Yuna:
Ethan didn't react to my teasing.
Not even a flicker.
That bothered me more than I wanted to admit.
Before I could think too much about it, Luca spoke something quietly to Ethan, and both of them turned toward the study room.
"We need to talk," Luca said.
Ethan nodded once.
And just like that—
They walked away.
Together.
The study room door closed behind them with a soft but heavy sound.
I stood there, staring at that door.
My mind replaying what I heard earlier.
Kill everyone involved.
My fingers tightened slightly at my sides.
"…No," I whispered under my breath.
I shook my head.
"I'm not going to let him do that again."
The thought settled inside me.
Firm.
Determined.
I didn't fully understand his world.
But I knew one thing—
I wasn't going to stand there and watch him become that person again.
Not if I could stop it.
---
"Thinking too much?"
Elena's voice pulled me back.
I turned to her.
She was watching me with a small, knowing smile.
"…Maybe," I admitted.
She tilted her head slightly.
"About him?"
I didn't answer.
But that was answer enough.
She let out a soft breath.
"…You really are different."
I frowned slightly.
"What does that mean?"
She stepped closer, her gaze softening.
"I get it now."
"Get what?"
She smiled faintly.
"Why you and Luca look alike."
I blinked.
"…What?"
"You're both good-looking," she said casually. "It makes sense now. Brother and sister."
I almost laughed.
"Wow. That's your conclusion?"
"It's a good one."
I shook my head.
"You're unbelievable."
"I've been told that."
I was about to say something else—
But stopped.
Because suddenly—
I didn't want to talk about Ethan.
Or Luca.
Or anything heavy.
"…Do you want a drink?" I asked instead.
Elena's eyes lit up slightly.
"Now that sounds like a good idea."
---
We walked toward the bar kitchen together.
The space was quiet, elegant, filled with expensive bottles lined perfectly on the shelves.
Elena immediately reached for one.
"Let's not go easy," she said.
I raised an eyebrow.
"…Are you trying to get me drunk?"
"Maybe."
I laughed softly.
"Fine."
I grabbed two glasses.
She poured.
The liquid glinted under the soft lights.
We didn't say much.
Just small glances.
Small smiles.
Something about the silence felt… comfortable now.
---
We stepped outside.
The evening air greeted us instantly.
Cool.
Calm.
The sky painted in shades of orange and pink as the sun slowly dipped toward the horizon.
The swimming pool reflected the colors beautifully, the water shimmering like glass.
"…Wow," I murmured.
Elena looked around.
"Not bad."
We walked toward the poolside chairs and sat down.
I tucked my legs slightly, holding the glass in my hands.
For a moment—
Neither of us spoke.
We just watched the sunset.
---
"This is nice," I said softly.
"It is."
I took a small sip.
The warmth spread instantly.
Relaxing.
Easing the tension inside me.
Elena leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other.
"You needed this."
I glanced at her.
"…That obvious?"
"Yes."
I smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
She raised her glass slightly.
"To bad decisions."
I laughed.
"To surviving them."
Our glasses clinked lightly.
---
The silence returned.
But this time—
It felt peaceful.
Not heavy.
Not tense.
Just… quiet.
After a while, Elena spoke again.
"You care about him a lot."
I stared at the pool water.
"…I do."
"And you're worried."
I didn't deny it.
"…I am."
She took a slow sip.
"That's dangerous."
"I know."
"But you're still here."
I nodded.
"…Yes."
A small pause.
Then she said softly,
"You're going to get hurt."
The words weren't cruel.
They were honest.
I tightened my grip on the glass slightly.
"…Maybe."
She looked at me.
"Then why stay?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I didn't have a simple answer.
But after a moment—
I said quietly,
"…Because I think he's worth it."
Elena studied me for a second.
Then looked away.
"…Let's see."
---
The sky grew darker slowly.
The sun disappearing completely.
The lights around the pool turned on softly.
Reflecting in the water.
Creating a calm, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
I leaned back in my chair.
Breathing in the moment.
Trying to forget—
Even for a little while—
About everything else.
