Chapter 11 Chapter 11 " Ah ! I need to go home , Jonathan , " Laura blurted out suddenly , her eyes darting to her phone again . She stood up quickly , grabbing her things in a flurry of motion . " I have somewhere to go today . " Jonathan blinked , caught off guard . " Wait , already ? " he asked , but before he could say much else , Laura was already halfway to the door . " See you later ! " she called over her shoulder , flashing him a quick smile before rushing outside . Jonathan watched as she waved down a cab , his hand halfway raised in a futile attempt to stop her . As the cab pulled away , Jonathan sat back down , a strange , hollow feeling settling in his chest . The coffee in front of him went untouched , cooling rapidly as he stared at the spot where Laura had been just moments before . Jonathan stabbed his fork into the steak on his plate , the sharp clink of metal on ceramic echoing in the otherwise silent dining room . The atmosphere was intense , as usual , during family dinners - his father at the head of the table , his mother seated next to him , and Tabitha across from Jonathan with her face gleaming in anticipation . The only sound that filled the space was the faint clattering of utensils , the weight of unsaid words pressing on Jonathan's chest . Then , the silence broke . " How was your travel , Nathaniel ? " Mr. Reed's deep voice carried across the table , directed toward his eldest son . Jonathan stiffened , keeping his gaze focused on his plate . Of course , he thought bitterly . The golden child . Nathaniel who was ever composed , slowly set down his utensils and dabbed his mouth with a napkin , his expression soft and refined . " It was good , dad . I've been excited to finally be home. " His voice was smooth , calm , everything Jonathan's wasn't . Tabitha , always eager for attention , grinned and chimed in . " Did you get me souvenirs , brother ? " she asked , her tone playful , full of the spoiled innocence she could afford as the youngest . Nathaniel chuckled , his perfect older brother charm never wavering . " I could never forget you , Tabitha . " His gaze then flicked over to Jonathan , his smile steady but more cautious . " You too , little brother . Jonathan's jaw clenched . He could feel all eyes shift to him , but he didn't lift his head . He just stabbed at his food harder . " Why did you come here , really ? " Jonathan's voice came out sharper than he intended , slicing through the polite atmosphere like a blade . His question caught everyone off guard , especially Nathaniel . Jonathan finally looked up , meeting his brother's eyes with a cold glare . " Did you come back to take over dad's company ? I thought you weren't interested in Dad's wealth . " The room tensed immediately , Tabitha's smile fading as Mrs. Reed glanced nervously at her husband . Mr. Reed instantly shot a warning look in Jonathan's direction , his voice barely contained . " Jonathan . " But Nathaniel , ever the saint , raised his hand with his smile unwavering . " It's okay , dad . " He looked at Jonathan with an almost pitying expression . " I'm not planning to take over the company . We already talked about it . " His eyes softened as he spoke . " I want you to handle it , little brother . After all , I'm getting married soon . I have other responsibilities to take care of . " At his words , a stunned silence immediately filled the room . " Married ?! " Tabitha exclaimed , her excitement returning in full force . " To who ?! Why didn't you tell us sooner ? " Her voice was eager , her eyes shining with curiosity . Chapter 1 +25 BONUS Mrs. Reed , too , looked stunned but quickly beamed with pride . " Oh , my goodness , Nathaniel . That's wonderful news ! Who's the lucky girl ? " And Mr. Reed , for the first time that night , smiled genuinely , leaning forward . " How did you ? Jonathan felt his stomach twist as Nathaniel paused . His older brother hesitated for a brief second , his gaze flicking toward Jonathan before he spoke . The motion was so small , it was barely noticeable to anyone else , but Jonathan caught it . His grip tightened around his knife . " We met a long time ago , " Nathaniel finally said , his voice laced with warmth . " She wasn't interested in me at first , but her father contacted me and mentioned her . I agreed immediately . She's ... one of a kind . " Nathaniel's words hung in the air , filled with affection , but Jonathan kept his focus on his plate , his stomach churning . Of course , he thought bitterly . Nathaniel comes back and everything revolves around him . Again . He could feel the weight of his family's admiration directed entirely at Nathaniel - the golden son , the successful one , the one who always made them proud . Meanwhile , Jonathan was just ... there , a shadow that never quite measured up . As his family marveled over Nathaniel's engagement and bombarded him with questions , Jonathan's thoughts began to drift . No matter what he did , he could never escape his brother's shadow . His knuckles whitened as he gripped his fork , the sound of his family's happy chatter fading into the background . All Jonathan could hear was the pounding of his own heart . Mrs. Reed leaned forward as a proud smile spread across her face , her eyes gleaming with excitement as she absorbed Nathaniel's news . " Why didn't you tell us sooner ? " she asked , her voice brimming with pride and joy . It was clear that the idea of her eldest son finally bringing home a daughter - in - law filled her with deep satisfaction . Nathaniel smiled warmly at her , a hint of apology in his expression . " That's why I flew here , mom . I wanted to tell you in person . " He paused , glancing at the faces around the table . " I need your help with the arrangements . I'll be announcing our engagement in two days , and I thought we could have a humble party to celebrate . " The table buzzed with excitement . Mrs. Reed clasped her hands together , practically glowing with pride . Mr. Reed's face softened into a pleased smile , clearly happy with the news . Tabitha , of course , couldn't contain her excitement and immediately began peppering Nathaniel with questions about the party and his fiancée . But Jonathan sat in silence , his jaw tightening as he absorbed his brother's words . Two days ... He could feel his chest tightening again . So this is why he came back . His mind raced with thoughts of the impending engagement , and the attention Nathaniel would continue to steal . He forced himself to keep calm , even as the weight of his brother's presence pressed down on him more than ever . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!