CHAPTER 70

The room downstairs wasn’t loud when Vera and Kael walked in, but it wasn’t quiet either. It had that strange kind of silence that only happens when people are pretending they’re not waiting for something.

Marco was seated like he had been there for a while longer than necessary, Elena had her hands folded neatly in her lap but her eyes kept drifting to Vera, Adrian stood near the window like he was trying to make himself invisible on purpose, and Xavier—of course—looked like he was the only one who didn’t understand the seriousness of the atmosphere, even though he definitely did.

Kael released Vera’s hand first, enough to remind her they were no longer in that space where everything felt easy

She didn’t look at him immediately, that alone was already enough to make Marco notice

Marco leaned slightly forward. “Vera please sit"

Vera sat first. Kael stayed standing for a second longer than necessary before taking the seat beside her, not too close, not too far either

Elena glanced at Marco once, then spoke carefully. We are not trying to ambush you

Xavier muttered, That’s exactly what this feels like

Adrian didn’t look at him. “Xavierrrrrr don’t start"

I didn’t start anything

Xavier please.....not now

Xavier opened his mouth, then closed it again like he was choosing peace for once in his life.

Marco exhaled slowly. “This isn’t about pressure"

Vera gave him a look immediately, it always starts with that sentence

That got a faint smile from Elena, but she didn’t interrupt

Marco nodded once like he accepted that truth Fair But still, We need to talk about something that cannot be ignored anymore

Kael leaned back slightly, eyes fixed somewhere between Marco and the floor

Marco continued. “You’ve found your family. You’ve started rebuilding what was lost. That part is not negotiable. It’s happening whether we are ready or not.”

Xavier mumbled, We are not ready

Elena cleared her throat softly

What your father is trying to say is… we don’t want to hold you in a place where you feel torn

Vera didn’t answer immediately. Her fingers moved slightly against her own palm, a habit she didn’t notice she still had. Kael noticed though

Marco’s voice dropped a little "You can stay here, Or you can go with us. No one is forcing anything

Xavier scoffed lightly, Except the entire emotional weight of family reunion trauma

Xavier, Elena warned gently.

What? I’m just saying what everyone is thinking

Adrian finally turned, No one asked you to narrate

Xavier raised both hands-- Fine, Silent suffering it is

Marco’s eyes stayed on her "We just need to know what you want”

That word—want—hung there longer than anything else

Vera looked down for a second, then up again. And if I don’t know yet?

Elena answered immediately, softer than before Then you don’t decide yet

Xavier leaned forward slightly Or we could just kidnap you back politely

Kael spoke for the first time since they sat down "She won’t be forced"

Marco looked at him, No one said she would be

Kael met his gaze evenly, You didn’t have to

Silence followed.

Elena sighed softly

This is why I said we shouldn’t make it feel like a decision under pressure

Xavier pointed at her, You literally said we need to talk

Marco finally leaned forward again, voice steady but quieter now. “Vera… whatever you choose, no one is leaving you behind again.”

That line didn’t land like a statement, It landed like a promise he had already made long before today

Vera looked at him longer this time.

Then Adrian spoke, unexpectedly calm. “And if you decide to stay, we will respect your decision

Xavier scoffed. “Liar"

Adrian didn’t deny it

Elena reached for Vera’s hand across the space between them. And if you go with us, we won’t erase what you’ve built here

That part made something in the room go quieter

Kael didn’t look at Vera when he spoke next. You don’t owe anyone a direction

Marco looked at Vera again. Take time, but don’t disappear into the middle of deciding

Vera gave a small breath of a laugh, that’s very specific

Eventually Elena stood. “I’ll make tea.”

Xavier stood immediately after, I’ll supervise the tea

You will not

I must ensure quality control

You don’t know what tea is

I know what boiling water is

That’s not—

Adrian interrupted, already walking away. “If you explode the kitchen again, you are cleaning it up.

Xavier followed him, That one time was not my fault

It was entirely your fault

Their voices faded down the hallway, still arguing

The room became smaller without them

Marco exhaled slowly, i didn’t want this to feel like pressure

It does a little, Vera said honestly.

Marco nodded once. “I know.”

Now it was just Kael, Vera, and Marco.

Kael stood up after a moment

I’ll give you space

Vera looked at him quickly, No.....You don’t have to leave

He paused

Marco watched them both without speaking

Kael studied her for a moment longer than usual. Then he sat back down slowly, just enough to show he was staying without taking space from her.

I’ll be outside "Marco Said"

And he left.

Vera stared at the table for a moment.

Kael didn’t speak first, he never rushed her when it mattered

After a while, she asked, Is it always like this?

What

Family

Kael leaned back slightly, Depends on the family

That doesn’t help

Kael spoke quietly. “You don’t have to solve them all at once

I feel like I do

You don’t

She turned her head slightly toward him. “You’re very sure of that

I am

Why?

Kael looked at her then, because you’re still here while thinking about it

I meant what I said earlier, he added.

She knew what he meant without asking, but she still asked anyway. Which part?

If you remembered everything

She went still for a second

He continued, It wouldn’t change me

“Kael…”

He interrupted gently. “It’s just true.”

You don’t know what I might remember

Kael nodded once. “I don’t.”

And you still say that

Yes

Then softer, I’d still choose you

Vera looked at him again, this time fully.

Even if I don’t choose you back the same way after?

Kael didn’t hesitate, Then I’ll wait until you do

Footsteps echoed faintly from the hallway.

Voices returning

Kael stood slowly this time. “They’ll come back in.”

Vera nodded slightly.

Whatever you decide… don’t do it because you’re afraid of losing someone

Vera didn’t look at him immediately, And what if I already am?

Kael didn’t answer for a moment.

Then simply, then be honest about it

The voices grew closer

The door opened again

And the waiting continued

But now it wasn’t about asking, It was about what she would finally say when she stopped running out of time.

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