Chapter 375

TIMOTHY POV

Timothy strolled through the bustling streets of downtown, a brown paper bag in hand, the scent of freshly baked donuts wafting through the air. His heart pounded with anticipation as he approached the towering glass building that housed his brother's office.

With a determined stride, Timothy pushed open the heavy glass doors, his eyes scanning the crowded lobby for any sign of his brother. Spotting him across the room, Timothy couldn't help but grin as he watched Andy shuffle through a stack of papers, his brow furrowed in concentration.

As Timothy approached, Andy looked up in surprise, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Tim?" he exclaimed, setting down his papers. "What are you doing here?"

Timothy chuckled, holding up the bag of donuts with a smirk. "I come bearing gifts," he replied, his tone playful. "Thought I'd surprise my big brother with a little treat."

Andy's expression softened, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "I appreciate the gesture, Tim," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "But you know I don't eat fried foods."

Timothy rolled his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, come on, Andy," he teased, nudging his brother playfully. "You can drop the diet for a few minutes, can't you?"

With a resigned sigh, Andy relented, reaching for a donut with a frown. "Fine, but just this once," he muttered, taking a bite with a hint of reluctance.

As they settled down in Andy's office, the atmosphere was tense with unspoken tension, the awkwardness palpable as they exchanged small talk and nibbled on their donuts. Timothy couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he looked at his brother, realizing how strained their relationship had become over the years.

"So, what brings you here, Tim?" Andy finally asked, breaking the silence with a curious glance.

Timothy hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with a million thoughts and emotions. "I wanted to thank you, Andy," he began, his voice soft but sincere. "For everything you've done for me."

Andy raised an eyebrow in surprise, his expression softening with genuine warmth. "Ugh, don’t get all lovey-dovey with me. It’s gross,” he said, though his tone was teasing.

Timothy nodded, a lump forming in his throat as he struggled to find the right words. "I know, but I want you to know how much I appreciate it – how much it means to me."

As he spoke, Timothy felt a flood of memories rushing back – memories of a time when he and Andy had been inseparable, when they had shared everything together. But as they grew older, life had pulled them in different directions, tearing them apart in ways that Timothy had never imagined possible.

"I always looked up to you, Andy," Timothy continued, his voice filled with emotion. "Even if we didn't always see eye to eye. You were always there for me when it mattered most."

Andy's eyes softened with understanding, his gaze filled with empathy. "I know things haven't always been easy between us, Tim," he replied, his voice gentle. "But you're my brother – and nothing will ever change that."

And as they sat there in the quiet solitude of Andy's office, surrounded by the faint scent of donuts and the hum of the city outside, Timothy couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him. Perhaps their relationship wasn't beyond repair – perhaps there was still hope for them yet.

But as he looked at his brother, a sudden thought crossed his mind – a realization that had been gnawing at him for far too long. "Andy, there's something I need to tell you," he began, his voice hesitant.

Andy raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What is it?"

Timothy took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "It's just…I wanted to thank you. For everything.”

Andy lifted an eyebrow. “Er…you’re welcome?”

“I mean it,” Timothy pressed. "After what Mia tried to do to me – and to our dad, you really came through."

Andy's jaw tightened with anger, his fists clenched at his sides. "It was the right thing to do. I wasn’t going to let you go down for that, even if it got me locked up too.”

Timothy nodded, his eyes burning with fury. "But you didn't let things go south, Andy," he continued, his voice filled with pride. "You saw through the lies – you stood up for me when you didn’t have to."

Andy's expression softened, a hint of sadness crossing his features. "I couldn't let her destroy our family, Tim," he replied, his voice tinged with regret. "I had to do something – anything to stop her."

Timothy reached out to place a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder, his gaze filled with gratitude. "And I'm proud of you for that, Andy," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief – knowing that I had you by my side, no matter what."

The air in Andy's office seemed to crackle with tension as Timothy broached the topic that had been weighing heavily on his mind. Andy's brow furrowed as he listened to his brother's words, his expression a mixture of surprise and apprehension.

"Look, Andy," Timothy began, his voice tinged with frustration. "I know things between us haven't always been easy. But Mia's betrayal – it made me realize that life's too short to hold grudges. I don't want to keep living in the past."

Andy's eyes narrowed as he regarded his brother, a hint of skepticism in his gaze. "And what exactly do you propose we do about it, Tim?" he retorted, his tone sharp.

Timothy sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I'm tired of competing with you, Andy," he admitted, his voice tinged with resignation. "I just want things to go back to the way they were – when at least we were okay with each other."

Andy's expression softened, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "I know what you mean," he replied, his tone more subdued. "Our family environment didn't exactly inspire healthy competition."

Timothy let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "You can say that again," he muttered bitterly.

As the silence stretched between them, Timothy could sense that there was something else on Andy's mind – something he was hesitant to express. With a sigh, Timothy decided to take the plunge, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation.

"Listen, Andy," he began, his voice hesitant. "There's something else I wanted to ask you."

Andy raised an eyebrow in curiosity, his gaze fixed on Timothy's face. "What is it, Tim? You can tell me anything."

Timothy took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "I was wondering if you would be my best man," he blurted out, his words rushing out in a sudden torrent.

Andy's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth falling open in disbelief. "Your best man?" he echoed, his voice tinged with incredulity.

Timothy nodded, a flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck. "Yeah, I know it's a lot to ask," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I need someone I can count on there beside me – someone who can push me through."

For a moment, Andy seemed stunned into silence, his mind racing with a million thoughts and emotions. But then, a slow smile spread across his face, his eyes shining with pride.

"I would be honored, Tim," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "But I have to admit, I'm not sure why you chose me of all people."

Timothy returned his brother's smile, a weight lifting from his shoulders at Andy's acceptance. "Because you're my brother," he replied simply. "And there will be free food in it for you.”

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