I Gave Up My Life To My Brother

Mom’s smile faded.

She pointed toward my closed bedroom door and said, “He’s in his room, throwing a tantrum.”

She said loudly, “Ches, come out! It’s New Year’s today. I’m not going to punish you anymore.”

I shouted, “Mom, I’m right here! I’m not in pain anymore. Dylan got better, too!”

But no one could hear me.

In the room, my tiny figure was curled up on the cold floor.

Mom frowned. “Chester, do you hear me? Come out!”

Dylan slid down from Grandma’s lap and called out, “Chester, come out! I don’t blame you anymore. Grandma misses you.”

After a few seconds, Mom’s face darkened.

“Forget it, Mom. Don’t bother with him. That kid just keeps getting worse. He’s spoiled rotten.”

Grandma looked at the closed door and shook her head. “Chester used to be so good and sensible. How did he turn out like this? Dylan’s so ill, but he still won’t cut his own brother any slack…”

My heart tensed and felt heavy.

Was Grandma disappointed in me, too?

In the past, she used to feel sad for me whenever she saw the wounds on my body. She would pull Mom and Dad aside and say, “You can’t do this! It’s not fair to Ches.”

It seemed like she no longer sympathized with me.

It was all my fault. I did not protect Dylan properly. I had let him get bullied.

I wanted to rush over and grab Grandma’s hand. I wanted to lie across her knees like I did when I was little and say, “Grandma, I haven’t been all bad. I… I gave my life to Dylan because I wanted him to live.”

But I could not touch her.

She sighed again and took Dylan’s hand.

“Dylan, honey. You have to stay healthy, okay?”

Just then, her gaze fixed on his wristband.

“Dylan, why is your wristband flashing?”

My soul trembled in excitement.

Grandma saw it! This was the sign that the lifespan transfer had succeeded.

Soon, they would discover that Dylan had been granted a long life! Then, everyone would be happy. They could have a good new year.

But Dad just glanced at it and said, “It’s just updating the data. That’s normal.”

After that, he picked up his coat.

“Mable, Deborah, let’s go. I made a reservation. We’re going out for New Year’s Eve dinner! It’ll be fun.”

“What about Ches?” Deborah hesitated.

“Forget him!”

Mom said coldly, “Let him go hungry for once. Then, he’ll come out of the room. Let’s go.”

I followed them. I decided to have one last New Year’s dinner with them, even if they could not see me.

I followed them into the restaurant. It was very lively. All our other relatives were there too.

“Oh, Dylan! Dylan’s here! Come here, let me take a look at you!

“Dylan’s looking so much better! Praise the Lord!”

Everyone crowded around Dylan.

I drifted among them. No one even mentioned me.

The waiters began serving dishes. Everyone laughed and chatted. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming.

Then, Dad’s phone rang.

“Mr. Jeater? I’m calling from the wristband technical support team. This is an emergency. We’ve detected that the transfer wristband you purchased has stopped functioning. It’s because…”

Dad did not even listen to the rest. He hung up and rushed to Dylan’s side.

Everyone had heard the part where the technical support team said the wristband had completely stopped functioning.

Mom hurried over to Dylan and grabbed his wrist.

“Dylan, how are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?!”

Dad looked at Dylan worriedly.

The room instantly went silent.

Mom looked at Dad.

“It’s Ches! It has to be Chester! He must’ve broken the wristband! He’s trying to kill Dylan! How can he be so cruel? We raised him for nothing!”

Our relatives began to whisper, “Ches is usually so well-behaved.”

“He’s six years old! He’s old enough to know better. How can he be so reckless?”

Their words hurt me more than the blisters.

I had not broken the wristband. I even gave my life to Dylan.

“Come on! We’re going home right now!”

Mom held Dylan. Her gaze was filled with anger.

“I want to know exactly what Chester thinks he’s doing!”

Dad’s expression turned cold, too. He grabbed his coat and followed after Mom.

I floated behind them as I watched them rush out of the restaurant.

As soon as we got home, Mom stormed up to my door. Without a moment’s hesitation, she kicked the door open.

I wanted to stop her. Dylan might be terrified if he saw me in that state.

But Mom walked straight through me.

She said angrily, “Chester, you won’t stop until Dylan’s dead, will you? What exactly do you—”

She trailed off. When she spoke again, her voice faltered.

“C-Chester, what happened to you?”