Alexander's gaze lingered on Ava's lifeless body, his thoughts numb. His phone pierced the silence, Emily's cheerful voice a jarring contrast.
"Uncle Alex, how are you? When are you coming home? I need help with my math homework," Emily asked, oblivious to the darkness surrounding him.
Alexander's voice hardened, mocking. "Why don't you ask your boyfriend Max to help? I'm sure he's an expert."
Emily's laughter filled the line. "Uncle Alex, you're silly! Max doesn't know how to do it either. It's tough. Please come early, I'm struggling."
Alexander's expression softened, his tone easing. "I'll be home soon, kiddo. Just finish your dinner."
Ethan watched Alexander's exchange, his eyes narrowing. "You're still sentimental about Emily, aren't you?"
Alexander's mask slipped back into place. "She's family. That's all."
Ethan's gaze lingered. "One day, she'll discover the truth about you."
"Emily knows the truth," Alexander said, his voice cold. "She's been prepared for this life."
Ethan's eyes widened. "Since when?"
Alexander's gaze hardened. "Since she was 11. She's old enough to understand."
Ethan's expression turned thoughtful. "And she still looks up to you?"
Alexander's face twisted. "She's family. She'll do what's necessary."
Ethan's eyes gleamed with nostalgia and malice, his voice dripping with venom. "I wish I had a chance to meet my innocent niece, who even sparked softness into you." Alexander's gaze hardened, his anger simmering. "You'll never meet her, Ethan. Not after what you tried to do."
Ethan's twisted smile revealed his true intentions. "Ah, Lucas, Emily's father, would never let me meet her, would he? Relief washed over him when Lucas stopped me." Alexander's voice turned venomous. "You tried to give her a testosterone injection, Ethan. You wanted to experiment on her, erase her femininity."
Ethan's chuckle sent chills down Alexander's spine. "And now I'm the victim?" Alexander's anger boiled over. "Not even you will ever harm her. I won't let you near her." Ethan's eyes flashed with resentment. "You think you're protecting her from me? You're the one who's been using her as a shield for your own morality."
Alexander's face darkened. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe from you." Ethan's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming with malice. "We'll see about that, Alexander. We'll see."
But then, Ethan's demeanor shifted. His eyes dropped, shamefaced. "I tried to change Emily's fate, Alexander. I wanted to transform her into a boy, erase her femininity." Alexander's disgust deepened. "You monster. You sought to destroy her identity."
Ethan's voice barely rose above a whisper. "I was consumed by my own twisted desires. I saw Emily as a threat, a reminder of our family's weakness." Alexander's anger simmered. "You're sick, Ethan. You need help."
Ethan's gaze pleaded for understanding. "I know. I'm seeking redemption, Alexander. Let me apologize to Lucas and Emily." Alexander's skepticism lingered. "You expect forgiveness after trying to destroy Emily's very essence?" Ethan's face contorted. "I don't deserve it, but I must try. For Emily's sake, for Lucas', and for mine."
The air thickened with tension as the brothers' animosity reached a boiling point. Ethan's dark secret hung like a toxic cloud, threatening to destroy the fragile bonds between them.
Ethan's eyes locked onto Alexander's, his voice laced with desperation. "Please, Alexander, convince Lucas to let me meet Emily. I'll bring my own child, my boy, as a guarantee of my good intentions."
Alexander's skepticism lingered. "You think Lucas will trust you after what you've done?"
Ethan's face contorted. "I know I've lost the right to ask, but I'm willing to risk everything. If I try to harm Emily, you can do the same to my boy."
Alexander's gaze narrowed. "You're willing to gamble with your own child's safety?"
Ethan nodded. "I am. I need to make amends, Alexander. I need to prove I've changed."
Alexander's expression softened slightly. "Fair enough. I'll talk to Lucas, but no promises."
Ethan's eyes lit up with hope. "Thank you, Alexander. Thank you."
Alexander's voice turned stern. "Don't betray this chance, Ethan. Lucas will be watching, and so will I."
Ethan's determination hardened. "I won't fail. For Emily's sake, for my boy's sake, and for mine."
As Alexander nodded, the brothers' fragile truce hung in the balance.