About Ethan.
About his world.
About what he was planning behind that closed door.
But deep down—
I knew.
This calm—
Wouldn't last long.
I swirled the drink slowly in my glass, watching the liquid catch the last traces of light from the poolside lamps. The air had turned cooler, and the quiet felt… comfortable now.
Elena sat beside me, relaxed, one arm resting on the chair, her gaze drifting lazily across the water.
I glanced at her.
Then—without thinking too much—
I asked, "Do you think my brother is attractive?"
She didn't even hesitate.
"Yes."
I blinked.
"…That fast?"
She turned her head toward me, completely serious.
"Very."
I tried to hold it in—
But a small smile escaped me.
"I knew it."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You knew what?"
"That you were looking at him," I said, leaning slightly closer. "Don't deny it."
She didn't.
Instead, she took a slow sip of her drink.
Then said casually,
"I wasn't trying to hide it."
I stared at her.
"…Wait, seriously?"
She shrugged.
"What's the point?"
I laughed softly, shaking my head.
"You're unbelievable."
"I've heard that already," she smirked.
I studied her face for a moment.
Then asked directly—
"Do you like him?"
There was a brief pause.
Not long.
Just enough to make it feel real.
Then she looked straight at me.
And said—
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No embarrassment.
Nothing.
Just honesty.
I blinked again.
"…That easily?"
She smiled faintly.
"Why not?"
I leaned back in my chair, letting out a quiet laugh.
"You're really something."
She tilted her head slightly, her expression soft but confident.
"He's attractive," she said. "Handsome. Calm. Protective."
She paused for a second.
Then added,
"Beautiful, in his own way."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Beautiful?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
I laughed again.
"If he hears that, he'll be confused."
"I doubt it," she replied.
I watched her for a moment longer.
The way she spoke about Luca—
It wasn't just casual interest.
There was something genuine there.
Something real.
And for some reason—
That made me feel… lighter.
---
She suddenly leaned a little closer to me.
Her tone shifting.
"Let's make a deal."
I looked at her.
"…What kind of deal?"
Her eyes sparkled slightly.
"We get close."
I blinked.
"…We already are, aren't we?"
She shook her head.
"No. I mean really close."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"Explain."
She smiled.
"You tell me everything about your brother."
"And?"
"And I'll tell you everything about Ethan."
My heart skipped slightly at that.
"…Everything?"
She nodded.
"Everything."
I hesitated.
Because part of me—
Really wanted to know.
About Ethan.
About his past.
About why he was the way he was.
About what she almost told me earlier…
But didn't.
And at the same time—
She wanted to know about Luca.
I looked at her.
"…You're serious."
"Completely."
I thought for a moment.
Then slowly—
I nodded.
"…Okay."
Her smile widened.
"Good."
She raised her glass again.
"To secrets."
I lifted mine too.
"…To secrets."
The glasses touched lightly.
---
She leaned back again, more relaxed now.
"So," she said, "you go first."
I sighed softly.
"Of course I do."
"Obviously."
I rolled my eyes slightly.
Then looked at the water.
Thinking.
"…Luca wasn't always like this," I began quietly.
She listened carefully.
Not interrupting.
"He became like this… after everything changed."
"What kind of change?" she asked softly.
I shook my head.
"That's a long story."
"I have time."
I glanced at her.
"…You're really serious about this, huh?"
"Yes."
I smiled faintly.
"Alright."
And just like that—
We started talking.
Not just surface-level things.
But real things.
Memories.
Habits.
Small details.
The kind of things only someone close would know.
She listened.
And when it was her turn—
She spoke about Ethan.
Not everything.
Not yet.
But enough to make me understand one thing—
There was a lot about him…
That I still didn't know.
---
Time passed without us noticing.
The drinks slowly emptied.
The night grew deeper.
And somewhere between laughter, secrets, and quiet moments—
We became something unexpected.
Not strangers.
Not just connected through Ethan.
But something closer.
Something real.
And as I sat there beside her—
I realized—
Maybe I wasn't alone in this anymore.