CHAPTER 31

Aaron stood near the control panel by the door, staring at the screen like it had just insulted him.

Kael stepped into the hallway a second later, closing Vera’s door behind him. His face was calm again, but the air around him still carried the heat of the moment he had just left.

“What is it?” Kael asked quietly.

Aaron pointed at the monitor.

“You need to see this.”

Kael walked over. His eyes narrowed the moment he saw the gate camera.

For a second… he didn’t say anything.

Aaron rubbed his face. “Yeah. Exactly my reaction.”

On the screen, two familiar figures stood outside the massive gate like they owned the place.

One of them was waving at the camera.

The other was leaning casually against the car like he had all the time in the world.

Kael exhaled slowly.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Aaron let out a short laugh. “Last time I checked, your sister was supposed to be in Canada.”

“And my brother was on a mission,” Kael added flatly.

Another wave at the camera.

Then the girl blew a kiss at it.

Aaron sighed. “Yeah… that’s definitely her.”

Kael pressed the button to open the gate.

“Let them in.”

—

Outside, the gates slid open smoothly.

The girl jumped excitedly.

“I told you he’d open it!” she said.

The man beside her smirked. “Of course he would. We’re his favorite problems.”

They walked inside like they had been waiting for this moment all day.

By the time they reached the entrance, Aaron had already opened the door.

And the chaos began immediately.

“AARON!”

The girl ran straight into him and hugged him hard.

Aaron groaned. “Livia. You’re going to break my ribs.”

Too late.

She squeezed him tighter.

“I missed you!”

“I was living peacefully before this moment.”

She stepped back, hands on her hips, pretending to be offended.

“You’re so rude.”

Aaron pointed behind her. “Explain why you’re here first.”

Kael stood a few steps behind them now, arms crossed, watching the scene.

The girl turned.

The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up.

“KAEL!”

She ran again.

This time straight at him.

Aaron winced.

Everyone expected Kael to step aside.

He didn’t.

Livia crashed into him and hugged him tightly.

For a moment, Kael stayed still.

Then he sighed quietly and rested his hand briefly on her head.

“Livia.”

She looked up at him with a huge smile.

“You missed me.”

Kael stared at her.

“…You’re supposed to be in school.”

“I took a break.”

“You don’t take breaks from university.”

“I do.”

Aaron muttered, “Of course she does.”

Kael’s eyes shifted past her to the man standing near the door.

“Lucian.”

The man smiled slowly.

“Brother.”

They looked exactly the same.

Same face. Same height. Same sharp features.

But their energy was completely different.

Where Kael was calm and controlled, Lucian looked relaxed, amused… dangerous in a very different way.

Aaron shook his head. “You two still creep me out.”

Lucian walked inside, glancing around the mansion.

“Nice place. I see you didn’t burn it down while I was gone.”

Kael didn’t react.

“Why are you both here?”

Livia answered immediately.

“Because we were bored.”

Lucian nodded. “Accurate.”

Kael stared at them.

Aaron whispered, “I think we should prepare ourselves.”

But Livia suddenly gasped.

Her eyes widened.

She looked around dramatically.

“Wait.”

Aaron groaned. “Here we go.”

She pointed at him.

“You’re hiding something.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I’m not.”

“You definitely are.”

Aaron rubbed his forehead. “No.”

Livia leaned closer, squinting at him.

“…There’s a girl here.”

Silence.

Aaron froze.

Lucian raised an eyebrow.

Kael’s expression didn’t change.

But Livia suddenly screamed.

“I KNEW IT!”

She turned to Kael.

“YOU BROUGHT A GIRL HOME???”

Aaron tried to escape.

Too late.

She grabbed his arm.

“Aaron. Tell me everything.”

“No.”

“Tell me or I’ll start guessing.”

“You’re already guessing.”

Lucian chuckled softly. “This is entertaining.”

Livia leaned closer to Aaron.

“Is she pretty?”

Aaron said nothing.

Her eyes widened.

“OH MY GOD SHE’S PRETTY.”

Aaron sighed heavily. “I hate this house.”

Livia jumped.

“Where is she?!”

Aaron immediately shook his head. “No.”

Too late again.

She was already running.

“LIVIA—”

But she was gone.

Aaron looked at Kael.

“…I tried.”

Kael pinched the bridge of his nose.

Lucian laughed quietly.

