As they were about to leave, Ryan spotted a pair of limited-edition sneakers on the shoe rack and stopped in his tracks.

"Wait... isn't this the latest model? She... she really managed to get them."

My mother opened the box, taking a closer look, and discovered a note I had written tucked inside.

"Wishing my brother Ryan a bright future. — Kelly"

My memories drifted back to that time when Ryan, thousands of miles away, called me.

He said if I could get him the latest sneakers he liked, he would return home as a good brother, no longer obsessed with vying for our parents' affection, and would live peacefully...