Scarlett & Ethan

Doble POV.

POV -----

When I leave the bathroom, Kieran is casually leaning against the wall, gazing out the window. He seems so lost in thought that he doesn't even hear me enter. I take my time observing him, watching as he lets his guard down. He seems haunted.

Don't get me wrong—his presence still commands the room. His shoulders are set straight, his posture exudes control, and his expression is as indifferent as ever. But there's a faraway look in his eyes, etched into the hard lines of his face. His arms are crossed in front of him, and his head tilts ever so slightly. He isn't watching the garden outside, not the outlines of the trees or the people passing by. No, he's looking at the sky, as if searching for answers. As if it has somehow personally offended him.  

When he finally notices me, he doesn't turn around immediately. He keeps looking up, but I know he's aware of me—my presence, my location. His ears twitch slightly, and the faraway look in his eyes vanishes, replaced by sharp awareness. He's back in this room, with me.  

I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry," I say, my voice softer than I expect. It's the only excuse I can think of to distract him from catching me watching him. My gaze shifts to his hands. "I didn't mean to..." My words trail off, unfinished.  

Because I did mean to.  

I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to study him. I wanted to exploit every single weakness he has—and I think I might have hit the jackpot today.  

Hajya. She's his weakness.  

"Don't be," he says, moving away from the window to face me fully. "But this cannot happen again."  

I open my mouth to respond, though I have no idea what I plan to say. Not that it matters—he cuts me off.  

"I think training might help you."  

I furrow my brows, feigning confusion. "Training?"  

He presses his lips together. "I know you don't like it. It goes against your ethics. But I thought... perhaps you'd have changed your mind after what happened."  

I tilt my head, as though considering. He wants Hajya to learn self-defense.  

"I'm not saying..." He pauses, then shakes his head. "Never mind. I hope you'll at least consider it." His voice wavers slightly, an unfamiliar uncertainty creeping in.  

It's baffling.  

I nod, trying to appear hesitant. He searches my face for something, though whatever it is, he doesn't find it. It shows in the slight press of his lips, in the way he looks away, unable to meet my gaze.  

"It would help with your anger," he says quietly. "It could give you a sense of control."  

I bite my lip. "Who would....?"  

It's a question Hajya would ask. She's still uneasy around men—most of them, anyway. The thought of being touched by one, let alone feeling their power over her, would be unbearable. I look down, allowing a small shudder to run through me.  

I hate being touched, too. Always have.  

That reminds me—I need to sneak out soon. The companies should be fine. More pressing is the matter of my Orion's house. Xavier had been there—with me. Back then, I hadn't known, but now, knowing he is here, I can't stop wondering if he left with more than I realized. Did he take something? Or worse, did he see something he shouldn't have?  

I need to check the cameras, confirm what he might have done since that day. But to do that, I need a phone, and Hajya—timid, traumatized Hajya—has no reason to ask for one. She wouldn't even think of it.  

I can't risk slipping out of character, not even for this. It would draw suspicion, and suspicion is a luxury I can't afford. But I can't let this go unchecked either. Whatever Xavier did—or didn't do—could be the key to controlling the damage before it spirals further out of my grasp.  

I must have zoned out, because the next thing I know, Kieran is gripping my shoulders, squeezing it gently. I snap out of my daze, fighting the urge to reflexively shove him off. Doesn't anyone teach these men not to touch a lady? Ugh. Men.  

He seems worried, brows furrowed with regret. I'm Hajya, I am Hajya . I not angry. I am dazed.  

I blink a few times, pretending to be disoriented. My awareness slips just enough that I lose my balance, and he catches me. At least his reflexes are good.  

I faint—or at least, I play the part convincingly.  

Now, let's see what he does.  

Just how important is Hajya to him really? They're half-siblings, and they didn't even know each other for most of his lives. She was gone for the rest of it. So how are they this close? And why does he care so much?  

He doesn't act like the twins do. They're thrilled to have their sister back, their anger over what happened to her obvious. But Kieran... Kieran carries it like an obligation. It's more than feeling responsible for a Kidnapped sister, it's deeper somehow.  

He blames himself.  

Not in a I-wasn't-a-good-brother way, but as though it's literally his fault.  

Did he do this to her? Did he give her away? But no, that can't be right. he's too affectionate for that. Too protective. Then maybe... maybe it's because of him that they took her.  

But why does he act like she could have lived a different life for so long?  

He's connected to her disappearance somehow. Either he thought she was dead and recently learned the truth, or...  

What other explanation is there?  

Seeing me pains him. And yet, he can't seem to stay away.   

Orion POV.

I knew it.  

I stand before the house, staring up at it with grim determination. Slowly, I climb the steps. My hand reaches for the door, expecting it to be locked. But before I even touch it, the door swings open.  

I hesitate, confusion prickling at the edges of my mind.  

Still, it's not enough to stop me.  

I step inside, the door clicking shut behind me on its own. The sound is unsettling, but I shove the feeling down.  

I need answers.  

My feet move as if on autopilot, carrying me to a door deeper within the house. It feels oddly familiar, as though I've done this a hundred times before.  

I push the door open.  

Memories hit me like a wave.  

I'm lying on a bed, looking toward the doorway as someone enters.  

"Scarlett," I say. "You weren't supposed to be here."  

I sound anxious, my movements hurried as I glance past her into the hallway. I pull her inside, closing the door behind her.  

"Xavier's supposed to be here any minute," I say sternly.  

She shrugs, flopping down onto the bed.  

I press a hand to my head, exasperated. "You're going to make me age faster, you know that?"  

The memory vanishes as quickly as it came.  

I shake it off and move deeper into the house, my eyes scanning every detail.  

It's time for answers.  

--..-.-.--.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Author's  Note 

Im open to ideas, or improvements.