Unfading Shadows [2]

40

Hi guys!

Another chapter~

I didn't want to leave u guys waiting so I tried to finish it before I sleep~

I hope you'll enjoy it ❤︎

When Luke and Damian returned, Vince's suspicious gaze fixed on them. Both Luke and Damian, however, focused on Miray's sleeping form in his arms and avoided making eye contact with him, which only deepened Vince's sense of unease and suspicion.

Before Vince could ask any questions, Luke initiated a hushed conversation with Noah and squeezed his shoulder lightly then he met Vince's eyes and sighed, motioning for him to follow him outside. 

Vince desperately wanted to stay by Miray's side, never leaving her, but his curiosity about what was happening and what had happened during his coma was eating at him. 

He carefully untangled himself from Miray and placed a pillow in his place to keep her comfortable. He stared at her face for a moment, kissed her temple and tenderly caressed her hair before reluctantly following Luke and Damian.

After Vince left, Noah took a seat next to Miray and gently laid his hand over hers. Miray shifted slightly, making a cute sound as if she were sucking on something. The sight tugged at Noah's heartstrings - she seemed so small and innocent. 

Tears welled up in his eyes, and he didn't try to hold them back. Memories from their childhood flooded his mind - something that happened more often recently as he remembered how bright and cheerful Miray had always been, even despite her illness. 

She used to fill their home with laughter and adorable remarks, her presence radiating warmth, love, and light. Now, all that brightness had vanished, leaving behind only the remnants of her former self, a mere ghost of a sweet girl who had never harmed anyone but had suffered in ways that were difficult to comprehend...

Why had he ever harbored negative feelings towards her? Why had jealousy crept into his heart for someone as innocent and lovely as his sister? How had his mind become tainted with such harmful thoughts about her?

He didn't get it.

He didn't get his younger version.

Was he really a bad person?

Noah's self-loathing was an overwhelming burden on his heart. He couldn't forgive himself for his past selfishness and unkindness towards Miray. With a heavy heart, he realized the depths of his misunderstanding because in truth, Miray's life had been a series of trials and tribulations.

 She suffered with physical illness that denied her the simple joys he took for granted. She had endured the cruel mental abuse inflicted by their father and his family, a profound betrayal of the love she deserved. Losing her mother at such a young age had left a lasting scar, and the geographical separation from her mom's relatives added to her hardship.

Noah's self-disgust deepened as he reflected on how unjustly he had treated her, offering only coldness and animosity in return for her boundless kindness. However, what tormented him the most was the awareness of the horrors Miray had suffered during her abduction. The mere thought of it sent his chest into a constricting grip, robbed him of breath, and triggered paralyzing panic attacks.

Noah squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed a lump in his throat, struggling to disentangle his mind from those distressing thoughts. He rested his head gently on their joined hands, allowing his tears to flow freely.