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CHAPTER TWENTY SIX: KIDS AGAIN
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Joshua had come clean to his sister. It was a lot to take in, mainly because Yun was hit with a realization of how much she had turned a blind eye to her brother's situation. "Do you really plan on staying then? You just.. You seemed happier away from home. I can help you run away again, this time maybe to a place more secure." Yun began getting ahead of herself, but oddly enough it was endearing.
Joshua cut her off before she began rambling. "It's okay, you don't need to do that. But, thank you, hearing you say that puts my mind more at ease." He gave his little sister a soft smile. "But, I can't leave again even if I wanted to, for her sake, I will not risk having her life ruined."
"Is dad blackmailing you?" Yun's expression darkened, almost feeling a sense of guilt.
Joshua sighed, "Yeah. If I don't do as he says, he'll make sure everything in her life goes to hell. She helped me so much, Yun, I can't just repay with ruining her life. She's innocent, it's not like she caused me to run away. I don't think I could live with myself knowing I did something like that."
This was the first time Yun had seen her older brother in such distress. Well at least, the first time he's been visibly open about it. She didn't need a confirmation to know that Joshua growing up with their dad's eye always on him was stressful.
"Besides my life was set from the moment I was born, so I might as well own up to it. Plus, I know that if I didn't come back home soon, then dad would move onto you." Joshua stopped mid sentence to really take in the room they were in.
"And it doesn't seem you want this life either."
It took a second for Yun to process her brother's words. But once they had hit, she felt a wave of emotions beginning to flow in. The guilt mainly overpowering the rest, knowing her older brother was willing to live an unhappy life just so other's didn't bare such burdens, including her.
Having this conversation had her feel like they were kids again. The topic wasn't something kids would talk about of course, but seeing as the last time they had been so honest and actually talked to one another was when they were kids. Yun couldn't help but feel such way in this situation.
Suddenly, Joshua had felt his sisters arms being thrown around his figure. This was Yun's apology and gratitude all at once. Her actions and Joshua's now wet shoulder explained it all without words. The guilt of her brother's burden, the gratitude of his sacrifice and having her brother once again.
