My Brother, Though We Have Different Parents

After Dad passed away, Mom took me with her when she remarried.

My stepfather was gentle and treated both of us well.

I liked everything about this new family, except that I was afraid of my stepfather's son.

Whenever he saw me, he would stare at me with a gloomy expression, and I just wanted to hide from him.

He cornered me in a narrow alley and asked, “Are you afraid of your big brother?”

Trembling, I said, “You look so fierce…”

He leaned close to my ear and said gently, “Don't be afraid of me, little sister. I'd give my life for you.”

After that, my big brother wore a smile every day, and everyone thought he'd changed.

I thought so too.

Back then, I didn't know he was trying to win me over with that smile.