Chapter 4 - THE FLASHBACK

Lucian's POV

As I moved in, I saw Aunt Stepha lying on the bed, completely still.😥I felt numb and collapsed to my knees. Tears streamed down my face. I tried to get up, but I felt paralyzed.

Suddenly, my past came flowing back.

The Past

"Aunty! Aunty! Where's Mommy?"

"Lucian, she's in London. She'll arrive shortly, don't worry. Have you seen Sophie?"

"No, Aunty."

I ran toward the fountain. This was my home. But recently, Aunty had shifted in — because of some reason. Which reason? I didn't know.

Ha! Stupid Lucian.

"Hey Sophie! Aunty is searching for you! Where are you?" I shouted.

"Hey Lucy! Right here!" she replied.

She was behind the guava tree.

"Firstly, I am not Lucy,😆 understood? And secondly, why the hell are you hiding there?"

"No, there is no hell here. But surely, I see heaven — these fruits are so sweet! Maybe the angels eat them to sing sweetly!"

"Seriously, are you crazy? Come on, you like singing, but there's no way you're believing that."

"Fine!" she said, throwing a guava.

"Lucy! Help me!" she screamed.

Looks like she sprained her ankle.

"I am not Lucy—"

"Shut up! Ah! Lucy, it hurts!"

"Cut the crap! I am Lucian!" I shouted, almost bursting my throat.

Aunty came running into the garden.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Mama, I'm hungry," Sophie replied.

"Then come inside, or just stand here and fill your stomach with guavas!" Aunty scolded her.

I quietly slipped away and went toward the hedges. Since I had already eaten breakfast, I could just wander around.

I missed Mama. It seemed it would take a long time for her to return.

"Ah! Resh! Stop! You're hurting me! No—no! Leave Sophie!"😥

I heard Aunty screaming. I ran as fast as I could. And what I saw was... my uncle.

No. A monster.

He dragged Aunty by her hair toward the veranda. Sophie was crying in the corner. I wanted to hug her — but I had to wait.

"You are such a disgrace!" he shouted. "I should have never married this woman!"

He banged her head on the floor.

"Resh, please stop. I beg you! "

"I just want half of your sister's money . The Vale family is rich — you can easily give me what I want!"😧

"She earned it! She worked for it! She even let me move in, even when she has a son— you'll never get it! You don't deserve it!"

The monster threw his glass on the floor and stormed out, cursing Aunty.

"Aunty…" I hugged her. She was bleeding.💔

"Mama…" Sophie came running and hugged her too.

They went to the hospital that evening. I was alone at home.

I regretted everything. I couldn't help her.

Why am I so useless? Just a burden.

Later That Night

Knock… Knock… Ding ding ding!

Someone was outside.

The monster? Did he come back? No…

What should I do? Run? No. I am not a coward.

I'll fight. Help Aunt. Fight, Lucian. Fight.

I opened the door.

"LUCIANNNNNNNN!"

"Jayden???"

"Bro! How are you?" he asked.

I couldn't believe it — it was him.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked again.

"Nothing special. Come in," I replied.

"Bro, I just came here to tell you that my mom wants to meet you urgently. She seemed worried. Someone came to our home asking for your address."

"Why? Who came? No… my monster uncle?"

"Monster? Who? No, it's— it's… actually, just come, bro."

I followed him. His house was nearby, so we reached quickly.

"Welcome, Lucian. Come in," Jayden's mom greeted me.

"Thank you," I said.

"Dear, let's not beat around the bush. Actually, Mr. Stephen😲 — he wants to talk to you."

"Why?" I asked.

"Hello, Mr. Vale. I'm Stephen. I'm your lawyer."

"I don't need a lawyer, thanks," I said and turned to leave.

Not until—

"Your mom died… her private jet crashed😨. We don't know the reasons. So I brought her last will to you. Here, take it… and tell me when you're ready."

He handed me a small box and left.

The whole world around me felt numb. The box I was holding started getting wet — from my tears.

Why, Mom? Why?

My legs felt numb. I was like a dead body moving on its own. Jayden's mom kept calling after me, but my body didn't respond.

I didn't open the box — it said: "Open it when you realize you need to."

Aunt and I moved out from that place soon after and shifted to a new house.

Flashback Ends

Yes… Stephen. The guy outside the hospital. Stephen. I know him.

He didn't recognize me… did he?

The lawyer who gave me that box —He was here with that monster.

Stephen… but why?

I moved closer to Aunt's bed.The dim light in the room made it look calm, peaceful.

I dragged a stool behind me and sat beside her.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm useless. I wasn't able to protect Mom… I lost her. Now I can't bear another loss. I'll protect you. I'll kill anyone who tries to harm you or Sophie… even if it's that monster."

I clenched my fists.

"I think it's time to read those papers I never bothered to. I will find out the truth.

Who's Stephen? Was Mama's death an accident… or preplanned?🤯

I will. I promise, Aunt. I will."