CHAPTER 2
Nathan's POV
By the time I made it downstairs, I had already braced myself. To adjust to this new life.
But—
Someone else was already seated at the table apart from Chris and my mom.
He looked up the moment I stepped in.
And for a second—
I could have sworn everything slowed.
He was… soft. Not in a weak way.
But in a way that felt easy. Calm.
His features were sharp, but not harsh. His eyes warm. And when he smiled—
It was effortless. Beautiful.
I didn't realize I had smiled back until he stood up.
"You must be Nathan," he said.
His voice matched him.
Gentle.
"Yes…" I said, my voice sounded weird
"I'm Zane." He noticed.He laughed
Before I could react, he reached for my hand.
And shook it.
His grip was warm. Steady.
"Welcome," he said.
Something in my chest eased.
Just a little.
Then—
"You guys aren't thinking of starting without me now."
Kieran.
I turned.
He walked in like he owned the place.
But technically he did.
Like everything—and everyone—was beneath him.
That smirk sitting lazily on his face.
Chris didn't even look pleased.
"Sit your ass down."
Kieran chuckled under his breath but obeyed.
He took the seat beside me.
Too close.
I could feel him there.
Even without looking.
Dinner began.
Silence at first.
Then—
Chris spoke.
"Nathan."
I looked up immediately.
"You'll need a haircut."
The words caught me off guard.
"To look more presentable," he added. "More… appropriate."
More appropriate for what? I thought.
But said nothing.
I instinctively looked at my mother.
She just smiled.
That hurt more than it should have.
"And your last name," Chris continued.
"You'll be changing it."
My head snapped up.
For a moment, I thought I misheard.
But no one else reacted.
My mother avoided my eyes.
"Would that be a problem?" Chris asked.
I opened my mouth—
"Why would it be?"
Kieran.
"It's not like his last name amounts to anything anyway."
My hand tightened around my spoon.
I swallowed.
Hard.
I looked at my mother again.
She said nothing. Didn't even react.
Kieran leaned forward slightly, picking food straight from my plate.
"Be civilized," Chris said sharply.
Kieran ignored him.
"I'm sure my baby stepbrother doesn't mind," he added, resting his chin on his hand as he watched me.
"Kieran, come on," Zane said, his tone low.
Kieran's eyes flicked to him.
Then he smirked.
And leaned back.
"I'm full, actually."
He stood up.
"Excuse me from this… graceful gathering."
Sarcasm dripped from every word.
Chris didn't respond immediately.
But I could see it.
The anger.
"Don't worry, uncle," Zane said, standing up. "I'll talk to him."
Chris nodded once.
"Thank you, Zane."
Zane gave me one last glance.
A small smile. Then left.
Chris left afterwards.
And just like that—
The room felt empty again.
A few seconds passed.
Then my mother stood up.
Without a word.
Without looking at me.
She left too.
I sat there.
Alone.
The food in front of me untouched.
This was supposed to be a new beginning.
But it already felt like something was slipping.
Something I couldn't hold onto.
After a while, I stood up.
I didn't want to sit there any longer.
—
The house felt even bigger upstairs.
Quieter.
I walked slowly, trying to remember the way back.
Left.
Right.
Another turn.
Then—
Nothing looked familiar.
I stopped.
"…Great."
I was lost.
I turned again—
And saw a door open.
Zane stepped out
For a moment—
That same feeling came back
Relief.
He looked up and smiled.
And again—
I smiled back without meaning to.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"You heading to your room?" he asked.
"Yeah… I mean—I was."
He tilted his head slightly.
"I'm lost."
He laughed softly.
Gosh. How nice it sounded.
"Yeah. That happens," he said. "I used to get lost here when I was younger."
I smiled.
"Don't be embarrassed," he said with a grin. "Come on. I'll walk you."
I nodded.
We started walking together.
"So… how's fitting in going?" he asked.
"Well....it could be worse."
"It gets easier."
"I hope so."
"It will," he said simply.
And for some reason—
I believed him.
We stopped in front of a door.
"I think this is it."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
There was a pause.
Then his eyes shifted slightly.
To my hair.
A small laugh escaped him.
I frowned slightly.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said quickly. "It just… suits you. You look good with a long hair."
My chest tightened.
