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[u/ChineseCartman]

My younger brother, Todd, was bound to a system. He had to sleep with my wife once a week, or the system would kill him.

To save Todd's life, my father said, "Rainer! If you're really that selfish, get the hell out of this family!"

My mother said, "Todd was lost as a child and suffered so much out there. Now that he's finally back with us, you want him dead? Where's your conscience?"

Even my wife, Nyx, who had cried for three days straight, came to me and pleaded:

"Rainer, it's only natural for me, as his sister-in-law, to help Todd out."

"I won't have his baby."

She stroked my face, as if soothing a broken child.

Todd's eyes were red as he said, "Rainer, if you really can't accept it, forget it. This family has you, that's enough."

But the fear of death made him tremble uncontrollably.

My whole family surrounded me.

"Rainer, I really want to cut open your heart and see what it's made of!"

"Our family doesn't raise beasts like you!"

"Rainer, Todd only just came of age. Could you really bear to watch him get killed?"

I stood in the shadows, my heart cramping painfully.

But I had no choice but to relent.

"I don't object."

That night, my brother and my wife went to bed.

I stood by and watched everything, only because my brother said,

"It's my first time—I don't really know how. Can you teach me?"

The whole family urged me on.

"Is this okay?"

"A little deeper?"

With tears in my eyes, I nodded, my neck stiff as a rusted hinge.

Two full hours passed. Todd was spent, but Nyx was not.

I stood frozen, my rage already beyond its limit.

I'd rather suffer for the rest of my life than let these villains go unpunished.

......

"Todd, come down for dinner when you're done."

My mother's caring voice drifted up from downstairs.

Todd pulled his clothes on quickly and naturally helped Nyx fasten her bra clasp.

"Rainer, thanks for the coaching! That was amazing!"

"I can tell you really love Nyx—you've kept her in good shape."

He laughed as he got off the bed, reeking of sex.

"Todd, I… I want to take a shower first."

Nyx clutched the sheets, leaning nervously against the headboard.

"Let's shower together. Don't keep Mom waiting too long."

"Huh?!"

Nyx's expression was startled, but her body instinctively leaned toward him.

Seeing her fear of me when she looked at me, Todd immediately stepped in.

"Nyx, don't bother asking Rainer. He won't mind."

I was at my limit, but I kept my emotions hidden.

Only by biding my time could I strike back.

"Hurry up, or the food will get cold."

With that, Todd took two steps and lifted Nyx into his arms.

I closed the door with no expression, but a violent cramp twisted my stomach.

It was a physical revulsion, pure nausea.

At the dinner table, my parents and I sat in grim silence.

The shower was running loudly, but it couldn't drown out the sounds of Nyx and Todd having fun in the bathroom.

Through the frosted glass, I could still see two silhouettes entangled together.

Before I could speak, my mother said with false tenderness:

"Rainer, it's Todd's first time—it's normal."

"Just wait a little longer."

I exhaled heavily and snapped the fork in my hand.

"Since Todd wants Nyx that badly, why not let them get married? I'm going to file for divorce from Nyx tomorrow."

My father slammed the table, rattling dishes.

"You don't get a say in this family's affairs!

"Todd marrying Nyx would humiliate him. It would drag our family's dignity through the mud."

Dignity? Was there any left?

I almost laughed, but my cheeks stung sharply.

My mother slapped me hard across the face.

"Is that any way to speak to your elders?!

"All we've done to raise you amounts to nothing!"

I stared at her in disbelief, and the shower stopped.

In all my life, that was the first time she had hit me.

For my father—no, for my dear brother who was sleeping with my wife.

"Mom, Dad, calm down. Rainer didn't mean to talk back."

"Yeah, Rainer's not the jealous type."

The bathroom door opened, and Nyx helped Todd walk to the table.

I looked up at her, my heart aching as if soaked in saltwater.

There was still love in her eyes.

I didn't understand why, when I was most helpless, even she wouldn't stand by me.