Megan’s POV

“Megan, I dated Isabelle; she was my first love, my first girlfriend, and my first of everything in terms of love, from the first kiss, and I don’t need to elaborate since you are now an adult,” Dexter said. I realized right away that my brother is also in love with Ashton’s sister.

“We were in love, and I know she was in love with me too until Gregory Pritzgold found out about our relationship. That is why we kept our relationship secret, but they are super-rich, Megan. His father hired bodyguards for Isabelle, so I can’t get closer to her. But because we were eager to see each other, we still find a way, even if it is so scary on my part. I didn’t know his father hired a private investigator to know my background when he realized he couldn’t stop our love for each other.” Dexter said, and he paused for a while when our order arrived, and we ate our breakfast as I listened to my brother talked.

“Mom didn’t tell me about her illness. I was the one who asked her.” He said, and my eyes widened.

“How did you found out about it?” I asked.

“I didn’t, and it was Ashton’s father.” He said, and I stiffened.

“And that is the reason why I messed up my relationship with Isabelle. We need money for mom’s operation, and when I asked mom about it, she told me she rather die than have an operation we can’t afford. Mr. Prirtzgold offered me more than enough for mom’s operation, and he included the medicines, including mom’s maintenance after the operation. In exchange, I should stop seeing his daughter. I refused his offer right away because I love Isabelle.” Dex said, and I can see the sadness on his face.

“I thought I could find a way to help mom, but no matter where I look, I couldn’t find anything, Meg. It was such a large amount. In the end, I don’t have a choice since mom needed that money.” Dex said, and I covered my mouth with my hands to stop myself from screaming.

“Oh! No,” I said.

“Yes, Meg, I needed to sacrifice my first love to save mom from dying. I don’t want to do it, Meg, I love Isabelle so much, and the only way to make her leave me is to find an excuse; I asked one of my close friends to pretend to be my girl so Isabelle will get hurt, and will never look for me again, and I nailed the show. Still, she never knew I love her so much, and I never cheated on her, but I need to do my part of the deal with her father.” He said, and I can feel my brother’s pain.

“That is why I know right away she will use her brother to hurt you to get back at me.” Dex added.

“Right now, I am trying my best to work two jobs every day because I want to save money so I can pay Ashton’s dad and confess to Isabelle everything that happened.” He said.

“How much do you owe, Ashton’s father?” I asked.

“It is none of your concern, Megan.” He replied.

“It is also my debt, Dexter, because you use it for our mom,” I replied.

“You don’t need to be drag into my mess, Megan.” He said, and I could no longer stop myself from crying.

“Hey, don’t cry, Meg.” He said.

“Dexter, I know how much you are hurting right now because I can tell you love Isabelle. And my heart is aching for you. And I can now relate how to be a broken-hearted.” I said, and my brother chuckled.

“It would be all right to cry, Dex,” I said, and he shook his head.

“I have been crying for a long time now, Meg, and I guessed there are no more tears left.” He said, but I can tell he was only trying to cover up his pain. It was two years ago. How can my brother keep it to himself that long?

“You are a good son and a good brother, Dexter. Don’t worry, once I will become a chemical engineer or a chemist someday, I will help you.” I said, and he smiled before he drinks his hot chocolate.

“I can’t blame Isabelle for asking his brother to hurt you at my expense. And I want to tell Isabelle she nailed it; her plan was perfect. I fell in love with his brother hard.” I added.

“I am sorry, Megan.” He said.

“No, I am sorry that I didn’t listen to you,” I replied.

We fell silent for a long time, and I don’t know what to say to my brother anymore to help him alleviate his pain and help him with the money. He didn’t tell me how big it is, but I can say it is enormous since they used it for the heart bypass operation of my mother, and we are not millionaires, so that cost a lot for us.

“The best thing you can do to help me, Meg, just stay away from Ashton, don’t associate with Isabelle’s brothers.” He said, and I nodded my head since I couldn’t find my voice. We left the pancake house and went home. I haven’t seen mom, maybe she was resting in her room, and dad is in the living room watching a replay of a football game, and my heart aches again as I remember Ashton.

“Hi, Dad,” I said, and I walked to him, and I kissed his cheek.

“Hello, Meg. Did your brother drive you to the pancake house?” He asked, and I nodded my head and smiled at him.

“That is good, and I am sorry that I haven’t brought you there lately.” He said.

“It is fine, dad,” I replied.

My brother joined my father, and they talked about the game while I excused myself and I go to my room.

“Hey, are you okay, Meg?” Ava asked me the moment I get inside my room, and I look at my sister, and I know she is worried about me. Still, I don’t want to talk about what happened last night because now that I learned the truth, and I realized I need to forget Ashton even if my heart is against it; I don’t know what would be his reaction if he will find out my brother received a large amount of money from his father in exchange of staying away from his sister.

I know that Gregory Priztgold is against the relationship between Dexter and Isabelle. How much more about us? Ashton is the heir of his father’s empire, and I couldn’t believe what would be his father’s reaction if he will find out his eldest son is having a relationship with Dexter’s sister.

It would be another issue, Mr. Pritzgold will resolve it with money, and I couldn’t believe he did it to his daughter. Isabelle was in love with my brother. He was the reason his only daughter was broken-hearted. I couldn’t believe their dad, and I wish I can stop my heart from hurting so I can continue to study my lesson without a hassle.

“Ava, I am fine, and all I ask from you this time is don’t ever mention Ashton’s name or his brothers. I need to study.” I said, and she nodded her head and returned her focus on her notes, and I am so glad she listened to me.

We eat lunch together, and now that I know what is going on with my brother, I want to avoid mom because I don’t want her to ask me again about Dexter’s love life, and I am afraid she will learn the truth, and my mom will forever be guilty.

I am still studying my lessons in advance in my room, and I felt glad Ava went downstairs and she told me she would prepare our dinner so I can study.

“Thank you, Ava,” I said.

“That is the least I can do for you today, Meg.” She said before she closes my bedroom door, and I sighed. I am still answering my assignments when I heard Ava’s voice, and I can listen to her loud steps on the stairs.

“Megan, you need to get downstairs, Ashton is outside, and Dexter is angry.” She said, and I jumped on my feet, and I got out of my room, and I take the stairs two steps at a time, and I ran outside, and I was panting when I saw my brother punched Ashton hard on the face, and my ex hit him back, and they are now fighting each other. While Zachary and Ashton’s brothers are only on the sideline watching them fight, I can tell he warned them not to take part in his confrontation with my brother.

“Dexter, stop!” I yelled, and I felt glad Ashton moved right away when he heard my voice, and I hate that I looked at his face since I can see his sadness, and I can tell he is miserable right now.

“That is for hurting my sister!” Dexter shouted at him as I pulled his wrist away from Ashton.

“I never intend to hurt your sister, Dexter, and my intentions were pure. I love Megan, and I am not like you. You only fooled Isabelle.” Ashton shouted back, and my heart somersault when I heard him say he loves me, and I saw my brother curled his fists on his side, and I can tell he was shocked with Ashton’s confession too. And now that I know my brother’s agony, I can’t listen to my heart right now because I don’t want to be selfish, and I have to be strong for our family.

“Megan, please, I want to talk to you..” Ashton is begging me, and I just shook my head because I am not sure what will come out of my mouth, and when my brother pulled me with him, I don’t have a choice but to follow him inside without a second glance, even if I wanted to look back, and I felt my tears fell as I get inside our house.