The Brother's Oath: Impregnating the Sister-In-Law

Maverick Spencer, my husband's older brother, sacrifices himself just to save my husband from a car accident. In order to repay him for his benevolence, my husband, Mateo Spencer, decides to move his newly widowed sister-in-law, Lily Shepherd, into our home.

Mateo tells me, Maverick died saving me, so I must repay him for his benevolence. He was the most worried about Lily when he still drew breath. In order to fulfill his death wish, I must let Lily stay with us.

Lily's biggest wish is to have a child of her own. I have no choice but to sleep with her. It's to repay Maverick, you see. Don't worry, Phoebe. Once she gets pregnant, I won't touch her ever again. You're the only woman for me."

But since then, Mateo pays more and more attention to Lily. At the same time, he spends less time with me. When I notice the way he looks at me icily, I feel my love for him starting to get snuffed out.

The day Lily finds out that she's pregnant is the day Mateo puts half of the Spencer family's assets under her name. Even the token of love Mateo has given to me on our wedding can be seen adorning Lily's finger.

At that moment, I know that it's time for me to leave.

Chapter 1

Phoebe's Point-of-View

Mateo Spencer, my husband, had impregnated Lily Shepherd, his sister-in-law, to repay his late brother, Maverick Spencer. For Lily's sake, he had even ruthlessly driven me away.

He later found out about my plane crash and lost his mind, searching for me in a fit of desperation.

Lily held her hand up to the light, admiring the massive oval diamond ring from every angle.

When she noticed me watching, she flashed a shy, demure smile and leaned into Mateo, asking, "Isn't this the wedding ring you shared with Phoebe, Mateo? It's no wonder Phoebe likes it so much. It looks stunning on me, doesn't it?"

Mateo stroked her hair with open affection. "I'll get you a bigger one if you like it, since you're bearing an heir for the Spencer family. I've also transferred half of the Spencer family's assets to you, Lily."

Lily beamed with joy but quickly masked it with a look of hesitation, feigning reluctance. "I can't do that, Mateo. I'm sure half of the Spencer family's fortunes belong to Phoebe. It wouldn't be right for me to take that for myself, Mateo."

Only then did Mateo realize I was standing beside them. He gently let go of Lily and walked over to me, a smear of Lily's lipstick still staining his neck like a brand.

"You know as well as I do," he said calmly. "If it hadn't been for Maverick, I would've been the one who died in that car crash, Phoebe. I think it's only right for Lily to get her share of the assets. You're not going to make a scene about it, are you, Phoebe?"

I remained silent, knowing fully well that even if I spoke up, they would still go ahead with transferring the assetsand likely accuse me of being ungrateful. It seemed like they had forgotten that more than half of the marital assets I shared with Mateo had actually come from my own family.

Lily, seeing my silence, flashed a disingenuous smile. "I already told him I didn't want it, but Mateo insisted, and I couldn't refuse, Phoebe. I only made a casual comment about how beautiful the ring was, and he insisted I wear it. I'll take it off now, so please don't be upset."

She made a show of slipping the ring off while saying, in a voice dripping with provocation, "You've really lucked out to have married such a wonderful husband, Phoebe. Mateo is such a thoughtful and attentive man."

I scoffed inwardly.

Mateo had always maintained the reputation of a devoted and considerate man, a model of what a husband should be. Yet this "paragon of virtue" had impregnated his own sister-in-law.

Lily tugged at the wedding ring several times, her efforts only succeeding in making her finger red and swollen. She choked back a sob, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I can't take this off, and it hurts so much, Mateo."

Mateo immediately stopped her. "You don't have to take it off if you can't. You can even keep it if you like it so much. I'm sure Phoebe won't have a problem with that, Lily."

He then turned to me and said, "You should just let Lily keep the ring, especially since she's pregnant and shouldn't get upset. I'll make it up to you and buy you a new one some other time, Phoebe."

I looked at him with bloodshot eyes and said, "You know as well as I do that that's our wedding ring, Mateo."

It was then that Olivia Howard, my mother-in-law, stepped forward to chime in with disdain. "If you're so dissatisfied, then you should bear an heir for the Spencer family, Phoebe Duncan! You've been married for three years, yet you've never once been pregnant!

"Lily, on the other hand, is the capable one here. She's the one saving the Spencer name from becoming a public embarrassment! She rightfully earned both the assets and the ring Mateo gave her!"

