Chapter 2: Ghosts of First Love

He said it like it was just between us, his voice soft and earnest. I tried to play it cool, but my heart was already giving me away.

It had been half a year since Ben and I started dating.

I hadn’t planned to break up with him so soon—he really was my type.

Tall, a college guy, looked slim in clothes, but take them off and his abs and that Adonis belt were right there.

Great body, but so shy he could wring water from a stone. The first time he took off his shirt in front of me, I asked if I could touch his abs.

His face turned bright red, even his neck flushing pink.

But he still didn’t back down. “If you want to touch, just touch.”

But he always looked away, never meeting my eyes.

He was like a green apple—crisp and sweet at first bite.

I loved him like that. I mean, really loved him like that. It still echoes in my chest sometimes.

After two months together, I gradually shaped him into my ideal type.

I taught him every move he’s got now. I remember the first time he hugged me.

“Sis, can you teach me?”

Ben, my obedient puppy.

It’s true—I’m fickle; I get bored fast, but I was too into Ben. Even my best friend, after seeing him, secretly gave me a thumbs up. “You’ve got something, Autumn.”

The sweet days lasted until my mom remarried.

She gently took my hand, announced the good news, and asked me to have dinner with the man so we could get to know each other. I was happy for her—until I walked into that restaurant and saw Ben sitting in the private room, texting me under the table. My heart did a weird little flip.

“Come, Autumn, this is your Uncle Tom.”

“I’ve often heard Linda say her daughter is amazing. Finally, I get to meet you today.”

Uncle Tom smiled warmly across the table and pointed at Ben. “This is my son, Ben Carter. He’s seven years younger than you.”

Neither Ben nor I could manage a smile.

The whole meal was just awkward. Every bite tasted like cardboard, and the conversation was stilted. I kept glancing at Ben, and he kept his head down, picking at his food. It was like we were both waiting for the world to end.

After dinner, my mom held my hand and cried. “Autumn, do you not want me to remarry? It’s okay, you don’t have to force yourself to be happy.”

My dad died young. My mom raised me alone. No one wants her to be happy more than I do.

I forced a smile and squeezed her hand.

“Mom, you’re overthinking it. I... I just think it’s a bit sudden.”

That night, I asked Ben out.

“Let’s break up.”

I turned to look out the window, unable to bear his expression.

I had no choice. You can find another man, but my mom only gets one shot at happiness.

But I didn’t expect him to cry.

“Sis... don’t leave me.”

Ben’s eyes were red with tears.

“I won’t call you sister anymore!”

He choked on his words.

“Autumn, why can’t we be together?”

I almost ran away in a panic.

I remembered my mom’s beaming smile when she saw Uncle Tom that day.

She’s suffered too much over the years.

I don’t want her to have any worries because of me.

I told myself, Autumn, it’s just a man, just love—no one is that indispensable.

The fastest way to get over a breakup is to start a new relationship. Yeah, sure. Like that ever works.

But half a year passed, and every time I tried to date someone new, Ben would find a way to ruin it at the worst possible moment. Like clockwork.

Unlike other exes, Ben is my stepbrother now, so I can’t just cut him off. He’s always there, lurking, impossible to avoid.

At first, he used his ex-boyfriend status to wreck my dates. Showed up, made scenes, did the whole jealous ex routine.

But later, Ben seemed to get hooked on being a stepbrother and started invading my life as a "real brother." Like, showing up at my office, dropping in at family dinners—just everywhere.

Now, even my coworkers know I have a super handsome, sister-obsessed little brother. It’s become a running joke in the office.

The memory ends, and my feet are warm in his hands.

But thinking of Marcus’s suspicious look before he left makes me mad. Who knows what he thinks of me now!