My A-List Brother's Taboo Obsession

My brother dominates the Alist. He grinds on set until he drops just to wipe out my massive debt and feed my shopping addiction. Until today.

Bizarre floating comments suddenly hijack my vision: "I hate this toxic stepsister.

He freezes halfnaked in the rain for a shoot, while she chills at home with zero guilt." "She burns cash and hoards a hundred packages a day!

She feels zero pain since she doesn't earn a single dime." "That barely scratches the surface. After he wraps filming, he serves her like a maid.

Exhaustion landed him in the ER two days ago." "He cooks for her with an IV drip literally stuck in his arm because she claims she hates the private chef!" "Thank god his breakthrough approaches.

The female lead steps in soon—sweet, gorgeous, empathetic, and freshly crowned Best Actress. She matches our Best Actor brother perfectly." "Just wait.

Once he meets the female lead, he snaps out of it. The female lead wins easily!" "Then they kick the sister straight to the curb.

Human traffickers snatch her off the streets, sell her deep into the mountains, and turn her into a literal breeding machine!" Panic grips my throat. No freaking way.

I snatch my phone and punch in his number. "Skip the package run today.

I grabbed the swole college guy from next door to help me—" Chapter 1 The hottest superstar of our generation was also the most dutiful, domestic servant twentyfourseven.

His Instagram bio read: "My sister lifted me to the clouds; I will repay her with oceans of gold." I was the one who changed it, of course.

He got endlessly trashed by his obsessive momfans and girlfriendfans for it, so I just used his account to ruthlessly clap back.

His manager didn't dare breathe a word of complaint.

He knew perfectly well that his artist didn't work himself to the bone out of a passion for acting, but purely to make money for me to spend.

He was utterly subservient and unconditionally loyal to me.

If I got annoyed and gave the word for him to quit the industry to sweep streets or deliver takeout, he would do it without a second thought.

The entertainment industry losing Holden would be like Hollywood losing its absolute biggest crown jewel.

The manager would endlessly switch to his alt accounts, begging the raging fans not to piss me off.

If they did, their precious idol might stop being their knight in shining armor and start being a literal delivery guy.

The fans turned a deaf ear and escalated things, even going so far as to splash dirty water on me while I was out shopping. It caused my naturally frail body to catch a severe cold.

When Holden heard the news, he halted production immediately.

He had security drag the attacker directly to the police precinct and took a monthlong leave of absence to care for me at home. He was the male lead of that show.

Without him, production completely stalled out on a tightbudget indie set that couldn't afford a single wasted day of rented location fees.

The frantic director took to social media, practically begging on his knees before furiously posting: "Who provoked his sister again?!" Only then did the fans realize the gravity of the situation.

They reined themselves in, swallowing their bitter resentment no matter how much they hated it. With that power trip, I grew even more arrogant.

I launched an alt account entirely dedicated to flaunting Holden's domestic servitude.

I posted pictures of this tall, gorgeous man kneeling before me with lowered eyes to wash my feet, bending over backward to carry my mountains of packages, and cooking in the kitchen with an IV drip taped to his hand.

Holden wasn't even mad when he found out. He just gently suggested I use a better filter next time. Some fans couldn't take it anymore.

Too scared to attack me in real life again, they flooded my DMs. "Die, you bloodsucking leech." "Stay the hell away from our precious boy." Holden didn't say a single useless word.

He just had his legal team drown them in ceaseanddesist letters, proving exactly how fiercely loyal he was to me. I didn't believe the floating comments for a second.

What the hell was a female lead anyway? I was his sister! We were family! We might not share blood, but we were closer than actual siblings.

People had no idea where Holden even came from.

I protected him like my own flesh and blood back at the orphanage, and the moment I became an adult, I worked myself to death just to afford the fees to officially adopt him!

He might have a hard time making money now, but it wasn't exactly easy for nineteenyearold me either. I was never booksmart, so I didn't even make it into a community college.

I screwed on caps at a factory by day and washed dishes at a diner by night, saving up penny by agonizing penny until I finally qualified to bring thirteenyearold Holden home.

He was so small and skinny back then, constantly bullied at the orphanage.