Mateo stepped forward as well, trying to comfort me. "I owe Lily and feel very guilty toward her. I'm the one who made her a widow, so this is the least I can do for her, Phoebe. You've always been so understanding. Don't make a fuss over a simple ring and hand it over to Lily."

Olivia continued to rattle on. "How dare you insist on keeping the ring when you can't even bear a child for the Spencer family? You're an embarrassment to the Spencers, Phoebe!"

It was a classic "good cop, bad cop" routine. Olivia played the villain while Mateo played the peacemaker, but beneath the theatrics, their goal was identicalthey both wanted me to surrender.

I stared at the ring. It was the very same one Mateo had slid onto my finger with his own hands on our wedding day. I remembered him kneeling before me, swearing to love only me for the rest of his life.

I even remembered him telling me that there was only one ring like it in the world, representing a love that was one of a kind.

Yet, that token of true love was now adorning Lily's finger.

I fixed my gaze on the wedding ring, noting that its cold radiance no longer looked beautiful; it only served to mock me, the glare stinging my eyes.

I suppressed the ache in my chest and managed to pull off a fake smile. "I don't mind at all. It is Mateo's gesture of affection toward you, after all. And since you've also done your part of bearing an heir for the Spencer family, the ring naturally belongs to you, Lily."

Olivia's frown instantly eased. Mateo, however, felt anything but relieved.

He understood the weight of that ring better than anyone, after all. He had expected me to make a sceneto throw a tantrum and beg him not to give our token of love to someone elseonly for me to remain composed throughout.

He thought that my calm acceptance was so out of character that it actually made him feel uncomfortable.

That evening, Mateo did something he rarely didhe sought me out in the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, his lips grazing the sensitive skin behind my ear.

"I know I've been neglecting you lately since I've been so preoccupied with Lily's situation. Now that she's pregnant, I've done my duty. I can properly spend time with you from now on, Phoebe."

I continued with my work without stopping and ignored him entirely. I knew what was going on when he didn't even bother to hide the lipstick stain on his neck.

I didn't feel loved being held by a man like that. It just made my skin crawl.

Chapter 2

Suddenly, the sharp crash of shattering glass echoed from the living room, followed instantly by Lily's piercing cry. "Help me! I'm in so much pain, Mateo!"

Mateo shoved me aside without a second thought and bolted into the living room.

I slammed into the stove. My arm struck the searing hot lid of the pot, leaving a red, burned patch, while my hair caught fire. I panicked as I endured the pain and rushed to the sink to extinguish the flames, though the ends of my hair were still badly singed.

Mateo's concern was reserved entirely for Lily. He grew frantic at the sight of her on the floor with a small gash from the broken glass on her finger. He gathered the sobbing Lily into his arms and rushed her to the car.

"How did this happen? Hang in there, Lily. I'll get you to the hospital right away!"

I examined the burn on my arm and went to the bedroom to grab some ointment. I looked up at the mirror and saw my hair, uneven and ragged. I couldn't even recall the last time I had properly looked at myself in the mirror. I noticed that my skin looked dull, while my eyes were empty and lifeless.

I was nothing compared to the young, beautiful Lily. It was no wonder Mateo had grown tired of me.

I let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh, picked up the scissors from the drawer, and snipped off the scorched ends of my hair.

I took a cab to the hospital, knowing full well that if I didn't, I would face more cruel remarks tomorrow. I had just arrived when I saw Lily sitting on the hospital bed, sobbing quietly. "I'm so sorry, Mateo. I didn't mean to break the cup. I went to pick up the pieces, but the blood made me dizzy, and I fell.

"I know I shouldn't be a burden to you now that I'm pregnant, but the thought of you with another woman hurts so much. I wasn't paying attention because of that, which caused me to break the cup."

Lily's heartbreaking sobs shattered the last of Mateo's composure. He gathered her into his arms, tucking her head under his chin in an act of pure devotion. "I know. I don't blame you for any of it, Lily."

Lily's tears continued to flow, her voice trembling with a delicate, heartbreaking vulnerability. "I know Phoebe is your wife, but I just can't stop myself from feeling this way, Mateo. I'll behave and keep my distance from you from now on. Just please don't ignore me."

Mateo pulled her closer, tenderly brushing away her tears. "You're being silly, Lily. You're carrying my baby, so you're definitely the most important person in my life. How could I possibly ignore you?

"Phoebe is far too stubborn and rigid; she's nothing like youso sweet and thoughtful. You're better than her, Lily."

