Ryan's hand hovered over the doorknob.
Just one twist. Just one click.
Kia was right outside. Kia, who had carried his children upstairs so gently. Kia, who had looked at him like he was something precious.
And God… he wanted to open that door.
His heart ached to.
But his brain—his memories—rose like a dark tide.
The graduation day.
Ryan could still see it as clearly as though it happened an hour ago.
Kia standing there, holding his brother's hand… his brother's hand, as if Ryan had never mattered.
Those words that had shattered him: "Let's break up… it's better this way."
Kia didn't even fight.
Didn't argue.
Didn't question.
Didn't defend their love.
Ryan had been holding a small envelope that day — the pregnancy test.
He'd planned to show Kia… to tell him they were having a baby.
But before he could speak, Kia had thrown their entire future away.
Then came his parents. How his father beat him like he was some bunching bag and how their eyes is always filled with disappointment, disgust, and shame for him.
But when they saw his brother? Love. Always love for the wrong child. Never for him.
He remembered hiding his stomach.
He remembered the insults.
He remembered crying until he couldn't breathe.
And he remembered making the hardest decision of his life:
Run.
Run far away.
Protect the life inside him.
Even if he had to do it alone.
He remembered landing abroad with almost no money.
Working three jobs while pregnant.
Crying quietly at night but never letting his babies feel his fear.
Giving birth to two tiny miracles — his twins — alone, exhausted, terrified, but grateful.
He raised them.
He built himself.
He became strong for them.
He swore never to rely on anyone ever again.
Never to let anyone close enough to destroy him again.
But now Kia was back…
and he was right outside the door, knocking softly like he had every right to be near him.
Ryan pressed his forehead to the door, fingers trembling against the wood.
His heart whispered: Open it.
His brain screamed: Don't be stupid again.
He squeezed his eyes shut as a soft, low voice came from outside:
"Ryan… please."
His breath hitched.
Why was this happening again?
Why now?
Why did Kia's voice still have the power to shake his whole world?
Ryan swallowed hard and forced himself to step back from the door.
"No," he whispered to himself.
"No… I can't let myself fall again."
Because no matter how much he wanted to open the door…
He remembered.
He remembered every reason he shouldn't.