He was perpetually sick, and because the underfunded facility couldn't afford doctors, he just had to suffer through it.

A vicious fever nearly cost him the hearing in his right ear.

Whenever I had to leave the orphanage, he would cling to my legs and bawl his eyes out, which was exactly why I swore I'd do whatever it took to bring him home.

Chapter 2 Now that our miserable days were finally over and life was good, it was his turn to repay the favor. He was more than happy to do it without a single complaint.

So why the hell were these comments telling me otherwise? The text seemed to sense my doubt and continued to scroll: "Face it, you're the evil side character.

Your sole purpose for existing was to raise the male lead.

Then you turn arrogant, bossy, and completely insufferable, making him despise you more and more so the female lead can smoothly take your place." "Haven't you noticed how he avoids physical contact with you the older he gets?" "That's because he's getting sick of being your dog.

The very thought of touching you makes him want to throw up. He just can't show it yet.

He's working himself to death just to pay off his debt to you as fast as possible so he can have a better future with the female lead." I froze.

Thinking back on it carefully, they were right. When I first brought him home, he was such a lively, cheerful kid.

He used to curl up against my chest to read, his voice sweet as he called me "Sister".

But ever since he became a star, he grew increasingly silent and distant, avoiding any physical touch. These days, aside from washing my feet, he generally kept a wide berth.

No, wait. Even when he washed my feet, he no longer touched my skin directly. He wore waterproof gloves. I hadn't thought much of it at the time, assuming he was just a germaphobe.

But now it all made sense—he found me annoying and didn't want to touch me! Even during meals, he no longer sat beside me. He moved to the opposite end of the table!

Were the comments right? Was his absolute obedience just a way to clear his conscience so he could run off with the female lead guiltfree?

The floating text made too much logical sense, and the facts lined up perfectly. I had to believe it.

If I kept acting like a tyrannical brat, he would inevitably hate me, fall in love with the female lead, and kick me out to be sold into the mountains as a breeding machine!

I stared at my bright, flawless face in the mirror. I was pretty enough to be a star myself. I absolutely refused to waste away in the deep mountains! My phone rang. It was him.

His voice was as cool and magnetic as ever. "Do you have any packages to pick up today?

My scenes ended early, so I can be home in two hours if I catch the express train." Just as I opened my mouth, a new comment appeared: "Stop dreaming about this deep sibling bond!

He's calling you by your full name now, which proves he doesn't even see you as an older sister anymore!" The realization hit me like a truck.

I couldn't even pinpoint when it started, but Holden had entirely stopped calling me "Sister." He just used my name.

When I originally thought he was acting out, he explained that he simply loved the sound of my name and felt it was a shame not to use it. Now I knew it was all lies.

And like an idiot, I had believed every word, genuinely thinking the boy I raised cherished me.

I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat and forced my voice to sound normal. "Oh, yeah, I do.

Could you—" Chapter 3 The comments violently interrupted me. "Why are you still so clueless?

You're actually making him get your packages?" "Do you have any idea how many you ordered the past two days? Two hundred and fifty!

The neighborhood dropoff point is basically your personal warehouse, and the old man recycling the cardboard downstairs just bought a Maybach off you!

Your apartment elevator is broken and you live on the tenth floor. Do you know how many trips he'll have to make?

You're treating him like a nuclearpowered mule." I choked on my words and hastily backpedaled. "N… no need. You've had a long day on set.

I'll get them myself." For some reason, the line went dead silent for a moment. When he finally spoke, his tone was perfectly casual. "Oh.

I can have someone else do it—" Terrified of inconveniencing him and making him hate me even more, I quickly cut him off. "It's fine!

I'll just ask Colton from next door to help." A tenstory stair climb would be his ultimate dream workout. Holden frowned on the other end. "Colton?

The college kid next door?" Completely oblivious to the sudden, dangerous drop in his voice, I nodded as if he could see me. "Yeah, he's super helpful!" I needed him to see my kindness and consideration in not wanting him to overwork.

But I waited for ages and got no response. Frowning, I pulled the phone away and realized he had hung up on me. The floating comments went absolutely wild: "Oh my god, guess what?