Lily pursed her lips and muttered, "But earlier, I heard you say that you're done with me now that I'm pregnant."

Mateo chuckled and explained, "You know what Phoebe's temper is like. If I hadn't said that, she would surely have made a scene and might even have tried to hurt you or the baby. I only lied to her to keep her under control. How could I ever bear to leave you all alone, Lily?"

Lily flashed a bashful smile. "Then you have to promise me that you'll spend every night with me from now on, Mateo. You're not allowed to touch Phoebe anymore, as I'm the only one allowed to bear your children."

Mateo agreed to her request with a smile.

I listened to everything they said from outside the door, clenching my fists and leaving silently.

As I walked out of the hospital into the heavy traffic of the city streets, a crushing realization hit me. In a city this vast, I didn't have a single place to call home.

Mateo and I attended the same university. He spent three years pursuing me, but back then, I was entirely focused on my studies and had no intention of dating. He would give me gifts during every special occasion, but I would return them without fail every single time.

After graduation, Dad arranged a marriage for me with the heir of a major public corporation. Mateo, desperate at the news, journeyed across the country to find me.

That night, as the snow fell relentlessly, he remained on his knees outside my house for 24 hours. He pleaded for a chance, swearing to love me eternally and promising that his devotion to my happiness would never waver.

I was so deeply moved by his gesture that I ignored Dad's objections and chose to go with him, never once looking back.

Dad eventually yielded to my persistence and gave us his blessing. With Dad's investment and help, Mateo quickly established a company of his own, and his career soared.

Mateo and I also got married during this time. He kneeled on one knee during our wedding and vowed to love only me for the rest of his life.

"I owe everything I am to you, Phoebe," he said. "I swear I will never let you down and be yours eternally, whether in wealth or poverty, health or strife."

I wept with joy that day, truly believing I had found my "happily ever after", but fairy tales didn't last.

Less than three years after our marriage, Mateo had gotten another woman pregnant.

If his heart belonged to someone else now, I was more than happy to let her have him. I was done with a man so utterly repulsive.

After messaging Dad, I booked a one-way ticket abroad. I then stayed awake all night, perched on the side of the bed, waiting for the sun to rise on a new chapter of my life.

Chapter 3

I still got up early and prepared breakfast for the family.

At the dining table, Olivia said, "Lily is pregnant with a Spencer heir, Mateo. You should give her that villa you prepared for Phoebe, since it's bad for a pregnant woman to stay in such a humid house. Let Lily stay there for the time being for the sake of the baby."

During our second year of marriage, Mateo had bought a piece of land in the suburbs to build a villa for me. It was supposed to be our private getawaya home that was supposed to be ours alone.

It had just been renovated not long ago, yet the first person to move in wasn't me.

Mateo tried to reason with me and said, "Lily is expecting. You should let her move in and stay there for a while, Phoebe. Don't worry, the villa will still belong to you once the baby is born."

Feigning consideration, Lily chimed in, "It's alright, Mateo. It doesn't matter where I stay, as I can endure the humidity; I'll only be making my unborn child suffer with me. Besides, Phoebe is your wife."

Her eyes quickly welled up with unshed tears. She brushed them away and continued with a sob, "I'm just so unlucky. If Maverick hadn't passed away so early, I'd have my own home, and I wouldn't be bothering you guys. I'm the one to blame for all of this."

Mateo's guilt surged upon hearing Maverick's name. He grabbed Lily's hand and said solemnly, "I won't let you be mistreated, Lily. I paid for that villa, so I'm the one who gets to decide who lives in it. I'll even let you move in tomorrow! Let's see who dares to stand in your way!"

Lily sniffled. "It's a newly renovated place, so the formaldehyde might be too strong. I'm just worried that the baby will be affected."

"I hadn't thought of that," Mateo muttered, his brow furrowing in frustration.

"Isn't the solution obvious?" Olivia interjected. "Let Phoebe move in and stay there for a few days. Once the formaldehyde has mostly dissipated, Lily can move in safely."

Mateo looked torn, his conscience clearly putting up a faint, final struggle. He, however, folded the moment he met Olivia's unyielding gaze.

I remained silent as they bartered away my safety. It never even crossed their minds whether I would be harmed by the formaldehyde or whether I would suffer once I moved into the newly renovated villa.

Mateo turned to me and said, "You should move into the villa and stay for a few days first, Phoebe. You're not pregnant, so you don't need to worry about the formaldehyde. Lily can move in once the place is aired out."