“Oh this is going to be fun.”

—

Upstairs.

Vera had finally moved away from the door.

Her mind was still spinning.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor.

“What is wrong with him…”

She pressed her face into her hands.

Then—

The door burst open.

“HELLO!”

Vera jumped.

A girl stood in the doorway with bright eyes and a huge smile.

“Oh wow,” the girl said. “You’re even prettier than Aaron described.”

Vera blinked.

“…Who are you?”

The girl walked straight into the room like she owned it.

“I’m Livia.”

She extended her hand.

“Kael’s sister.”

Vera froze.

“…Sister?”

“Yep.”

Livia gasped dramatically.

“Oh he definitely likes you.”

Vera stood up.

“I... I don't think so, I don’t even like him, what made you say that?

“Perfect.”

“What?”

Livia grabbed her hand.

“Come downstairs.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

And just like that, Livia dragged her out of the room.

—

Downstairs.

Aaron was already regretting his life choices, while avoiding eye contact with Lucian

Lucian leaned against the wall watching everything like a movie.

Kael stood near the window, quiet.

Then—

Livia appeared.

Dragging Vera.

Everyone turned.

Aaron sighed.

Lucian’s smile slowly grew.

Kael looked up.

For a brief moment, the room went silent.

Livia grinned proudly.

“Found her!”

Vera looked like she wanted to disappear.

Lucian straightened slightly, eyes locked on her.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Aaron rubbed his face again.

“This house is cursed.”

Livia stood between them happily.

“Okay! Introductions!”

She pointed.

“This is Aaron. You already know him.”

Aaron gave a tired wave.

She pointed at Lucian.

“And this is—”

Lucian stepped forward.

“Lucian.”

Vera blinked.

Her eyes widened.

For a second, she looked at Kael.

Then back at Lucian.

“…Wait.”

Lucian smiled.

“Yes. We get that a lot.”

Livia laughed.

“They’re twins.”

Vera stared.

“This is confusing.”

Lucian leaned closer slightly.

“I’m the better one.”

Kael finally spoke.

“Lucian.”

Lucian smirked. “Relax.”

Livia clapped excitedly.

“This is so fun!”

Aaron muttered, For you.

Vera crossed her arms.

“I should go back to my room.”

“No!” Livia said immediately. You’re staying.

Kael’s gaze stayed on Vera the entire time.

She could feel it.

Lucian noticed.

And that made him smile even more.

“Oh,” Lucian said casually. “This is going to be interesting.”

Kael looked at him.

Lucian raised his hands innocently.

“What? I’m just observing.”

Vera felt the tension again.

Different this time.

Livia suddenly whispered loudly to Aaron.

“See? I told you she was pretty.”

Aaron whispered back, “You’re not whispering.”

Lucian laughed.

Kael walked past them calmly.

“Everyone go to sleep.”

Livia groaned. “You’re boring.”

But eventually, everyone separated.

The house grew quiet again.

—

Later that night(Midnight)

The mansion was silent.

Vera stepped out of her room slowly.

She couldn’t sleep.

Her throat felt dry.

“I just need water,” she muttered.

She walked downstairs quietly.

The lights were dim.

The house felt huge at night.

She reached the kitchen.

Poured water.

Took a sip.

Then—

A voice behind her.

“Can’t sleep either?”

Vera turned quickly.

Her heart jumped.

“Ka—”

She stopped.

It wasn’t Kael.

Lucian leaned against the counter, watching her with a small smile.

Vera exhaled slowly.

“You look exactly like him.”

Lucian stepped closer.

“But I’m not him.”

She nodded slowly.

“I can see that.”

He studied her.

“So you’re the girl"

“I didn’t do anything.”

Lucian smiled slightly.

“That’s what makes it worse.”

Vera frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Lucian leaned a little closer.

Lowering his voice.

“You really don’t know, do you?”

Her heart beat faster.

“Know what?”

Lucian looked toward the hallway… where Kael’s room was.

Then back at her.

And then he said quietly—

“Oh… this is going to be fun.”

Vera narrowed her eyes.

“You’re not making sense.”

Lucian’s smile widened.

“Wait until you find out why Kael actually brought you here.”

Vera froze.

“…What do you mean?”

Lucian tilted his head.

“Well…...He slowly smiled and walked away

And Vera suddenly had a very bad feeling about what she was about to learn.