Wind and Moon Are Different
Chapter 1
Eighteen years old, my mom remarried. My stepfather had a son.
I fell for him.
I followed him for five years. He’d just frown and coldly yell, “Lily, I’m your brother.”
I thought he minded our relationship.
Then, his sister came back. Within three months, he was showering her with affection, proposing marriage.
I finally understood. It wasn’t about our relationship; it was about love, or lack thereof.
I gave up.
1
Lying on the cold table, the tattoo artist was still trying to talk me out of it.
“Honey, this tattoo is right on your collarbone. Are you sure about this?”
I nodded silently, eyes closed.
I’d gotten it to prove my love to Alex. His name, boldly inked on my collarbone. A blatant declaration.
Now, it seemed pathetically naive.
The laser felt like hell, but nothing compared to hearing about Alex and Chloe’s wedding.
After the removal, I wore a turtleneck, hiding the raw skin.
Back home, Alex was planning the wedding with Chloe.
I swallowed the bitterness, avoiding them.
But Chloe’s sweet voice stopped me.
“Sis, Alex and I are getting married next weekend. Will you be my bridesmaid?”
Her eyes gleamed with triumph.
I shook my head. “No, I have plans.”
Chloe’s eyes dimmed. “Sis, I just wanted you to share my happiness. Why won’t you even do this?”
Alex rubbed her head, noticing my turtleneck. His eyes flickered, then he sneered.
“Smart girl. Finally hiding that embarrassing tattoo.”
Then, in a commanding voice, “As Chloe’s sister, being her bridesmaid is expected. It’ll keep your pathetic obsession in check.”
I felt rooted to the spot. I stared at Alex.
Usually, I’d obey him.
Not this time.
I repeated, “I have plans.”
Alex scoffed. “Plans? Five years of trailing me, and you have plans?”
Five years wasted.
But this time, I did. My study abroad program started the day of their wedding.
The words caught in my throat.
Even if he was cold, he was still responsible.
He wouldn’t approve.
I nodded. “I’ll be there. But choose another bridesmaid.”
2
I turned to go upstairs.
Alex stopped me again. His voice was flat, emotionless. “Since we’re getting married, clear out your room. It’ll be our new bedroom. You can take the west room downstairs.”
My hand froze on the banister.
My skin reacted badly to dampness. I’d get rashes.
Alex knew this, so he gave me his sunny room. I’d lived there since eighteen.
Time to give it back.
I nodded.
“Okay.”
I ignored his stunned look and started packing.
The room was filled with photos of Alex and me.
I’d believed he’d see my devotion.
Now, I just chuckled wryly.
Chloe walked in. She sat on the bed, picking up a photo. My eyes fell on her necklace – a “love” charm.
I’d wanted that necklace so badly. It symbolized true love.
I’d begged Alex to buy it, but he refused.
Chloe gasped, pulling out a thick stack of letters.
Before I could stop her, Alex entered.
Chloe ran to Alex, tossing the letters onto the floor. “Alex, look! Someone’s still writing you love letters.”
Alex didn’t look. His eyes were on me, full of disgust.
“Lily, can’t you just give it up? This is embarrassing. I don’t want to see this stuff again.”
I felt like I’d been stripped bare and thrown into a cold shower. I trembled.
I could only stammer an apology.
Until he left.
I picked up the letters, my past devotion.
Now…
I shook my head. I tossed them, along with the photos, into the trash.
Alex, don’t worry.
I’m really over you.
3
Days later, holding my passport, I cried.
Five more days.
My phone rang. Alex’s brother. Panicked.
“Lily, come quick! Alex’s drunk and wants to drive. We can’t stop him.”
Without thinking, I sped to the party.
I pushed the door open to laughter.
“Way to go, Alex! One call and she’s here.”
I understood the setup.
I turned to leave, but Alex’s brother grabbed my wrist.
His eyes leered at me.
“Hey, pretty girl. Why focus on Alex? Look at me.”
His hand moved towards me, but Alex stopped him.
His face was furious. “She’s my sister. Back off.”
I saw the Alex who used to protect me.
The man grumbled, “She’s old enough.”
