006

AURELIA POV

Zane was back.

My other adoptive brother.

The name still felt strange in my mind, like something borrowed from a story that didn’t belong to me.

I had never met Zane before. Only pictures. Old framed photos in the hallway. A boy with cold eyes and sharp facial features. Always serious. Always distant. Even in childhood, he never looked like someone who belonged anywhere.

He had left for school abroad before I was adopted.

And after that… no one talked about him.

It was as if he never existed.

No stories. No memories. No casual mentions.

Nothing.

And now, suddenly, he was back.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice where I was going.

Not until I crashed into something.

Or rather… someone.

The impact was solid. Strong. Unmoving.

Before I could steady myself, I fell, scraping my palms against the ground. A sharp sting rushed through my hands.

“Ouch…”

I looked up.

And met a face that looked half annoyed, half irritated.

No helping hand.

No concern.

Just cold eyes staring down at me.

He was tall. Broad-shouldered. Muscular. His presence alone felt intimidating. His jaw was clenched, a scowl plastered on his face like I had personally offended him by existing.

Rude.

The pain in my hands jolted through me, making my eyes water. I didn’t even notice him speaking. His lips were moving, clearly saying something, but I was too focused on the burning in my skin.

And he still hadn’t helped me up.

Not even an attempt.

I glared at him, annoyance rushing through my body.

How could someone knock into another person and not even try to help?

Worse, I didn’t recognize him.

I had never seen his face in this house before.

Maybe he was one of grandfather’s new employees.

If so, he was the rudest one yet.

I pushed myself up and brushed my hands against my dress.

I had too much on my mind to waste time on some incompetent staff.

I turned to leave.

But suddenly, he grabbed my wrist.

Rough. Firm.

His lips moved again, angry this time. Something about manners. Something sharp. But I was too upset to focus on reading them properly.

I yanked my hand away.

Anger flooded me.

Who did he think he was? A full-grown man acting like this?

I tried to walk past him again but he blocked my path.

Still talking.

Still irritated.

Still looking at me like I was the problem.

That was it.

I shoved him.

Hard.

Then I raised my hands and cursed him out in sign language, every ounce of frustration pouring into my movements.

Even if he didn’t understand, I didn’t care.

I wasn’t going to let some rude stranger walk all over me.

JUST LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU FREAK.

I stormed past him.

Didn’t look back.

Didn’t wait for a reaction.

I was already late.

I walked quickly, my strides angry and unsteady, trying to pull myself together before facing grandfather, mom, and dad.

Before pretending before lying.

Before acting like everything was still fine.

Worse, Seth wasn’t with me.

Something about a “meeting.”

But I knew.

There was no meeting.

He was probably with her.

The thought made my chest tighten.

Our divorce papers flashed in my mind. My signature.

My stupid obedience.

I missed him..i missed us.

I missed what we used to be.

Maybe… maybe we could still fix it.

Maybe I should try harder.

Maybe I shouldn’t give up so easily.

A small, foolish hope slipped into my heart.

We were divorced, yes.

But maybe…

Maybe we could still work it out.

We would.

We had to.

Just then, someone tapped my shoulder gently.

I turned.

Mom.

She smiled softly and pulled me into a hug.

I froze for a second.

Then relaxed into her arms.

I wanted to cry right there on her shoulder.

But I couldn’t.

If I did, everyone would know.

“Aurelia, darling, how are you?” she signed slowly, carefully. “Come on in. What are you doing standing outside?”

Mom, dad, and grandfather weren’t very fluent in sign language.

Only Seth was.

I quickly took out my phone and typed.

“I’m fine, Mom. I was just about to come in. Sorry for being late.”

The robotic voice spoke for me.

“Oh darling, it’s fine. Dinner hasn’t even been served yet. Zane isn’t here either.”

My heart skipped.

“Where is Seth? Is he not with you?”

It hurt.

They still thought we were together.

Still believed in something that no longer existed.

But I lied anyway.

“He is coming. We came separately because he had a meeting at the company.”

“Oh, okay then,” Mom signed. “Let’s go in.”

Inside, Dad and Grandfather were already seated, waiting.

Waiting for Seth and Zane.

I mouthed my greetings.

They nodded.

Grandfather smiled and waved me closer, making sure I was in his line of sight.

“How are you, dear?”

“I’m fine,” I replied.

“It’s been long since you and Seth came over,” he added.

“I’m sorry, Grandfather. He has been very busy.”

“Is that why he didn’t come with you?”

“Yes. He had an urgent board meeting. He is on his way.”

Lie.

After lie after lie.

Not long after the maids brought in the food.

The table was full.

But two seats were still empty.

Seth’s and Zane’s.

Minutes passed.

Then…Footsteps heavy and Confident.

Approaching.

The dining room doors opened and two figures walked in.

Side by side.

My heart stopped.

Seth.

And…

Him.

The rude stranger the man I had just cursed. The man I had shoved, the man I had called a freak.

My eyes widened.

My breath caught.

No.

No way.

He lifted his head.

Our eyes met.

Recognition flashed across his face.

More like shock.

Then something darker..slow and dangerous.

Realization.

Grandfather stood up, smiling.

“Zane,” he said warmly. “You’re finally home.”

My world tilted.

Zane.

That man…

Was my adoptive brother.

And he was staring straight at me.