In love with my Husband's Brother

's poin

head pounding. I looked around, trying to rem

colas was lying next to me, fast asleep. I fel

r. I remembered going to the bar, meeting Nicolas, and

ger, regret, and disappointment. I had been so stu

hat had happened. As I made my way to the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirro

shame wash over m

been so reckless. I didn't even know Nicolas' last name, or what he did for a livi

t of day, I realized I had

ill fast asleep. I felt a pang of annoyance. He was still

nd kept sleeping. I sighed, feeling frustrated. I nee

re out what to do, my phone rang

ault on the way.....anywas how is it going, hope you enjoye

w to answer. "It's...comp

" Rachel asked, h

ing. About meeting Nicolas, about going ho

ment. "Maureen, you need to get

se of determination. "Y

fore my grandmother would come and find him here, the last thing I wanted was another heated argument like that of last night and then

up," I said, sh

ng his eyes and looking at m

is voice groggy.

u to leave," I sa

his eyes. "Oh, okay. I d

d, as he got out of bed an

s shirt. "Last night was fun. But I think we b

thought it was just a one-time thing? He

I said, my

rprised. "Hey, no need t

e door. "Get out, Nicola

eaving me feeling relieved but also a

wash over me. I was glad to be rid of him, and I

nd, flashing with missed calls and texts. My heart sank as I saw the number of

one, my mind racing with

group home. We've been trying to reach you since last night. Your grandmother was r

ther, who had been my only living relative, was

o the gut. I had been so focused on my own mistakes, my own reg

ollapsed onto my bed, tears streaming down m

ly left. I was truly alone in the world. And

th back, arranging to meet her at the hospital t

how my life had turned out. I was all alone in the world, an

and condolences. My grandmother had passed away just a few

and I knew that I would have to live w

well-dressed man in a suit walked in. He looked out of place among the hust

the sympathetic look in his eyes,

o see you under these circumstances. My name is Mr.

of trepidation. What did h

I need to discuss something with you concerning your gr

curiosity. What could my grandmot

ut there is a condition that needs to be met before you

rprise. A condition?

ked, feeling a sen

ected, and stay married to him for at least five months before you can

tlas? I barely knew him! And stay married t

s?" I asked, feeling

received the inheritance. She believed that Atlas would be a good influence on

other had always wanted the best for me, and I knew s

I would marry Atlas and stay married to him for five m

Emily walking up behind me. She had been waiting for me in

ked, her voice laced with disbelief. "Y

e of defensiveness. "What do you mea

And you're just going to marry him because of some

know Atlas at all. And marrying someone I didn't

his voice gentle. "This is a big decision. Y

e of uncertainty. What w

stration in her eyes. "Maureen, please listen to me. You're no

er's sake. I'm doing it because I feel guilty. Guilty that I didn't know she was suffering from stage four

"Maureen, that's not your fault. You didn't know. And even if you

mily. I could have been there for her. I could have been a better granddaug

t responsible for your grandmother's death. And marrying someone yo

was going to see it through. No matter what. "I

voice firm. "I have to do this. It's what m

you're not thinking clearly. You're still g

doing what's right. My grandmother always looked ou

bout your own happiness?

at I wanted without thinking about the consequences. If I hadn

ice firm. "What matters is doing what my grandmother w

hat you're feeling guilty, Maureen. But this isn'

up my mind, and I was going to