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Noah had barely left Nerav when he reached the hospital garden, eyes scanning desperately for Yunah. His steps quickened the moment he saw her walking from the opposite side. A warm, relieved smile stretched across his face — hands tucked into his hoodie pocket, heart calming now that he'd found her.
But the moment he reached her… she walked right past him.
Like he was air.
Like he was a stranger.
The smile died instantly. A sharp pain punched through his chest.
"Di…" Noah turned, calling softly at first, then louder, but Yunah didn't spare him even a glance. She kept walking, her footsteps cold and steady.
"Di!" He ran after her, grabbed her hand — not harshly, just desperately. "What happened? Why are you ignoring me?" His voice cracked with anxiety. "Did I… do something?"
Yunah finally stopped. Her eyes lifted to his, and they were nothing like before. Cold. Hurt. Disappointed.
"You," she said, voice trembling with anger, "you dare ask me that after lying to me about everything?"
Noah felt his stomach sink.
His lips parted, but no words came out.
"L-Lying? W-What do you mean, di?" he stuttered, already knowing exactly what she meant. She had recognized Nerav. She finally knew.
"Don't pretend now." Her voice rose sharply as she yanked her hand from his. "You were the one behind that cheap apartment, weren't you?"
Noah's head dropped instantly — shame, fear, helplessness crashing together inside him. He didn't know how to fix it. He didn't know how to calm her.
"Answer me!" Yunah shouted, her voice echoing through the garden. "Don't keep your head down now!"
Her anger sharpened further, slicing right through him. "Was it fun? Huh?" Her voice shook, eyes glistening. "Was it fun fooling me like that? Watching me believe all that nonsense? Did my helplessness entertain you that much?!"
Noah shook his head immediately, breath trembling. Words wouldn't come.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered finally, forcing himself to speak. "I—I just wanted to sta—"
"Stop." Yunah cut him off sharply. "Enough excuses. I'm done, Noah." Her voice dropped lower, colder. "Don't you dare come near me again. I'll tell Yogesh to get all our things out of your apartment."
Noah's heart cracked. He stepped forward, voice trembling. "No… Di, please." His tone was shaking, fragile. "Don't do this to me. I'm sorry. I just wanted you to live comfortably...."
"Comfortably?" she scoffed loudly, eyebrows lifting. "Are you talking about my comfort or yours? Because I've lived in four walls all my life. You're the young master who needs luxury, not me."
"I swear, di… I swear everything I did was for you," Noah said, desperation tightening every word. "If you don't want to stay there, okay… okay. But don't say we're done. Please don't say that."
"For me?" Yunah let out a humorless laugh, brushing her hair back. "You did all this for yourself, Noah. For your own satisfaction. I was stupid enough to trust you." Her voice lowered, heavy with betrayal. "Now I don't know what part of what you said was true… or if you were lying from the beginning."
"Di, please…" Noah's voice cracked. "Believe me this one time. Yes, I lied — but only because I knew you'd reject it if I asked openly. My intentions were never wrong. I just wanted you to live somewhere safe and—"
"Are you done?" Yunah asked coldly.
Noah stopped speaking immediately.
"I hate liars," she said, every word sharp and icy. "Don't expect me to trust you again. I'll have our things moved tomorrow. And Noah…" She looked at him, eyes empty of warmth. "Don't ever come near us again."
Noah's eyes filled with tears that refused to fall. His lips trembled, but no sound came out.
"I really thought you were different," she whispered, voice breaking for a moment before hardening again. "Turns out you're worse than the others."
She turned and walked away.
Noah didn't move.
Couldn't.
He stood frozen, watching her leave, every step of hers tearing him apart. He wanted to run after her — beg, explain — but he couldn't. His foot were not moving like someone tied it up with a thick chain.
**************
Few Moments Later.
The door to Noah's ward clicked open, and Noah stormed inside with a murderous aura so thick it made the air feel heavy. Nerav, who had stayed behind to watch him for the night, froze instantly. A chill crawled down his spine.
Noah had walked out just half an hour ago in a good mood. Now he looked like he'd kill someone without blinking.
Nerav frowned, confused.
"What happened? Did you fight with your girl— or should I say, woman?" he asked casually, though inside he was trembling. His brother's aura was enough to suffocate someone.
"Don't talk to me." Noah's voice was sharp, dangerous — a command that echoed through the room. He sat on the bed with his back to his brother, gripping the edge until his knuckles turned white. "This is all your fault. So shut your mouth."
"My fault?" Nerav glared at Noah's back.
"How is it suddenly my fault? I haven't even moved from this room. How did I—"
"I told you you shouldn't have come!"
Noah jolted up, fury snapping through him. He kicked the side table, sending the fruit bowl and everything else clattering violently to the floor.
Nerav flinched.
"Now she knows," Noah spat, turning around — anger cracking into something rawer, colder. "She knows who I am. She knows I lied about the apartment. And the worst is…"
His voice broke.
For the first time, Noah's expression held something Nerav had never seen on him — real fear. Real hurt.
"She doesn't want to see me anymore," he whispered. "I… I don't know what to do."
He looked utterly defeated. Sadness, guilt, and heartbreak clouded his eyes — emotions Noah had never let anyone witness.
Nerav's breath hitched.
This… was new.
This was the brother he had always wanted — a real one, a human one. Not the cold, unshakable monster Noah had been all his life.
Instead of feeling sad, Nerav felt something warm bloom inside him.
He stepped forward quietly, then wrapped Noah in a tight, firm hug — as if holding him together when Noah himself was falling apart. He tapped his back gently, voice thick with emotion.
"It's okay… she'll forgive you," Nerav whispered, tears filling his eyes. "I promise. I'll fix everything. Your brother will make it right."