Bella didn't say a word to her brother as she drove them home. The silence in the car was thick, broken only by the sound of the engine.
"Noona... mianhae," Jayden muttered, voice low.
Bella kept her eyes on the road.
"Noona, jinjja mianhae," he repeated, almost pleading.
"Wae? Why are you sorry? I'm not the one you should be apologising to." Bella's tone was calm but firm.
She suddenly remembered the man she had seen Jayden talking to before she reached him the one with striking white-blonde hair. Her brows furrowed.
"By the way, who was that man you were talking to? You both looked serious." Bella glanced at Jayden before focusing back on the road.
Jayden frowned. "Which man?"
"The one with white-blonde hair. Before I came over, I saw you standing with him. He... kind of looked like Dad," Bella said quietly.
Jayden let out a short laugh. "Oh, him? He just asked for directions. And no way, that couldn't be Dad. I've seen his photos that guy looked nothing like him. Honestly, I hope I meet him one day. He deserves a punch in the face for what he did to Mum."
Bella's grip on the steering wheel tightened. She didn't reply, but anger stirred in her chest. Twice now she had seen someone who looked like their father.
She cleared her throat. "Why does Kayden think you broke his relationship with Natalie? Wasn't that her name?"
Jayden shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, Natalie."
"So... what happened?" Bella pressed.
Jayden sighed. "It was three years ago. Natalie was supposed to sleep over at our place. She'd been drinking we all had. After I got out of the shower, still in my towel, she walked into my room. She probably thought I was Kay. She came close, wanted to keep going from where they left off. I pushed her away but she fell onto the bed, pulling my towel with her. I was completely naked when Kayden walked in."
Bella gasped. "So it looked like"
"Exactly. It looked like something happened, but nothing did. Kay didn't believe me. He never gave me the chance to explain." Jayden's voice carried frustration and regret.
Bella sighed. "And have you ever explained it the way you just told me?"
"He wouldn't let me. He just decided I betrayed him."
"Well, you have to try again. Three years is a long time to hold on to this. No wonder he's resentful."
Jayden looked at her, guilt in his eyes. "I fucked up, didn't I?"
"Big time," Bella said softly. "And now you're dating Veronica the girl he likes. Just put yourself in his shoes."
Jayden leaned back against the seat. "But Noona... I really like Veronica. She's the first girl I've ever felt this way about."
"I get it, Jay. But I can't fix this for you. Kayden already thinks I don't care about him." Bella's words stung her as she said them.
"I understand. Just... don't tell Mum about tonight, okay? She doesn't need the stress with the wedding."
Bella winced. "Oops. Too late. I called her. She'd have found out anyway."
Jayden groaned. "You really can't hold your tongue."
"What did you expect me to do? You stormed out of the house. You don't even know how to drive properly. I couldn't risk you getting into an accident."
Jayden's expression softened. "I'm sorry I made you worry."
"It's fine. What are siblings for?" Bella said with a small smile.
"But do you think Mum will be mad at me?"
"Of course she will. You broke her flower vase."
"That wasn't intentional!" Jayden said quickly. "Kayden threw the first punch, I stumbled into it."
"Then tell that to Mum, not me." Bella rolled her eyes playfully.
They pulled up to their house when Bella noticed a sleek black sports car parked at the front.
"Isn't that Chris's car?" Jayden asked.
"I think it is... but why is he here? He didn't mention coming over."
Before Bella could process it further, Chris jumped out of the car and strode quickly toward them. He opened Bella's door, his face etched with worry.
"Babe, are you okay?" he asked, gently lifting her chin to check her face.
Bella blinked in surprise. His worry felt raw, urgent.
Jayden cleared his throat loudly, but Chris didn't spare him a glance. His hands trailed down Bella's arms, checking her as if she'd just survived an accident.
"Chris, I'm fine," Bella said, chuckling softly at his intensity.
"Are you sure? You sounded like you were in danger earlier." His gaze searched her face, unwilling to let go.
Bella remembered how abruptly she had ended their call earlier. No wonder he had panicked.
"I'm sorry I worried you. I'm fine, really." She smiled, stepping out of the car.
Chris pulled her into his arms immediately, holding her so tightly it made Bella's chest swell. He nuzzled his face into her hair, breathing her in, grounding himself.
Bella smiled against his chest. For the first time that evening, the chaos faded.
