After realizing his mom hadn't yet returned, Grey decided to use the time to clean up. Ken wasn't home either, making it the perfect opportunity to tidy without distractions. With the house quiet for once, Grey quickly swept through his chores—picking up clothes, organizing his workspace, and straightening the mess that had built up over the week.
Once done, he took a quick shower, then settled into his usual spot at the corner of the room, where his laptop sat waiting. He opened his bookmarks, heart lifting when he saw that Singularity's Echo had been updated.
In the latest chapter, the protagonist, Timmy, found himself in grave danger.
He had just discovered that the planet he lived on was home to other deities—deities far more powerful than him. While Timmy's divine abilities were immense, they were only temporary, limited by his need to return to his domain to recharge. These new deities, however, were permanent—unchanging and ever-present. Fortunately, they hadn't yet discovered Timmy... or the newly-arrived deity that had just emerged. Still, the threat was real. Timmy couldn't afford to let his guard down. The balance of power had shifted, and the stakes were higher than ever.
Grey lost track of time, completely immersed in the unfolding narrative, until a sharp knock broke his concentration.
"Eren!" Ken's voice rang out from the hallway. "Mum and Dad are home. They have something important to tell us. Get yourself to the dining room, or I'll tell them you're refusing to come!"
"Okay! Okay! I'm coming. Just give me a minute," Grey called back, reluctantly closing the lid of his laptop. He took a deep breath, stood up, and made his way downstairs.
His parents and Ken were already seated around the dining table, waiting.
"Hi, Mum. Hi, Dad. Hope you both had a great day," Grey said politely as he took his seat.
"We did, son," his mother replied with a warm smile. "But we also have some good news… and some bad news."
"Actually," Mr. Anderson added, his tone firm but calm, "it's more of a life update—for both you and Ken."
He looked between the two brothers before continuing.
"Your mother and I have made a decision. We're leaving the house to you, Grey. The bad news is, you'll have to share it with your brother." He paused for effect. "We're moving to Madagascar. A long-term business opportunity came up—family-related. The work could take years. We don't know exactly how long, but for now, the house is yours. Both of yours."
"You're adults now," he continued. "It's time to start managing your own lives. Given the nature of our work, we may not be able to contact you often. Once or twice a week, maybe, once we're settled. We expect you to behave—and to take care of the house."
Grey's heart leapt at the news... and then dropped just as quickly.
It was amazing that his parents were finally leaving. But why did he have to share the house with Ken?
Ken was loud, disruptive, and constantly in the way—especially when Grey was trying to write. Still, he didn't voice his frustration. Complaining would only annoy his father, and that never ended well.
"No problem, Dad," Ken replied cheerfully, wearing his usual grin. "We'll take care of ourselves. Nothing to worry about."
"Yep," Grey muttered internally. "We'll be just fine. Totally comfortable sharing space with Ken."Out loud, he forced a smile. "Thanks for trusting us, Dad. We'll manage."
"You're dismissed," Mr. Anderson said simply. "We leave in two days."
With that, he stood from the table, walked to the living room, and switched on the TV. As expected, he settled into his usual spot—his sleek, grey leather armchair—tuned into CNN, watching the latest headlines scroll across the screen.
Mr. Anderson was a man of principle. His naturally grey hair and sharp brown eyes gave him a commanding presence. Built like a soldier—muscular, tall, and perfectly composed—he valued order, discipline, and quiet. Every evening after work—he claimed to be a geologist, though Grey had his doubts—he followed the same routine: sit, switch on the news, and say little.
Mrs. Anderson, by contrast, was a woman of many talents. A brilliant surgeon and psychologist, she had a surprisingly deep love for loud country music, which she played whenever she cooked. It always struck Grey as odd—someone so professional singing along to banjos and fiddles while stirring a pot. After making meals, she often retreated to her study for online consultations, offering advice to patients on how to improve their lives. She was strict, but never as severe as her husband. Life with her was more manageable.
She had a nosy streak, though—especially when it came to Ken's personal life.
"Why are you still single, Ken?" she'd often ask, her voice filled with genuine curiosity and a touch of motherly pressure.
Grey sometimes wondered if being single ran in the family. After all, Mr. Anderson hadn't married until he was 35. A man with that kind of physique, magnetic charm, and financial empire could have married anyone, anytime. It didn't add up.
Grey had long suspected that his father wasn't just a geologist. Who ever heard of a geologist earning millions? The man was clearly involved in something else—maybe something shady. But Grey didn't mind. As long as there was food on the table, a stable internet connection, and money to buy novels, he didn't care what his father did behind the scenes.
Still, with his parents preparing to leave, Grey felt like the door to his own life was finally cracking open. He was finally going to be in control.
He also suspected that his inability to land a job had something to do with his father's influence—subtle but effective interference. With them gone, maybe that invisible barrier would finally disappear. Maybe things could change.
What he didn't expect was the increase in his monthly allowance. But who was he to complain? He wasn't foolish. He knew how lucky he was—he had friends who worked tirelessly just to afford rent and groceries. So even with all that privilege, he never let it turn into arrogance.
His dream of becoming a spy still burned strong. And once his parents were gone, he intended to start digging—into everything they'd kept hidden.
He was certain they were hiding something. Everyone had secrets, but his parents were masters at it. What bothered Grey most was that his older brother, Ken, seemed to be in on it. Grey didn't know how, but he was 100% sure that Ken knew more than he let on.
That was a problem for another day.
After dinner, Grey ate quietly, barely tasting the food. His mind was racing. When he finally returned to his room, he reopened Singularity's Echo and lost himself once more in the world of gods and secrets.
Eventually, sleep claimed him—dragging him into a restless dream filled with espionage, divine threats, and questions that refused to be answered.