A Dangerous Liaison

-39-

seven years later

Akira

Akira sat on the grand staircase of the old family house, his eyes flickering over the faded portraits that lined the walls. The faces of his siblings, Ma, and Pa stared hauntingly back at him, their expressions frozen in time, judgemental and cold, as if silently accusing him of their downfall. Dust clung to the air, covering the banisters, the furniture, and the wooden floors like a blanket. The mansion still towered over him, a shadow and symbol of their power and wealth, a reminder of the past that sent a chill down his spine. Everything was deadly silent; the place had not been touched or inhabited in seven years. Every corner of the house represented his family's fall from grace, the pain, betrayal, and loss of what they once were and reality of what they had become.  

Charlie and Olivia stood with Akira, their presence a bittersweet reminder of how much had shifted in the years since the trial. Olivia, now married and visibly pregnant, stood near the window in the foyer, her hand gently resting on her round stomach. She had risen above it all, becoming a force in both business and philanthropy. Alongside her husband, she had co-founded Pixel, a technology company that had outperformed every major competitor in the region. As CEO, she had led the company to unprecedented success, their profits soaring beyond expectation. 

Yet, it wasn't just business where she left her mark - her charity, dedicated to children with life-threatening illnesses, had gained international recognition, making waves across the globe for the good it was doing. Since the trial, Olivia had carved a path entirely her own. She was fierce, untouchable, and not easily manipulated anymore. And she was happy—truly, visibly happy.

As Akira watched her, a pang of pride filled his chest. This was what their father had never understood: that real power came not from the money or the dirty deals, but from the strength to rise above it, to do good in a world so often consumed by darkness. Olivia had done that, more than any of them.

"You ready?" Olivia's voice pulled him from his thoughts, her eyes searching his face for any sign of hesitation.

Akira nodded, though he wasn't sure if he was truly ready to let go of the house.

"Ready as I'll ever be," he muttered, glancing at Charlie, who stood by the door, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

Charlie, standing by next to Olivia, looked different than he had seven years ago. Prison had changed him, stripped him of the arrogance and the reckless hunger for power that once defined him. After his release three years ago, Charlie had rebuilt his empire with a clean slate - no more shady deals, no dirty money. His clubs in Bangkok were thriving, his reputation reformed. But even with all his success, there was still one missing piece: the man he loved.

Akira could see it in the way Charlie's eyes scanned the room, searching for something - or someone - that wasn't there. Tiger. Charlie hadn't seen or heard from Tiger in seven years, and despite his efforts to find him, there had been nothing but silence. And even if he didn't say it aloud, Akira knew Tiger's absence consumed him; Charlie clung to the hope that one day, Tiger would reappear. Akira understood that longing all too well.

Charlie glanced at Akira, as if sensing his thoughts. "What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing," Akira replied, shaking his head. "Just... thinking."

Charlie snorted. "That's your problem, Akira. You think too much."

"Someone has to," Akira shot back, though his tone was light.

"So, this is truly it then?" Olivia's voice was soft. "Our family home will be in the hands of another."

"Yeah," Akira replied, his voice heavy.