I tightened my hold on my cutlery and rose from the table. "I'm fine with that. I'll even move out today."

Mateo froze for a moment. "You don't have to be in such a hu"

"Then thank you, Phoebe," Lily cut him off. "I was so worried that the formaldehyde would harm my baby. It's such a relief to have you there to 'breathe' it all in for me. Once the baby is born, I'll make sure it recognizes you as its godmother."

Olivia beamed, her voice dripping with malice. "You should be thanking Lily instead, Phoebe! After all, if it weren't for her, you'd never have a child in your life! "

I left halfway through the meal and went back to my bedroom to pack. I took only the things that belonged to me, leaving behind every single item that didn't.

Mateo came to see me before I left. He looked rather troubled, saying, "I'm sorry for putting you through this, Phoebe."

I didn't feel aggrieved in the slightest, knowing that my release was finally within reach. I packed my luggage, turned to him with an empty gaze, and said indifferently, "I want a divorce, Mateo."

Mateo froze, his expression shifting rapidly from shock to a simmering rage. "How could you bring up divorce just because I asked you to move out for a while, Phoebe? Have you forgotten why Lily became alone and helpless? I owe her for this!"

I knew he owed her, yet I was the one paying the price for his guilt. I didn't say it out loud, though, since I knew it would all be over soon.

Chapter 4

Once I moved out, Lily became even more unrestrained. She insisted that Mateo stay by her side at all times, forbidding him from seeing me.

I didn't mind. Being alone meant fewer things to worry about. It was just that the villa was newly renovated, so the sharp, biting scent of paint gave me a constant migraine.

Mateo unexpectedly appeared as my departure date drew near. He looked at me with a remorseful expression. "I know you've suffered lately, so as an apology, I've booked us a trip to the beach. I want us to have some quality time together, just the two of us, Phoebe."

He had just said that when his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen, and the mask of guilt immediately shattered, replaced by a smile of genuine, tender affection. He answered the phone and said, "Got it, Lily. I'll head back this instant."

He had just stepped out of the door when he suddenly recalled our supposed trip. He looked slightly sheepish as he said, "You'll have to go to the beach alone this time since Lily wants to go shopping today. I'll go with you next time, Phoebe."

"Alright," I whispered as the last of my affection for him withered away.

It didn't matter to me at that point, as I knew that there would never be a "next time".

Third-Person Point-of-View

It was several days later, and Mateo noticed that Phoebe still hadn't come home. He also realized that she wasn't answering any of his calls. For the first time, a flicker of genuine concern started to gnaw at him.

Olivia was visibly displeased. "How could a grown adult like her forget to return home after having some fun outside? That irresponsible woman could never fulfill the duties of a daughter-in-law. Not that it matters, since she can't even bear a child anyway."

She then turned to Lily, her voice dripping with affection. "You're the most sensible one here for bearing an heir for the Spencer family. You should continue to bear children for us and help the Spencer family thrive in the future, Lily."

Lily giggled and said, "You can rest assured that I'll keep the grandchildren coming year after year for you as long as my body allows it, Olivia."

Mateo remained uneasy. He noticed that none of the messages he sent Phoebe had been replied to, and a sense of foreboding crept into his heart. It wasn't like Phoebe to stay away this long.

He drove to the suburban villa. Once he stepped inside, he found that all of Phoebe's belongings were gone, which he found rather odd. It seemed rather unnecessary for someone to pack so much for a short trip.

Lily followed him in, covering her face with her hand to shield herself from the paint fumes. "Do you think Phoebe is refusing to come home because she's jealous that I'm the one carrying your child, Mateo?"

Mateo, filled with doubt, suddenly spotted the handbag Lily was carrying. He recognized it instantly. It was Phoebe's birthday present from the previous year. She was practically inseparable from that handbag, yet this time, she had pointedly left it behind.

He pointed at the handbag and asked, "Where did you get that? That belongs to Phoebe."

Lily lifted the handbag and looked at it before replying, "Phoebe left a whole wardrobe full of handbags behind when she moved out."

Mateo, for some reason, felt an inexplicable sense of unease rising within him, his doubts intensifying. He took out his phone to call Phoebe again, only to see a news alert in his notifications.

"Flight C200 Crashes with Zero Survivors."

He suddenly felt a sharp pang of dread seize his chest. That was the exact flight Phoebe was supposed to take for her return trip.