Chloe stepped forward, taking Alex’s hand. “She’s my sister, and she needs a boyfriend. She shouldn’t focus on what she shouldn’t.”
She looked pointedly at me.
Alex glanced at me, conflicted, but let go.
Chloe pulled him aside.
The man’s hand touched my waist. “Your brother’s not stopping me now.”
But my eyes were fixed on Alex.
In the smoke, I couldn’t see his face. My blood ran cold.
I could no longer see the boy who’d protected me.
His hand reached again.
I grabbed a bottle and smashed it over his head.
The bottle shattered, cutting my face.
Alex emerged from the shadows, frowning at the mess. His gaze fell on my face. “Lily, this is excessive.”
Never had I imagined the boy who protected me would stand against me.
I laughed, tears streaming down my face.
“What do you want from me?”
I smashed the bottle on my own head, blood pouring down my face. I laughed coldly at Alex.
“Is this better? My dear brother?”
I used to refuse to call him brother.
But now, covered in blood, I called him brother without hesitation.
Alex’s heart clenched.
He tried to speak, but I lost consciousness.
I woke up in the hospital.
Alex was there, holding a bowl of congee, sighing with concern.
“Lily, I didn’t mean it. Promise you won’t be so reckless.”
His tone was gentle, like when he rescued me in the bathroom.
He looked at me that way then, too. “Lily, if anyone bullies you, tell your brother. I’ll get revenge for you. No one can hurt my sister.”
I stared at him, drinking the cold congee.
My heart beat again.
4
The day before my departure, my wounds were healing.
Alex didn’t come.
Chloe did.
She leaned against the door, eyes mocking.
“My dear sister, you’re quite resourceful.”
I ignored her.
I hated her.
After my parents’ divorce, Mom wanted to take her, but Chloe refused a life without stability.
Then, at school, she spread rumors, isolating and bullying me.
She gave my address to my father, forcing us to move.
After Mom remarried and got pregnant, Chloe told my father, leading to Mom’s death.
Chloe clapped. Men from the bar walked in.
“Sis, enjoy your present.”
They pinned me down. “You little bitch, acting all high and mighty.”
I struggled. As one of them tried to tear my clothes, I broke free and ran.
Gasping, I saw Chloe at the bottom of the stairs. My rage exploded.
I grabbed her collar. “Why?”
She laughed cruelly, then stumbled down the stairs.
Looking at Alex’s furious eyes, I understood her plan.
She clutched her leg, tears streaming down her face.
“Sister, I know you like Alex, but we’re in love! I can’t give him up. Why did you do this to me? My leg hurts so much!”
Alex rushed to her side.
“Lily, I underestimated you.”
His rage threatened to consume me. I shook my head, backing away.
“I didn’t do anything.”
Chloe sobbed in Alex’s arms.
“Alex, my leg hurts so much! I don’t want to reject my sister, but I can’t live without you.”
Alex grabbed me by the neck, pushing me to the floor. I shook my head.
“I didn’t do anything.”
Alex ignored me.
He dragged me to Chloe. He held her gently.
“Chloe, how can you forgive her?”
Chloe looked at the necklace around my neck. She smiled.
“If my sister gives me the necklace, I’ll forgive her.”
It was my mother’s only remaining possession. Alex knew that.
I shook my head, backing away, tears falling. “No, Alex. That’s from Mom.”
Alex hesitated, but Chloe cried and clung to him.
“But that was my mom, too. I want her love, too.”
I looked at Chloe’s fake face. “You killed Mom.”
[Slap!]
I covered my face, stunned.
Alex’s eyes were cold.
“Lily, I’ve spoiled you. Give it to her.”
“Otherwise, I’ll consider you dead to me.”
If only you’d believe me.
I laughed bitterly. Fine, then. I don’t need this brother anymore.
It was time to leave.
I got up, and left without looking back.
The next day, I skipped the wedding. I erased my existence from this place.
I left three things in this house where I’d lived for five years.
A USB drive, recording the hospital incident.
A report on my mother’s accident.
And a final farewell.
[Brother, may we never meet again.]
I left, carrying my suitcase, one last look at the house.
Alex, this time, it’s really goodbye.
