Melody's POV
I hadn't planned to bring Marc here so soon.
But something about the way he kept looking at the world like it was new made me want to share my world with him. Even the part I had once wanted to run away from.
We stood outside the tall building that towered above the street. Its walls were made of glass and steel, sharp and proud just like the man inside.
Marvis.
I took a deep breath.
Marc stood beside me, hands in his jacket pockets, glancing around. "So… this is where you work?"
I hesitated. The word work felt wrong in my mouth now. Things had changed between us between me and Marvis. There were too many memories in that office. Too many emotions I couldn't name.
Still, I nodded. "Kind of."
Marc didn't ask more. He followed me through the doors.
The building was quiet. Only the soft hum of machines and distant footsteps could be heard. We took the elevator to the top floor. My heart beat faster with every passing second. My palms felt damp.
I didn't know why I was nervous. It wasn't like Marvis hadn't seen me before. But now… things were different.
The elevator dinged. The doors opened.
And there he was standing by the wide window of his office, his back turned to us, hands in his pockets. The city lights reflected in the glass around him. He looked powerful, distant but unreadable.
"Marvis," I said softly.
He turned. For a second, his eyes flicked to mine. Then to Marc.
He raised an eyebrow. I took a step forward. "This is Marc. My twin brother."
Something shifted in Marvis's expression. It was subtle, but I saw it, the widening of his eyes, the tightening of his jaw. Then, like always, he masked it behind a nod.
Marc stepped forward, offering a small smile. "Nice to meet you, sir. Thanks for bringing me to her."
Marvis's lips curved slightly. "I figured Melody deserved answers."
Marc glanced at me, then looked back at him. "I've been looking for something my whole life. Turns out it was a sister."
That made Marvis smile just a little more, though it didn't reach his eyes.
I looked down, then tried to speak. "Marc is my…"
I stopped.
The word "boss" had been about to fall from my lips. But it didn't feel right. Not after everything. Not after the night he kicked me out. Not after I cried myself to sleep in my car, hoping the cold would numb my thoughts.
My hand clenched at my side. Marvis noticed.
He always noticed.
The air between us thickened. Marc looked between us with quiet curiosity.
I forced a small smile. "He's… someone important."
Marvis didn't say anything. He just studied me with those eyes that always saw too much. Eyes that had once softened for me.
Marc, thankfully, broke the silence. "You two seem like you have a lot of history."
Marvis's gaze didn't leave mine. "You could say that."
I cleared my throat. "Marc and I are going to start digging into our past. Try to find out more about what happened to our parents. There might still be something… or someone out there."
Marvis's face darkened, just for a second. "You sure that's a good idea?"
I straightened. "It's what I have to do."
He didn't argue. Just nodded slowly. "Then you should be careful."
Marc looked at me again, confused. "Is something wrong?"
I shook my head. "Not now. But there are people who don't like the truth getting out."
Marvis stepped forward, finally breaking the distance. His voice was quieter now, meant only for me. "If you need anything… I'm still here."
The way he said it made something flutter in my chest. But I didn't let it show.
"I'll be fine," I said softly.
Marc chuckled, pretending to break the tension. "You guys talk like secret agents. Should I be worried?"
I smiled a little. "Only if you plan on running."
He raised both hands playfully. "Not me. I just got my sister back. I'm not going anywhere."
Marvis's eyes stayed on me a few seconds longer. Then he stepped back.
"Take care of her," he told Marc.
Marc nodded, but I could tell he didn't fully understand what Marvis meant.
Neither did I.
Because part of me didn't want to be taken care of by anyone but him.