crazy. I just gave it some serious thought."

"Thought about what?!" I practically yelled.

"Your mom is right."

Vivian pulled her gaze away from me and let it settle on Julian, who was sitting quietly on the couch.

"My mom has always preferred someone like Julian, too. Stable, grounded, built for a quiet domestic life."

Suddenly, I felt like a massive joke.

Five years together. We went from scraping by in a cramped studio apartment to a nice two-bedroom.

Because her job was insanely demanding, I learned to cook every single meal she liked. Every day, on top of working full-time, I took care of her every need.

And now she was telling me I wasn't built for a domestic life?

I looked at Julian on the couch.

He sat there so quietly, looking completely docile and harmless.

Just like he’d been our entire lives. Always the fragile one who needed protection. Always the one everyone favored.

I just never imagined that this time, what he wanted to take was my girlfriend.

"Julian, say something," I demanded, staring down my brother. "Do you honestly think this makes any sense?"

Julian lifted his head, his eyes already brimming with tears.

Then, he spoke.

"Lucas, you're so accomplished. You have everything."

"You have a great career, you're handsome, and you can easily find someone better anytime you want."

"I'm not like you. I've always been useless. I don't know how to do anything, and my circle is tiny. If I lose Vivian, I might never meet someone this amazing for the rest of my life."

Tears spilled over his lashes, dripping one by one onto his knees.

"Just let me have her. That way, Mom won't have to worry about me anymore."

"Lucas... you love me the most, right?"

Right.

Ever since we were kids, everything I had was up for grabs if he wanted it.

He liked my brand-new sneakers? Give them to him.

I got straight A's and Dad bought me a gaming console? Julian wanted it, so give it to him.

He was sickly, so I did his homework, took his chores, and took the blame whenever he messed up. Everything. I let him have everything.

But Vivian was a human being.

She was my partner of five years.

"Julian, do you even hear yourself?"

I glared at him.

"She's your brother's girlfriend! We were about to get engaged! How could you—"

"That's enough!"

My mom slammed her wine glass down onto the table, splashing red wine across the tablecloth.

"Lucas, your brother is literally begging you! What more do you want?"

She stood up, glaring at me aggressively.

"Vivian already agreed! The girl herself doesn't mind, so why are you throwing a tantrum here? Acting like you're the victim!"

"She is MY girlfriend!"