"Can I…?"
He hesitated.
"Can I touch it?"
I blinked. He wants to touch my hair?
"…Okay."
Slowly—
He reached out.
His fingers brushed against my hair.
Soft.
Careful.
He ran his hand through it gently.
And I—
Closed my eyes. Without thinking.
His fingers lingered slightly longer than necessary.
Moving a strand away from my face.
Barely touching my skin.
I swallowed.
Opened my eyes—
And then—
"What's going on here?"
Kieran.
Zane pulled his hand back immediately.
"Hey, K," he said casually.
Kieran walked toward us slowly.
His eyes locked on me.
Sharp.
Uncomfortable.
I stepped back slightly.
"Thanks," I muttered quickly, turning to Zane.
And before anything else could happen—
I went into my room and shut the door.
My heart was racing.
I leaned against it for a second.
Then—
I pressed my ear to the door.
"What the hell was that?" Kieran's voice came through.
"Nothing, man," Zane replied. "I've gotta go. My old man's been ringing me up."
A pause.
Then footsteps.
Fading.
Silence.
I stepped back slowly.
I sighed looking at the bed.
"Don't get tempted Nathan," I said to myself, then I laid on the bed.
"Lord help me," I whispered.
-----
Kieran's POV
The door to my room clicked open.
I stepped inside and saw the envelope sitting on the desk.
There was no name. I had hired a detective to look into this new family of mine.
I ran my fingers over the edge of the envelope before ripping it open.
The papers inside were exactly what I had expected.
The information I could use to send both Nathan and his mother packing.
I wasn't expecting any surprises.
His past. His mother's debts. The mess they'd left behind in Raventon.
The whispers about Nathan having sexual affairs with an older man.
Well...he has the face.
I smirked.
But something caught me off guard.
Something buried deeper in the report.
A case file.
Not confirmed. Not resolved.
The boy who looked like he couldn't even hurt a fly…
was connected to a death.
He was wanted for a case involving murder in Raventon.
Never trust a book by its cover.
My fingers tapped lightly against the paper.
There were so many ways I could use this.
But I wasn't going to use it yet.
I was curious.
Let see how long you can keep that innocent face of yours.
This… was going to be fun.
-----
The next morning
Nathan's POV
I tried not to look at the mirror as I walked past it.
But I couldn't help it.
I couldn't look away.
The reflection staring back at me felt wrong. Almost foreign.
I had just stepped down from the stairs, having gotten ready as Chris had instructed.
The house, the meals, the air around me—it was all about control.
Every moment was meticulously crafted for perfection. For order.
And now my hair—long and untamed, a part of me, was gone.
Stripped away.
My fingers reached up instinctively to touch the short strands now framing my face.
I barely recognized myself.
It felt like I had lost something real, a part of me.
A small act, yet somehow it meant everything.
The maid had finished cutting it, but I still couldn't shake the feeling of being changed, molded into someone else's vision.
A soft knock at the door snapped me from my thoughts.
"Yes?" I said, my voice hoarse.
The door opened.
It was mom.
She smiled at me, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't the smile I remembered from back in Raventon. It was something… forced.
"Well... You look good, Nathan."
She said it like she was trying to convince herself.
And I couldn't blame her.
Anyone would kill to be in their position, right now.
I didn't say anything, just smiled.
Then she reached for my hands.
Her grip was warm. Familiar.
"This is a new beginning for us," she said softly. "I know it may not be what you expected… but this—this is our second chance to be happy."
I nodded.
"I know, Mom."
I forced a small smile.
"I won't disappoint you again. I won't make the same mistake."
I pulled her into a hug.
She held me tightly, like she was afraid I might slip away if she didn't.
Then she kissed the top of my head.
"Are you happy?" I asked quietly.
She pulled back just enough to look at me.
"Why wouldn't I be?" she said, smiling.
There was a pause.
Just a second too long.
But she still smiled.
She lingered in the doorway for a moment, watching me like she wanted to say more but couldn't find the words.
"I'll be downstairs," she said softly.
Then she left.
I stood there for a long time after the door closed.
Still.
Quiet.
My eyes drifted to the mirror.
My reflection stared back at me.
But it didn't feel like mine anymore.
Not really.
I sighed.