It's been almost a month since the tragic accident that took the lives of their parents. A deep sorrow still hangs over their little family, especially the youngest, Axel. He hardly ever stops crying at night, though his tears aren't loud sobs or wailing. More like quiet whimpers, a habit formed from growing up surrounded by so much love from their parents and older brother. Axel had always been spoiled, the center of attention in the family. But this excessive attention had, without them realizing, left their adopted son, Aaron, overlooked, or even ignored.
Aaron was adopted with good intentions, meant to be a "bait child"[1] since their mom had medical issues that made her unable to get pregnant normally. He came from an orphanage when he was just four years old. For about three years, he felt the warmth and full affection of this small family. But everything changed when Axel was born. From that point on, their parents' focus shifted entirely to Axel. The special treatment continued as Axel grew into a somewhat spoiled boy. That tendency stuck with him even at thirteen, widening the gap between him and Aaron, especially after their parents' passing, leaving Axel as the one who had always been the focus of love.
Even though he was aware of the imbalance in attention and affection, Aaron still genuinely cared for his adopted little brother, Axel. From Aaron's perspective, Axel had always been incredibly cute, charming, and naturally lovable since the day he was born. No matter how wide the gap in treatment might be, Aaron had promised himself that he would always support and care for Axel, seeing him as the only close family he had left. This inner commitment became an emotional anchor for Aaron in the middle of a less-than-ideal family situation. He chose to keep his feelings to himself, focusing instead on how he could be a good older brother to Axel.
The family had been living in another region until Axel turned nine. The move was arranged by their father after receiving a job transfer. With the relocation, they settled into a house much larger and nicer than their previous one. For Aaron, life at that point could be considered comfortable. Their financial needs were well met, at least until he reached his first semester at university. His basic needs, food on the table, a comfortable place to live, and the chance to attend one of the country's prestigious public universities—were all taken care of. Living in such stable circumstances, Aaron felt like his future was secure, even if he always had to share space with the special treatment Axel received.
But all that stability and hope, built over years, fell apart in just one month.
Today, the situation was starkly different. Aaron and Axel sat slumped in their living room, which now felt cold and empty. The sudden death of their parents left not only grief but also a deep sense of confusion for Aaron. He had always relied on the steady financial support from his parents, and now, as the eldest, he had to figure out how to support himself in order to continue his studies, which had just reached the third semester. The weight of that responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders.
They didn't have many relatives to turn to for help, since their father was an only child and had lost his parents. The only family left was their mother's younger sibling. So Aaron's last hope rested on this uncle. Yet what hurt him the most was something that happened during their parents' funeral. On that day, filled with sorrow, right in front of him and Axel, the uncle said something that cut Aaron deeply.
"Listen, we can only cover for Axel's school, high school and college, even the private one, as long as it's good and he's got enough to eat. You… just go ahead and start working for now. I don't have money for your college, it's way too expensive."
Tears still streaked down Aaron's face as he faced the harsh reality that even in a moment this heartbreaking, he still had to hear words full of favoritism. Amid the choking grief and the freshly covered coffins of their parents, their uncle went on to point out the differences between the two of them. It was painfully insensitive. In that moment, surrounded by the quiet sobs of mourners and the somber atmosphere of the funeral, Aaron did his best to comfort his younger brother, Axel, who was crying uncontrollably while clinging to his waist. He gently rubbed Axel's back, trying to steady his brother's fragile emotions in the wake of such a sudden loss.
"Thanks, Uncle. Don't worry, I'll make sure Axel gets the best school."
That sentence wasn't just a promise, it was a vow he spoke over his parents' graves. Aaron wasn't only thanking them for the material support they might provide, he was also affirming his commitment to be a pillar for Axel. Even though a part of him still ached because his uncle seemed to care only about the youngest, Aaron used that moment to show he was ready to shoulder the responsibilities of being the new head of the family. The pleading expression he'd worn earlier had now shifted into a look of determination—a sign that Aaron had stepped into a new chapter of his life as his little brother's protector.
"Keep your chin up, Axel. From now on, it's just the two of us. I'll take care of you, I promise."
After making sure Axel had calmed down a little, Aaron slowly turned toward his uncle, his face showing clear signs of exhaustion, deep sadness, and a pleading vulnerability. His swollen eyes met his uncle's, silently hoping for a flicker of empathy, or at least some genuine support from the only relative left. He waited anxiously for what his uncle would say next, even though he could already guess where the conversation was headed. Aaron wanted to be proven wrong, but bitter past experiences had made him cautious. He stayed silent, letting the harsh words cut through him, because he knew that for the sake of his and Axel's survival, he had no choice but to accept help from anyone willing to offer it, even if that help came with conditions and an unavoidable emotional toll.
(>_<)
A few days after the funeral, their uncle's family at least made some time to come and be with them, though it was clear their main focus was on Axel. It was understandable. Axel was in a terrible state. A child used to being spoiled with love, he was struggling to cope with such a sudden and traumatic loss. Axel was at a complete low point mentally. He refused to eat and showed no interest in anything. He only wanted someone to fed him, sometimes by their aunt and sometimes by Aaron himself. Aaron worked hard to hide his own grief and exhaustion, giving his full support to the little brother he cared for so deeply.
That afternoon, the house felt quiet and heavy. Aaron, Axel, and their aunt were in the living room, trying to speak softly to distract Axel, even just a little, from his sorrow. Suddenly, a firm, unfamiliar knock sounded at the front door. It was different from the usual visits from relatives. Aaron exchanged a glance with his aunt, a strange feeling creeping over him. Who could possibly be visiting in the middle of their mourning? Aaron rose from the sofa and walked slowly toward the door to see who the two strangers standing on their doorstep were. The unexpected guests instantly broke the heavy silence of the house, bringing with them a new mystery no one had anticipated.
Aaron stepped toward the door and opened it. Standing in front of him were two formally dressed men who looked professional not like relatives or neighbors. A sudden tension ran through Aaron. One of the men stepped forward and asked in a formal tone, without any greeting
"Is this... Mr. Zayn's house?"
Aaron's uncle, who had been sitting in the living room, immediately approached and replied cautiously, "Yes, that's correct. I'm his brother. What happened?"
"We're from GoldenGate finance company," the man answered, pulling a thick envelope from his bag.
"We're here to deliver the first Warning Letter regarding a loan taken out by Mr. Zayn. The loan has been overdue for two weeks."
The room froze instantly. Shock rippled through everyone present, including Aaron. Until now, they had always believed their family was financially stable, the idea of a large debt had never crossed their minds. One of the men continued, his tone firm yet sympathetic:
"We've just received the sad news that he has passed away. Our deepest condolences. However, according to procedure, the responsibility for the loan automatically transfers. The last recorded person responsible as the primary debtor is his direct heir, Axel Oliver."
The revelation hit Aaron like a punch to the gut. A debt they didn't even know existed, coupled with the fact that his thirteen-year-old little brother was now legally the one responsible, sent a wave of panic through him. He glanced at Axel, who sat on the sofa with wide, innocent eyes, staring at him in confusion.
[1] In some rural Southeast Asian traditions, families sometimes adopt a “bait child,” believing that having a child in the household can psychologically help the mother conceive a biological child more easily. The adopted child is seen not only as part of the family but also as a symbolic or spiritual aid to encourage fertility.