The notoriously frugal male lead—the guy who takes cramped Greyhound buses to save a buck—just bought a firstclass flight to get home in thirty minutes!" "Why does it feel like he's rushing back to catch someone cheating?

Is he jealous of Colton? Does he not want him near his sister?" "Wake up, buddy. He hates her guts. Why would he be jealous? He's probably just dropping the act.

Why suffer on a train when he doesn't want to save money for the evil stepsister anymore? Flying is way more comfortable." "Exactly. Don't overthink it.

He belongs to the female lead, and the evil sister belongs to the mountains!" That last line stabbed me right in the chest. Was my tragic ending really set in stone? No!

I absolutely refused to let that happen!

Colton opened his door looking thrilled. "Is it a surprise tanned, athletic gym bro?" His face instantly dropped when he saw me. "Bro, please stop knocking on my door for no reason." I stared at him flatly. "I've got a prime musclebuilding opportunity.

You in?" Colton immediately lit up again. "Say less, bestie. Let's go." Ten minutes later, Colton looked completely dead inside as he hauled boxes up the stairs.

I stood on the sidelines, cheering him on. "Do your legs hurt? Do your arms ache? That pain is just weakness leaving your body!

Grow those muscles!" Colton caught a second wind. "Banish the fatigue! Reclaim your power!" He aggressively stomped up the stairs.

It took him twenty agonizing trips to finish the pile.

I treated him to some protein bars in my living room, dutifully massaging his arms and legs to show my appreciation. "Thanks for the hard work, really…" Right as the words left my mouth, there was a sharp noise outside the door.

Chapter 4 The text popped up right on cue. "What's going on?

He rushed home in a panic, and now he's staring at the two pairs of shoes in the entryway looking like he's about to cry.

His face literally screams 'My sister found another man and doesn't want me anymore.'" "Stop projecting, guys.

He's obviously just exhausted from traveling." Suddenly, the front door flew open. It slammed violently against the wall with a deafening crash before bouncing back.

A towering silhouette stood in the doorway, radiating a suffocating, dark energy. I jumped in my seat, but I didn't dare yell at him for slamming the door like I normally would.

Instead, I was just intensely relieved the boxes were already inside. I forced a bright smile. "Holden! You must be exhausted.

Go take a shower and get some sleep." He didn't move an inch. His eyes were completely locked onto my hands, which were currently massaging Colton's thighs.

Without warning, he lunged forward, grabbed my wrist, and forcefully hauled me up from the floor. I lost my balance and nearly crashed straight into his chest.

The comments exploded: "Holy crap, why is he acting like a dog trying to snatch back a stolen bone? He looks absolutely murderous." "Duh, he's embarrassed by her!

Kneeling on the floor, massaging another guy's legs like a sycophant.

She'll probably throw herself at any guy with a pulse!" I barely managed to steady myself, but Holden refused to let go. His grip only tightened, digging painfully into my skin.

I winced and instinctively tried to jerk my hand away. "Holden, what the hell are you doing?!" Colton immediately jumped to my defense.

He grabbed Holden’s shoulder, his voice dropping into a rare, aggressive straightguy bark. "Hey kid, don't you realize your hands are like literal pliers?

You're crushing her wrist. She's in pain. Back the fuck off!" He finally released my wrist, only to instantly shove Colton with terrifying force.

The gym rat went flying backwards a solid five meters, sliding across the floor until he slammed heavily into the cabinet doors with a loud thud.

Colton sat there looking completely bewildered. He had been lifting heavily for five years, so how did a kid younger than him effortlessly launch him across the room?

He took a bit of a hit to his ego and slumped on the floor, dazed for a long time. I honestly thought Colton had a concussion.

A furious rush of anger flared in my chest, and I instinctively raised my hand to slap Holden across the face. "Who gave you the nerve to—" The words hovered in my vision just in time: "Do it!

Slap him for another man! Watch how much he'll hate you. This evil woman has zero skills besides beating her brother.

My poor baby, getting tortured by her every single day." "If her water was too cold, she'd slap him. If it was too hot, she'd slap him.

If she found cilantro in her food, she'd slap him. His face was so swollen once that he couldn't leave the house and ended up losing a script from a toptier director.