"You scared the living hell out of me," Chris said after breaking the hug. His eyes scanned Bella's face again, as if reassuring himself she was safe.
Bella smiled. "I never knew anything could scare the great Christian Hampson."
Chris chuckled, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Plenty of things scare me. I've just learned how to hide it."
"Well, there's one thing you shouldn't be scared of." Bella's smile widened.
"And what's that?"
"Me not being safe. I'm a big girl, you know." She laughed.
Chris shook his head with a grin. "I thought you were going to say I shouldn't be scared of your driving. Have you seen yourself behind the wheel?"
Bella gasped. "Really? Even you? I'm not that bad of a driver!"
"I admire your optimism," Chris teased, laughing before pulling her into another hug. His voice softened. "I missed you like crazy."
Bella leaned against him. "You might not believe it, but I missed you too."
Chris pulled back sharply, surprise written across his face. "You missed me?" His eyes lit up.
"I did. Do you know how many times I picked up my phone to call you? I always dropped it again because I didn't want to interrupt your meetings." Bella's voice was shy, but her smile was bright.
Chris grinned, warmth flooding him. "Bella, even if I couldn't pick up right away, I would always call you back. You can call me anytime."
"Okay. I'll keep that in mind," she said softly.
Chris took her hands, then frowned. "Your hands are freezing."
"You worry too much. I just didn't wear gloves." Bella rolled her eyes playfully.
Jayden, who had been standing there awkwardly, finally decided to escape the romantic scene. He headed inside the house, leaving the two of them outside.
Vera was in the living room when Jayden walked in.
"Hi, Mum. Good evening," Jayden greeted with a slight bow.
Vera's eyes narrowed. "What's so good about the evening, Jayden? Tell me." Her voice rose.
Jayden sighed. "Mum, stop being dramatic. I didn't do anything wrong except drive Ella's car."
"Except drive her car? Do you want to kill me?" Vera snapped. "What on earth were you thinking?"
"What matters is that I'm fine." Jayden brushed past toward the stairs.
"Don't walk away from me. Why did you hit your brother? And where's Ella?" Vera's tone sharpened.
Jayden froze, then turned slowly. "Mum, he was being an ass. He punched me first, so I punched him back."
"You taught your twin a lesson? By breaking his nose?" Vera lunged forward, grabbing his ear.
"Ah! Ah, Mum, that hurts!" Jayden bent, trying to free himself.
"My son's nose hurts more! How do you expect him to attend my wedding with a broken nose?" Vera twisted harder.
"Oma, jebal!" Jayden yelped as Raquel ran downstairs.
"Mum, please!" Raquel tried to pry her hands off.
"Mum, this is child molestation!" Jayden cried dramatically.
That only made Vera let go of his ear, storm off into the kitchen, and return seconds later with a dry mop stick in her hand.
Jayden's eyes widened. "Mum, I was joking! You know I was joking!" He began circling the living room as Vera followed, brandishing the mop.
"I'll show you child molestation," Vera snapped. "You think because you're nineteen you can send me to jail?!" She swung the mop, hitting him on the neck.
"Mum, I'm sorry!" Jayden yelped, shielding himself with his arms.
The noise carried outside. Bella and Chris exchanged worried glances before rushing in. Upstairs, Raquel was already dialing her father's number in panic.
Kayden, hearing the commotion, raced downstairs and froze at the sight: his mum chasing his twin with a mop.
"I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget," Vera shouted, raising the stick again.
But before it could land, a strong hand caught her wrist.
"Babe, stop. Please." Joe's voice was calm but firm.
Bella and Chris hurried to grab the mop from her. Vera sagged to the floor, suddenly drained.
Bella and Chris guided Jayden upstairs to his room. His nose still throbbed, but he managed to crack a joke. "I think Mum just unlocked a new side of herself. Remind me never to joke about social workers again."
Downstairs, Kayden, Raquel, and Joe sat silently, watching Vera. Tears streamed down her face as guilt overtook her anger. She whispered, almost to herself, "I've failed. I thought I raised you all better than this. My sons shouldn't be breaking each other's bones... and one of them shouldn't even joke about reporting me."
Joe knelt beside her, wrapping her in his arms. "You haven't failed. You're tired, that's all. We'll fix this together."
Vera buried her face against his shoulder and sobbed.