Captive

Chapter 31

Torn Loyalties

Jeff sat by the window, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. He knew his family had always maintained close ties with the Massimo family, but this was different. His father had started pushing for a deeper connection, one that Jeff couldn’t stomach—an arranged marriage between him and Matteo, Massimo's younger brother. It wasn’t just twisted, it was cruel, because Jeff knew Matteo had been in a relationship with his brother, Mile, for years.

Matteo was someone Jeff had always respected—a kind, caring man who had stood by Mile even when things got hard. Jeff had secretly supported their relationship, quietly rooting for them to overcome their family’s pressure. But now it seemed like his silence had backfired. His family’s decision to tie him to Matteo wasn’t just about politics; it was about tearing apart the love between Matteo and Mile.

The air in the house was tense. Jeff’s parents had called for a family meeting in the next room, talking in low, serious voices about the “opportunity” this marriage would bring. Jeff’s stomach churned as he overheard his father say, “It’s the right move. We can’t ignore the Massimos family. The union would secure our future.”

But Jeff didn’t want a future tied to Matteo like this. He didn’t want to betray his brother by becoming involved with the man Mile had loved. And even worse, his brother had already broken up with Matteo, sacrificing his own happiness because of their family’s pressure. He had watched Mile become sadder, more distant, ever since the breakup.

Jeff clenched his fists, guilt weighing heavy on his heart. He could still see the heartbreak in Mile’s eyes when he’d ended things with Matteo. His brother had given up the love of his life for the sake of family, and now, they were trying to force Jeff into the very relationship that had destroyed Mile.

As Jeff stood up, ready to face his familyy and speak his mind, he heard his father’s voice again. “We’ll give you time to get to know each other, Jeff. We’re not forcing you to marry right away, but once you meet Matteo, you’ll change your mind.”

Jeff gritted his teeth, knowing that wasn’t true. He didn’t need time to know his mind—he already knew he couldn’t marry Matteo. Not after everything.

Jeff’s mind spun with confusion and dread. There was someone else—someone who occupied his thoughts in the quiet moments, someone who made him feel things nobody never could. Yet, he knew there was no way anyone in his family would support him. They had made their decision, and now they expected him to fall in line, just as Mile had.

The memory of his brother’s quiet sadness was like a thorn in Jeff’s chest. He had seen it in Mile’s eyes the day he broke up with Matteo. A once-strong bond had been severed, all because their family had decided that Jeff’s future was more important than Mile’s happiness. It didn’t make sense, but it wasn’t something Jeff could ignore anymore.

He found Mile in the kitchen, sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee, staring into the distance. Jeff hesitated before walking in, sitting beside him. The silence between them was thick, but Jeff couldn’t hold back his question any longer.

“Why did you do it, Mile?” Jeff’s voice was raw, filled with frustration and pain. “Why couldn’t you fight for him? Why did you just let it go?”

Mile’s gaze dropped to his coffee, and he sighed heavily, the weight of the situation pressing down on his shoulders. “It wasn’t that easy, Jeff. It never is.”

“Not easy? You loved him! Why didn’t you push back? Why didn’t you tell them no?”

Mile remained quiet for a long moment, and when he finally spoke, his voice was soft but filled with sadness. “Because... your happiness means more to me than mine.”

Jeff froze, his breath catching. He hadn’t expected that. He hadn’t thought that his brother would have given up Matteo for him. “What do you mean?”

Mile turned to look at him, a small, sad smile on his lips. “I saw how our family was pushing for you and Matteo. I could’ve fought, but what would that have done? It would’ve torn us all apart. I didn’t want that for you, Jeff. Matteo’s a good man... he’ll take care of you better than I ever could.”

Jeff shook his head in disbelief, his heart sinking. “But I don’t want Matteo. I never did.”

“I know,” Mile whispered, “but this is the life we live, Jeff. Sometimes we don’t get what we want.”

The words hit Jeff like a punch to the gut. His brother had sacrificed his own happiness, had willingly broken his own heart, all so that Jeff could be placed into a future he didn’t even want. It was devastating, and more than that, it was wrong.

Jeff stood up, his hands trembling. “You shouldn’t have had to do that, Mile. I never asked for this. I don’t want this.”

Mile looked at him, sadness still etched across his face. “I know, but it’s already in motion. Matteo is family now. This... this is what our parents want.”

“But what about what we want?” Jeff’s voice cracked as he spoke, the frustration overwhelming him. “What about what you want?”

Mile didn’t answer, simply reaching over to place a hand on Jeff’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine, Jeff. I always am.”

But Jeff knew that wasn’t true. And as he walked away from his brother, his heart heavy with guilt and confusion, he vowed that he wouldn’t let things continue like this. There had to be a way out of this mess—a way to set things right without sacrificing the people he loved.