Late that night, while Julian was quietly reading in his room, he noticed a black car driving into house along the roadway outside. It was Ethan's car.
It was already around ten o'clock.
A few moments later, faint voices drifted up from downstairs. Isabella's voice sounded unusually loud, as though she was arguing with someone. Then came the sound of footsteps climbing the staircase. The door to Ethan's room opened.
Not long after, a knock sounded at Julian's door.
Julian sets the book down on the table, removed his glasses and placed it on top of the pages before walking over to answer. When he opened the door slightly, he found Ethan standing there outside.
His eyes were hazy and bloodshot from drinking. Julian could sense a toxic cocktail. Yet there was something else hidden within his eyes frustration, resentment, and dissatisfaction.
Ethan offered a cold, mocking smile and asked to come in.
"Big brother... are you sleeping or busy? Mind if I come in for a moment?"
"Of course. Come in. You're home late today."
Julian stepped aside.
"And you've been drinking again. Try not to overdo it, alright?"
Ethan walked into the room and glanced around casually. Then he chuckled.
"Big brother... you've always been lucky, haven't you?"
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"What makes you say that?"
"You always get everything you want. Without even trying sometimes."
Ethan laughed bitterly. His gaze lowered.
"But for me... even when I try with everything I have, the very thing I want just slips through my fingers."
Julian immediately sensed that something was wrong. He pulled out a chair and gestured toward it.
"Sit down."
After Ethan sat, Julian sat on the opposite sofa, leaning forward to face his younger brother.
"Ethan... what's going on?"
His voice softened.
"Little brother…if you keep drinking like this and staying out so late, Mom won't be happy. At least try to make it home for family dinner once in a while. And try coming home earlier sometimes. I'm asking you, as your brother. Mom worries about you. We all do. You know you're a good kid."
For a brief moment, Ethan simply stared at him.
Julian had been more than an older brother throughout his life. Since childhood, Julian had protected him, guided him, and cleaned up countless messes he had created.
Despite not sharing the same mother, Julian had always treated Ethan and Lily as his real siblings. Perhaps that was why Ethan hated this feeling so much. The feeling of always standing in his brother's shadow.
Suddenly, Ethan spoke.
"Big brother…are you dating? Are you in a relationship?"
Julian paused and looked at him calmly.
"Why do you ask?"
"I'll be honest then. Are you dating Rosalie?"
Julian was silent for a moment before giving a faint smile.
"Yes…"
"Big brother... I'm going to be straight with you, man-to-man. Do you really love Rosalie Violet?"
The question caused Julian to pause. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips as he replied,
"Yes, little brother. I truly love and cherish her. I've planned my entire future with her."
His answer came without hesitation. His eyes softened. Ethan tilted his head slightly.
"So... you're serious."
"Very."
A faint smile remained on Julian's face.
"Why are you asking? Is there a problem?"
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
"You want me to become a better person, right?"
"Of course."
"So, you keep the hospital, the company, the shares, all of it."
Julian frowned slightly.
"I don't understand what you're trying to say."
A cold smile appeared on Ethan's lips.
"Simple."
His eyes locked onto Julian's.
"I won't take a single cent from the family."
His voice lowered.
"So… can you give Rosalie to me instead?"
For the first time that night, the smile disappeared from Julian's face. The room suddenly felt much colder. Yet when he finally spoke, his voice remained calm.
"Ethan."
He looked directly into his brother's eyes.
"Do you remember when I used to give you everything when we were kids? And do you remember the red sports car, the one I saved my salary to buy? And I gave it to you without a second thought."
Ethan frowned.
"Yeah…so what?"
Ethan replied coldly. Julian smiled faintly. He looked deep into Ethan's eye, his voice steady.
"Because it was just a car. That was just a material object."
Julian's expression became serious.
"Rosalie isn't."
His gaze remained steady. His voice softened.
"I don't love her because she's beautiful. I don't love her because she's special. I love her because who she is."
"Hahaha..."
He shook his head.
"Our calm and rational big brother has become a hopeless romantic."
Julian simply watched him quietly.
"Ethan... if you're too drunk, should I help you to your room?"
He stood up.
"Come on. Let's get you back to your room."
But Ethan waved him away. Slowly, he stepped closer. Their eyes met.
"No need. So, let me ask one last question. If you had to give up everything you own, all your wealth or maybe your life, would you still choose her?"
Without hesitation.
"Of course. I will still choose Rosalie."
Ethan's jaw tightened. Yet he laughed again.
"Fine…big brother, that's sound great…"
He turned toward the door.
"Stay in love, big brother."
His hand gripped the doorknob. Then he glanced back one final time. There was something unsettling hidden behind his smile. Something that felt almost like a warning.
"Alright, big brother…get some rest. I'm going back to my room. Good night."
Bang.
The door slammed shut behind him. Julian remained seated on the sofa. His eyes drifted toward the dark window. For some reason, an uneasy feeling settled heavily in his chest.
Something was coming. And he could feel it.
---
After returning to his room, Ethan threw himself onto the bed without even removing his shoes.
He stared up at the ceiling, a wry, mocking smile spreading across his face.
Suddenly, his phone began to ring. He pulled it from his pocket and answered.
"…"
"Kakamora…Boss, we've sent the surveillance photos to your account we've been tracking lately."
"I already did."
"And Boss wants to see you. He's pissed that you've been ignoring his calls."
"I know."
The call ended.
Ethan opened the chat and slowly scrolled through the photos. Photo after photo. A twisted smile gradually appeared on Ethan's face. His eyes darkened.
Then he chuckled coldly and threw his phone against the wall.
Crash!
The device slammed into the wall and shattered onto the floor. Ethan leaned back against the headboard. A low laugh escaped his lips.
"Just wait..."