Ever since Ethan fell ill, Christine hadn't been able to sleep well.
In her dreams, she would either see Ethan being rushed into surgery with his face covered in white cloth, or doctors telling her that Ethan was running out of time.
She felt trapped in these nightmares with no escape.
Tonight, however, she had the most unbelievable dream.
In the dream, it was spring, perhaps during a holiday. She was sitting in the mansion, with the sweet smell of cheese filling the air.
The family was gathered around the dining table. Rebecca was talking and laughing about something. Ethan sat on her right, while Adrian sat across from her.
Adrian wore his usual stoic expression. He had removed his suit jacket, revealing a black vest over a white dress shirt with an immaculate collar. His muscular chest was visible under the vest, and the shirt hugged his strong arms.
As Christine raised her glass to drink water, she noticed Adrian staring at her silently.
Frightened, she turned away and held Ethan's hand under the table.
Suddenly, Adrian stood up, walked to the stairs, then turned back and said to here: "Come up."
Christine looked at him in confusion, but her feet moved on their own.
"What does my dear brother want?" Ethan asked with a smile, letting go of her hand.
Christine stammered that she didn't know.
Wasn't Ethan already recovered? Why did Adrian still need to see her?
Christine followed Adrian up the stairs, and as soon as she stepped into the dark corner where the light hadn't been turned on, Adrian suddenly turned around. He covered her mouth and lifted her skirt.
The man's warm, large hand started from her thigh and moved upward. He inserted a finger into her pussy, followed by his hot, hard cock.
The feeling of being stretched and filled made her want to scream, but he tightly gripped her neck, making her whole body tremble in pain.
He started fucking her on the stairs.
He tore her panties, lifted one of her legs, and stood behind her, thrusting into her. The stairs creaked loudly, and downstairs, the sounds of her family's laughter and chatter mixed with the man's low grunts. She was gagged and couldn't make a sound. Adrian's strength was immense, pinning her firmly onto his cock.
"Chrissy? Adrian?"
Suddenly, Ethan's voice came from downstairs. "What are you guys doing?"
Ethan's footsteps grew closer, his sneakers hitting the stairs, blending with the sounds of Adrian and her bodies slapping together.
Christine panicked and tried to push Adrian's hand away, crying and begging him to pull out, but Adrian only gripped her tighter and thrust harder, the sounds of their bodies meeting filling the air with wet smacks.
Ethan's footsteps were right behind them, about to turn the corner. In just two more steps, he would see his wife being fucked by his brother.
"Chrissy?" Ethan's voice brushed past her ear.
Christine dared not turn her head, only managing to let out a muffled scream as she tightened her pussy and climaxed in sheer terror.
…
Christine screamed and cried as she woke up from her dream.
She sat on the bed for a long time, her heart still pounding wildly, her fingertips numb, and her limbs trembling uncontrollably.
The dream was too bizarre. Christine thought she might have been fucked senseless by Adrian these past few days. After regaining her composure, she got out of bed and looked under the covers, only to find her crotch wet and her panties sticky.
Her pussy released a stream of clear fluid, as if still retaining the sensation of being fucked.
Christine changed her underwear and made her way downstairs, her body feeling weak and sore.
"Good morning, Christine. You're up," Sophie was downstairs, having prepared a nutritious breakfast. Though Christine had no appetite, she forced herself to eat some salmon and Greek yogurt, then thanked Sophie.
Sophie was just her nutritionist, but Christine could feel her genuine friendly concern. During this difficult time, while Christine carried so many secrets and sorrows, Sophie's kindness touched her deeply.
"Oh, please, you're too kind! Anyone would be nice to someone as wonderful as you," Sophie rubbed her nose sheepishly, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, the driver just told me your family is waiting outside in their car. It's your brother's birthday today, right?"
Only then did Christine remember it was Oliver's birthday.
Though Oliver could be mischievous, he was thoughtful. Every year he insisted on spending his birthday with family, keeping his friends at bay.
Last year, they all went to Turkey for his birthday. Oliver even got to try paragliding, which he'd always dreamed of. Ethan went too, treating Oliver like his own brother. They had such a wonderful time that day.
She stumbled toward the door, her mind in a daze: She had always been her parents' pride, her brother's beloved and admired sister... How had things come to this? She'd even forgotten Oliver's birthday.
As soon as she stepped outside, she saw the family car parked by the entrance. Her brother was in the driver's seat, with their parents in the back.
They wanted to see her but knew she didn't want visitors, so they could only park outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. She noticed a large cake box in the backseat - the centerpiece of Oliver's birthday celebration every year.
Christine walked to the car window, tears streaming down her face as she bowed and apologized to her family inside.
I'm sorry... for making you worry. I'm so sorry for everything these past few days. I've been such an unworthy daughter.
There was so much more she wanted to say - like how the weather would turn cold soon, and dad needed to dress warmly because of his sensitive stomach; how mom should worry less and stop treating Oliver like a child since he'd grown up and could take care of himself... But all that came out were tears.
Seeing her daughter cry, Patricia's eyes immediately welled up. She opened the car door and embraced her daughter, both of them sobbing together.
Christine's father stood nearby, first offering his wife tissues to wipe her tears, then turning away discreetly to wipe his own eyes that were brimming with tears.
Oliver felt a lump in his throat too.
He got out of the car and, not knowing who to comfort first, simply pulled both his mother and sister into a tight embrace. With tears in his eyes but a smile on his face, he said, "Come on, stop crying. Tinnie's pregnant - crying isn't good for her health."
"Yes, yes, she's pregnant, we shouldn't cry," Patricia released her daughter, gazing at her tired face while tenderly stroking her cheek. Then, catching herself, she shot Oliver a stern look: "Show some respect - call her 'sister'!"
"Fine, you're both my sisters!"
Oliver joked, taking his mother's and sister's hands in his. "My dear sisters, it's my birthday today. Can we try to be happy? I brought cake - shall we share it in the car?"
"Yes, let's get in."
The mood lightened, and Christine playfully pinched Oliver's cheek.
It was the first time she'd smiled since Ethan's accident.
Once in the car, Christine explained again to her parents that she had thought everything through carefully. Ethan deserved her lifelong commitment, and no matter what happened to him, she would never abandon him.
Though her father still didn't approve, he couldn't keep opposing his daughter's decision. He finally sighed and told Christine that if she ever felt overwhelmed, she could always come home - they would always be family.
Christine needed to get to the hospital to see Ethan soon. Oliver saved her the biggest piece of cake, along with the chocolate decoration from the top, before driving their parents home.
As the car merged into traffic, Christine stood holding the cake box, watching them drive away. She bowed deeply at the departing car, silently mouthing "happy birthday" as another tear fell to the ground.
Christine knew she had the most wonderful family in the world.
She was fortunate to have three people who loved her so deeply, cared for her so much, and accepted her unconditionally.
And she was sorry for causing them such worry and distress.