They Used Me for Seven Years, Then I Cut the Lifeline — Novel

About

In the tangled web of family loyalty and hidden desires, Zenon Lorenger finds himself at a crossroads. After years of sacrifice for his stepbrother Oliver and the ever-demanding Saoirse, Zenon's world shatters when he learns that the child Saoirse carries is not just a new beginning, but a constant reminder of his own perceived inadequacies. As the laughter and celebrations swirl around him, he stands on the brink of a decision that could sever the ties that bind him to a life of obligation and betrayal.

What happens when one's loyalty becomes a burden? As Zenon grapples with feelings of anger and betrayal, he must confront the harsh reality of his marriage and the family he thought he was building. Saoirse seems oblivious to his turmoil, while Oliver's condition complicates every interaction. With each passing day, the weight of their expectations grows heavier, and the façade of a perfect family life begins to crack.

As Zenon considers a drastic escape from his suffocating existence, will he find the strength to reclaim his identity, or will he remain ensnared in their web of manipulation? Secrets linger in the shadows, and the clock is ticking. How far can one man go to reclaim his freedom before it all unravels?

They Used Me for Seven Years, Then I Cut the LifelineChapter 1

My stepbrother, who had been paralyzed for six years, suddenly confessed he had gotten a woman pregnant.

I contacted my secretary to prepare a gift for his future wife, but my father stopped me.

"Zenon, this is also your child!"

Saoirse Lorenger, my wife, stood silently beside her father, tacitly accepting this absurdity.

I got the point.

So, the child in her womb was my stepbrother's.

Seeing me silent, Saoirse stepped forward and separated me from Oliver Lorenger. "Zenon, it was Dad and I who made the decision without consulting you, so don't blame Oliver."

She soothed me with a patronizing tone. "You always refuse to have a child and you know how awful the rumors are about you."

"Oliver is paralyzed and he is your brother. Having a child with him won't shake your status as Saoirse’s husband."

They claimed it was for my own good, yet they acted first and consulted later, never asking my consent.

In their eyes, I would never say no to them.

However, they did not know, the time had come to keep their promise to their mothers—to take care of the Lorenger and Steiner families.

I should go too.

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