The Son They Never Wanted Became the One They Needed Chapter 01

The Son They Never Wanted Became the One They Needed Chapter 01

After the SAT scores came out, Mom said it was time to take a family portrait.

She wanted to hang it in the living room as a keepsake.

The studio lights were already set.

Natalie Brooks, the photographer—and my childhood friend—smiled brightly as she directed everyone into place.

“Okay, grandparents in the middle. The two boys on either side,”

I had just started walking toward my younger brother when my sister Vanessa suddenly stepped in front of me and nudged me half a step aside.

“Ethan, move over a little. Logan got a new suit today. He should be in the center.”

Mom nodded in agreement.

“She’s right. Logan looks better in the middle. We’re enlarging this one, after all.”

Logan was already standing in the center, straightening his tie with a dazzling smile.

I was squeezed all the way to the far left, practically hanging out of the frame.

The makeup artist looked awkwardly at Natalie.

“Ms. Brooks, should the boy on the left move in a little?”

Natalie waved her hand dismissively.

“No, no. He’s fine there. As long as his face shows, it’s okay.”

I stood there, staring at the monitor.

Half my face was swallowed by the shadows cast by the studio lights.

That was when it hit me.

There hadn’t been a place for me in this family for a long time.

If that was the case,

Then I didn’t need to leave a place for them in my future either.

……

When it was time to choose the photos, Mom and my sister crowded in front of the computer, admiring every shot of Logan.

The moment a picture of me appeared, my sister didn’t even bother enlarging the preview.

She clicked Delete.

I pointed at one of my portraits sitting in the recycle folder and said quietly,

“Can we keep this one? I need it for my school ID.”

She permanently deleted it without hesitation.

“Didn’t you already take an ID photo when you started high school? Just use that.”

Mom nodded right away.

“We only get so many retouched photos. Logan still needs three more to complete his personal album. Don’t take up a spot.”

Natalie picked up her camera again and adjusted Logan’s pose.

“You need a school ID photo too, right, Logan? Come on. I’ll take your best one.”

Logan glanced at me and smiled.

“Maybe you should take one for Ethan instead. He looks like he’s about to cry.”

Natalie didn’t even look up as she adjusted the focus ring.

“He’s not photogenic. It’d just be a waste.”

I froze.

Three years ago, when she’d just started learning photography, she always asked me to model for her.

I’d cover my face and laugh awkwardly.

“Go photograph Logan instead. I’m not photogenic.”

She’d smile, ruffle my hair, and say softly,

“There’s no such thing as someone who’s not photogenic.”

“There are only photographers who don’t know how to find beauty.”

“In my viewfinder, you’re my favorite muse.”

She used to show me every single photo she’d taken.

In the backlit shots, my profile seemed outlined in gold.

I couldn’t stop staring at them.

But somewhere along the way…

Her camera started pointing at Logan more and more often.

And now, all that was left for me was one sentence.

It’d just be a waste.

“Ethan… that’s not what I meant.”

Natalie seemed to realize too late how harsh she’d sounded.

“I just meant… Logan has better camera presence.”

Vanessa let out a snort.

“Well, obviously. Logan can take a random picture and use it as his profile photo.”

“Ethan Carter could dress up all he wants, and he’d still just be trying too hard.”

I’d heard words like that my entire life.

Logan and I were fraternal twins.

I was born first.

But somehow, I inherited almost every flaw in our parents’ looks.

Small eyes.

Dark skin.

Not tall enough.

Logan, on the other hand, had won the genetic lottery.

He was so good-looking it felt like we didn’t even belong in the same family.

Every holiday gathering, Mom loved taking him out to visit relatives.

I stayed home to watch the house.

Whenever she bought clothes, she’d carefully pick styles and cuts that suited Logan.

When it came to me, she’d grab whatever happened to be nearby.

Even the Family Heirloom Pendant Grandma had given me.

Mom took it away because, according to her, “Jade doesn’t look good on dark skin.”

Then she had Logan’s name engraved on it instead.

I didn’t say another word.

I walked into the photo studio next door and had a new school ID photo taken.

When I came back outside, Mom had bought two fresh fruit cups.

Both were filled with Logan’s favorites—mangoes and strawberries.

Wearing disposable gloves, she peeled the strawberries one by one and fed them to him.

“Your performing arts conservatory cares a lot about appearance,” she said warmly.

“Enjoy whatever you want before school starts. Mom will buy it for you.”

My sister took Logan’s backpack while scrolling through recipe videos on her phone.

“You said you wanted strawberry pie, right? I’ll figure out a low-sugar version in the next couple of days.”

Natalie smiled and handed Logan a pack of wet wipes.

“I bought tickets to Disneyland for three days from now. Want to go together?”

Logan chewed on a strawberry before mumbling,

“Did you get one for Ethan too?”

Natalie froze for a second before hurriedly pulling out her phone.

“I’ll book his ticket right now.”

“No need. I’m leaving for Ashford City in three days.”

Before I could finish, Mom shoved Logan’s half-finished fruit cup into my hands.

“You eat the rest. Don’t let it go to waste.”

Then she turned to Natalie.

“Ethan doesn’t like Disneyland. He says it’s too noisy. You don’t need to buy him a ticket.”

With that, she took Logan’s hand and walked away.

My sister followed behind them carrying his backpack.

Natalie walked beside them, holding an umbrella over Logan.

From behind.

They looked exactly like one happy family.