Just wait until the female lead gets her revenge and chops off your wicked hands!" My palm froze mere inches from his cheek.

I flipped him off instead, quickly snatching my hand back before he could process it. The comments just sent question marks. A cold sweat broke out on my back as I read the text.

Had I really been that tyrannical and unreasonable? I definitely couldn't afford to act like that anymore.

My hands were way too pretty, and I planned to get manicures for the rest of my life. I wasn't going to let them get chopped off!

But for some inexplicable reason, Holden just stared down at my lowered hand. A barely noticeable hint of disappointment flashed through his eyes. Chapter 5 "!" I mentally screamed.

What exactly are you disappointed about?! Are you sad you don't have a justifiable excuse to chop my hands off later?!

I quickly hid my hands behind my back and cleared my throat. "Just… be gentler next time.

I know you didn't mean it." Holden's lowered eyes suddenly snapped up, piercing straight through me. "I absolutely meant it.

Who told this homewrecker to dress so scandalously to seduce you?" Colton, who had just snapped out of his daze, instinctively looked down at his incredibly modest, fullycovered athletic tracksuit.

A giant question mark practically materialized above his head. The comments echoed his confusion. "What the hell is bro talking about?" "He's just making excuses to hit him!

He hates his sister so much that he despises anyone associated with her. He just wanted to punch something!" Seeing Colton getting fired up and ready to argue back, I panicked.

There was no way his bulky gymbody could win a real fight against a nearly sixfootthree Holden! I hastily intervened. "Okay, okay, calm down! I apologize on his behalf.

Let's just drop it." Colton looked betrayed. "Bro, I just got assaulted and insulted, and you're forgiving him for me?!" He grabbed his lower back and started marching toward Holden with pure vengeance in his eyes. "I am going to sue your brother until he's bankrupt!" "I'll pay for a sixmonth gym membership," I blurted out.

Colton instantly did a perfectly executed 180degree turn. "Deal." A sickly sweet, sycophantic smile spread across his face. "You promised." I nodded furiously and aggressively signaled for him to leave.

Colton happily backed toward the front door. "Well, it's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest anymore.

Catch you later, bye!" The massive living room fell completely silent, leaving just me and Holden. He instantly reverted to his obedient, quiet self.

He silently walked into the kitchen and quickly emerged with a glass of milk for me.

Terrified of letting him do chores, I grabbed the glass and babbled, "You don't need to pour this for me anymore!

I can do it myself." Holden paused, his expression unreadable, and gave a stiff nod. "Okay." But his hands slowly curled into tight fists at his sides.

I breathed a sigh of relief and took a sip of the milk. I nearly spat it back out. The milk was not warm; instead, it felt like it had just been taken out of the fridge.

A violent shiver ran through my body. What was going on? He definitely knew exactly how I liked it, and serving it icecold was a guaranteed way to piss me off.

I instinctively looked up. I met his dark, unreadable eyes, but for some terrifying reason, I caught a hidden flicker of excitement lurking in his gaze.

It was almost like he was eagerly anticipating something. Before I could question it, the text scrolled by: "Here it comes!

He accidentally messed up the milk temperature and she slapped him three times for it, leaving his face swollen for a whole day." "When the female lead saw it, she was so heartbroken.

She secretly added it to her grudge list against the sister and promised to pay it back tenfold!" So it really was an accident!

I shuddered in horror and completely ignored the freezing temperature, chugging the entire glass of cold milk in a few desperate gulps.

Once I finished, I wiped my mouth and forced a beaming smile. "Ththanks!

It's delicious." The eager anticipation in Holden's eyes died instantly, replaced by a heavy, terrifying darkness.

Chapter 6 Confused, I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it. "It's cold. It's not the perfect 98 degrees you like." My heart dropped. He knew. He absolutely knew!

He really did it on purpose! But the comments said it was an accident… what the hell was going on?! While my brain shortcircuited, the massive man suddenly leaned in.

A faint, suffocating body heat pressed against me, forcing me back against the sofa cushions.

He tilted his head, his voice chillingly dark and dripping with a strange mix of anxiety and resentment. "So… why didn't you hit me?" "!" I mentally screamed