Poly( The family of Aliyah)

Chapter 2:The Outsider

Chapter 2: The Outsider

Kirn sat in the corner of the lavish living room, nursing a drink and watching the others from a distance. They moved together effortlessly, like pieces of a well-oiled machine. Trix’s laughter echoed through the room, his charm captivating everyone. Shon stood by the window, silent but commanding attention with his mere presence. Aspen, ever the observant one, flitted between conversations, blending in with a grace that seemed natural to him.

Kirn, on the other hand, felt like a ghost. He had always been on the periphery, the illegitimate son, the one who didn’t quite belong. His connection to the family was by blood, but everything else about him screamed outsider. He watched as Trix patted Shon on the back, their shared smile highlighting the bond between them—something Kirn could never access.

The ache of envy twisted in his chest, a familiar pain that gnawed at him every time he saw them together. He didn’t belong in this world of power and control. He was the reminder of a past mistake, something to be tolerated but never truly embraced.

The conversation flowed easily among them, but Kirn felt none of the ease they shared. He could never just step into the fold, never engage in the way they did. His father had made sure of that by never letting him forget his place. Kirn wasn’t the son his father was proud of; he was the mistake that had to be acknowledged but never truly accepted.

As his eyes drifted around the room, they landed on Aliyah, who was seated with a poised smile, her mask of innocence firmly in place. He had always found her intriguing—her sharp mind, her subtle manipulations. She wasn’t as perfect as the others believed. There was something underneath the surface, something hidden, much like him.

But even she was part of their world in a way he could never be. She played her role flawlessly, while he could never seem to fit into his. He often wondered if she knew what it was like to be an outsider, to feel the weight of not belonging.

Kirn sighed and took another sip of his drink, the bitterness of it matching his mood. He wanted to be part of this family, to feel the warmth of brotherhood and connection. But every time he tried, he was reminded of his place—on the outside, looking in.

The sound of Trix’s voice snapped him from his thoughts. “Kirn! Come join us, will you? We’re just about to start the toast.”

Kirn forced a smile, though the bitterness in his chest grew. Trix’s words felt like an invitation, but his tone carried the same condescending warmth it always did—a reminder that Kirn was included out of obligation, not genuine care.

Reluctantly, he stood and made his way toward the group, feeling the invisible wall between him and his brothers as strong as ever. He envied the ease with which they connected, the silent understanding they shared. But no matter what he did, he knew he’d never truly be one of them.

The toast went on without a hitch, laughter and cheers filling the room. Kirn raised his glass, but the drink tasted hollow, like everything else in his life. As he looked around at the smiling faces of his family, he couldn’t help but feel like he was destined to remain on the outside forever, watching a world he could never be a part of.