After Sebastian Mom disappeared behind the door, Amelie tried to stop me.
“So, what were you two up to? Come on, you’re making me curious!” she pouted.

I glanced at Sebastian, silently asking for help to answer his sister’s question.

“Kids aren’t allowed to meddle in grown-up business,” Sebastian teased, laughing mischievously.

That only made Amelie pout even more.
“Ugh, seriously? So annoying! Who are you calling a kid? Don’t be so full of yourself!” she snapped, grabbing a throw pillow and chucking it at him.

Sebastian burst into laughter at his younger sister’s half-angry antics. Amelie, now even more irritated, grabbed another pillow to throw at him again.

“Hey, hey! You two, cut it out. Sebastian, stop teasing her already. You should go take a shower,” I stepped in, trying to calm them down.

“There you go, listen to El. Go shower, shoo!” Amelie stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

“Well, well, someone’s feeling bold now that she has an ally,” Sebastian chuckled.

Amelie laughed at his words. “Of course! I mean, how lucky am I to have such a pretty and kind sister-in-law like El? And she’s my best friend too! Right, El?”

I just smiled at the sight of these two siblings acting like little kids.

Deep down, I felt a warmth, a sense of comfort just being part of their lively banter. I never even dreamed of having a family moment like this again. And now, I’m actually part of one—something I never thought I’d have. Amelie, who was once just a friend from college, was now my sister-in-law.

I looked at Sebastian... I was always captivated whenever I saw him laugh like that. It hit me again—that I once fell for a different version of him, the one I knew as Mr. B.

And I had no idea that the man I was so drawn to was actually Sebastian, Amelie’s older brother—the same Sebastian I’d known through campus stories and shared friendship.

“El? Hey?” Amelie waved her hand in front of my face. “You spacing out? Sebastian’s gone. Probably in the shower now. So, come on, spill! What were you guys dealing with earlier?”

I looked around the room, and sure enough, Sebastian was no longer there. He must’ve gone to take that shower like I told him.

“Well… it’s actually something personal, Mel. That’s probably why Sebastian didn’t want to talk about it either,” I said, hoping she’d understand.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry! I didn’t know it was something private. I thought you guys were dealing with, um… Mom’s surgery stuff…” Amelie said, lowering her voice.

“It’s not that. It’s actually about my side hustle. Just something personal I needed to talk to your brother about.”

“Hehe, sorry, El. You must think I’m super nosy, huh? Always wanting to know everyone’s business,” she said, looking embarrassed.

I shook my head with a soft smile. “It’s fine, really. It’s totally normal to be curious. You’re worried about your mom. That’s totally understandable.”

Amelie nodded, letting out a small laugh. “Yeah, I’m just really anxious. I just want her to get better already.”

I patted her hand gently, hoping to ease her nerves.

“Don’t worry, Mel. We’ll find a hospital that can do the surgery soon. I know your brother will do everything he can to make sure your mom gets the best care.”

Amelie smiled at my reassurance. “You’re right. Sebastian probably already has a whole list of hospitals lined up. And now that Mom’s finally agreed to the surgery, I guess I don’t need to stress so much anymore,” she said before giving me a hug. “Thanks, El. Seriously. It’s all thanks to you.”

“Thanks to me?” I asked, a little confused.

“Well, yeah! None of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t said yes to marrying my brother. Just imagine if Sebastian had gone ahead and married that mysterious girl who totally ghosted him. Who knows how things would’ve turned out.” Amelie sighed. “Mom’s been so much more motivated to get better ever since you two got married.”

“But Mel, this isn’t all because of me,” I said, touched by her words. “You’re her daughter. You being by her side must mean a lot to her too.”

“Hah, says who? El, my mom was the worst patient ever. Getting her to eat was a battle, let alone convincing her to see a doctor.” Amelie rolled her eyes dramatically.

“She probably had her reasons for acting that way.”

“Yeah, I think so too. Sebastian and I have talked about it. We figured she must’ve had her own reasons for being so resistant,” she smiled faintly. “And when she finally told us the reason… ugh, it gave both of us a headache.”

“A headache? What did she say that stressed you guys out?”

Amelie looked at me and made a face. “She said she didn’t want to do anything—didn’t even want to think about surgery—until Sebastian got married. Can you believe that? She was under so much pressure, constantly getting nagged about marrying off her son. Who wouldn’t be stressed?”

“She must’ve had strong reasons for wanting him to settle down.”

“Yeah, she was worried that Sebastian would get too comfortable living alone and just keep dating around.”

“Wait… was that something Sebastian was actually planning?”

“Of course not, El! That’s just Mom’s fear talking. She’s scared he might never want to marry after everything she went through with Dad.” Amelie’s voice turned somber.

And honestly, it made sense. Even now, Amelie and Sebastian probably still wished their father would change for the better. Sadly, that hope seemed more like a fantasy than a possibility.

“I should be thanking all of you too, you know. For letting me be a part of your family. Even though I don’t have anyone else.”

“You always say that, El. But listen—just because you don’t have family doesn’t mean you’re not enough.” Amelie gave me a look, then added with a grin, “As long as you promise me one thing.”

“Another promise? What now, Mel?” I raised an eyebrow.

She giggled. “Promise you won’t leave my brother. You’ve always been so kind and selfless, and I know you said yes to marrying him partly because of me and Mom.”

I blinked in surprise. “Mel, why would you think something like that?”

“I mean… I’m just scared, okay? You’re still young and beautiful—of course there are tons of guys out there who are more charming than my brother and would want to be with you.”

“Mel, to me, this marriage is serious. I’m not going to walk away from it just like that.”

“You mean it, El? You promise you won’t leave him? No matter what?”

“I promise, Mel. I really do…”

***