God of Pain

11.Tara

I lay on my bed, tears still wet on my cheeks, as my thoughts drifted back to a memory I held close to my heart. I was seven years old, sitting in the garden of my father's home, my small frame trembling with sobs. The loss of my mother was fresh, the pain a constant, gnawing ache. The garden, once a place of joy, now felt empty and cold without her presence.

I remembered the scent of roses and the sound of distant birds singing in the trees. My knees were drawn to my chest, and I hugged them tightly, trying to find some semblance of comfort in the midst of my grief. The tears seemed endless, each one a tiny drop of my sorrow, each one a testament to the hole in my heart where my mother used to be.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw a boy, slightly older than me, cautiously approaching. His steps were tentative, but his eyes were filled with determination. In his small hands, he held a bouquet of freshly picked flowers, the petals slightly crumpled from his nervous grip.

"Hi," he said softly, standing a few feet away from me. I looked up, my vision blurred by tears, and saw him holding out the flowers shyly. "I'm Lucian. Your new brother."

I blinked, the surprise momentarily breaking through my grief. He shuffled his feet, a mix of excitement and nervousness playing across his face. "I always wanted a sister," he continued, his voice gaining a bit more confidence. "And now I have one. I'll protect you, Tara. I promise."

A small, hesitant smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Lucian's face lit up at my reaction, his excitement bubbling over. "I'll always keep you smiling," he declared, his voice filled with earnest sincerity. "I promise."

Despite the sadness that weighed heavily on my heart, I couldn't help but laugh. It was a small, fragile sound, but it was genuine. Lucian's grin widened, and he seemed to stand a little taller, proud of the small victory he had won.

From that moment on, Lucian was true to his word. He became my rock, my protector, and my constant source of laughter. In the years that followed, whenever I felt the weight of my mother's absence, Lucian was there to lift me up, to remind me that I wasn't alone. His promise to keep me smiling was one he never broke, and for that, I was eternally grateful.

As I lay in my bed, the memory of that day brought a bittersweet comfort. The pain of losing my mother would always be with me, but so would the love and support of the brother who had entered my life when I needed him most.

As I lay on my bed, my thoughts wandered back to Lucian. Over the years, he had become more than just my step-brother. He had stepped into the roles of both father and mother for me, always there with a comforting word or a protective arm. He was my rock, my confidant, and the one person who could always make me smile.

Lucian had a way of making everything seem brighter, even on the darkest days. His unwavering support and love had been my anchor through the turbulent times. When I lost my mother, he had been there, filling the void with his warmth and kindness. He never once hesitated to be there for me, no matter how difficult things got.

But there was a darkness I kept from him, a burden I refused to share. The extent of our father's abuse was a secret I carried alone. I couldn't bring myself to tell Lucian about the nights I cried myself to sleep or the days when fear was my constant companion. I didn't want him to lose another parent because of me.

Lucian's mother, Emma, had taken her own life when she found out about our father's affair with my mother. It had shattered him, leaving a wound that never truly healed. I couldn't bear the thought of causing him more pain, of being the reason he lost his father too. Even if that father was a monster in disguise.

I had learned to put on a brave face, to hide the bruises and the scars, both physical and emotional. I became adept at masking my pain, at pretending everything was okay. Lucian didn't need to know. He had already lost so much, and I couldn't be the cause of more suffering.

So, I carried the weight alone, finding solace in the small moments of happiness Lucian brought into my life. His laughter, his protectiveness, and his unwavering love were enough to keep me going. I had to protect him, just as he had always protected me.

The thought of him losing another parent, even one as undeserving as our father, was unbearable. So, I stayed silent, enduring the pain and the fear, all for the sake of my brother. Because in the end, his happiness and well-being mattered more to me than anything else in the world.

As I lay there, tears slowly drying on my cheeks, I made a silent promise to myself. I would protect Lucian from the truth, no matter the cost. Because that's what family did. They protected each other, even if it meant carrying the heaviest burdens alone