———————
At Serenity Villa — Living Room
Noah stepped out of the shadows, his aura heavy, the silence suffocating. He froze when the cold barrel of a gun pressed against his temple.
"Got you…" a voice whispered, low and smug.
Noah didn't flinch. Instead, his lips curled into a dark smirk. "Da, can you stop playing mafia-mafia with me?" His voice was calm, deep, carrying a hint of warning. "One day, I might actually pull the trigger first… by mistake."
The figure sighed, lowering the gun. A click echoed as the lights came on, revealing Nerav Shrestha—Noah's elder brother. Sharp in a navy-blue tuxedo, hair slicked back, he looked every bit the successful chairman of N&N Enterprises. Mature, handsome, and commanding—yet Noah's presence still overshadowed him.
"Yahh!" Nerav grinned, sliding the gun into his pocket. His voice carried teasing warmth only a big brother could muster. "How do you always catch me, even in pitch dark?"
Noah sat down on the couch, posture cold and regal. His expression betrayed nothing. "Because you're my brother. I know you better than you know yourself."
"Ohh, I'm touched." Nerav clutched his chest dramatically, collapsing onto the couch beside him with a mock-swoon. "My cold little brother just admitted indirectly that he cares about me."
"Stop your overacting," Noah said flatly, his eyes narrowing. "Why are you here?"
The playful glint in Nerav's eyes dimmed. He leaned forward, fingers interlaced, tone dropping heavy. "Did you…" He hesitated, then forced it out. "Did you kill them?"
Noah's laugh rang out, sharp and hollow, echoing through the villa. He tilted his head, a psychotic smile cutting across his face. "You came all this way to ask me that? A phone call would've been enough." He leaned back, eyes gleaming like a predator. "You know me, Da. So, you already know exactly what I would've done to them."
Nerav's gaze faltered. He couldn't meet those eyes—eyes that carried both brilliance and madness. "I know what you're capable of. And it's my fault…" His voice cracked with guilt. "It should have been me carrying Shadowveil. But I let you take my place. You walked into the darkness so I could chase my dreams. I've been selfish… I'm ashamed of myself as your brother."
"It was never your fault." Noah's tone softened—only for a breath. "It was my choice. Since childhood, you knew I was… different. For a guy like me, this path fits me better than the light ever could."
"What do you mean 'a guy like you'?" Nerav turned towards him holding his hand warmly, being desperate. "You're not a monster, Noah. You were made into one by Grandfather. But you can still choose differently. Come with me. Say the word and I'll fight him myself—"
"You think you can fight him?" Noah cut him off, coldly brushing away his brother's hand. "Either you or me, Da. I decided it would be me. End of discussion." He stood, the room instantly heavier. "You came because of those two bastards, didn't you? Don't worry. They're still alive—for now."
Nerav clenched his jaw. "Then I'll stay here tonight. At least let me do that."
"Do as you like. Just don't get in my way." Noah turned to leave, but Nerav's next words halted him mid-step.
"I heard you took them hostage… because of a girl." Nerav's voice sharpened. "Older than you, by five years."
Noah froze. Slowly, he turned, eyes burning. "You've been digging into my life again?" His voice dropped lower, dangerous. "I told you—stay out of my business."
"So, I'm right," Nerav pressed, ignoring his brother's glare. "She must mean something to you, if just mentioning her makes you snap. But Noah… can you really protect her? You know what it means to wear Shadowveil's crown. Enemies everywhere. They'll come for your weakness. Can you keep her safe in this world?"
Noah's lips curled into a feral smile. His eyes glinted red with murderous instinct. "If anyone so much as touches a single strand of her hair, I'll make them suffer worse than those two bastards. I'll make them beg for death."
A shiver ran down Nerav's spine. He looked at his brother with a mix of fear and sorrow. "Sometimes… you scare me, Noah."
Noah didn't answer. He walked out, leaving the echo of his footsteps behind, and Nerav sat alone in silence. He stared at the empty space, heavy with regret. He had tried countless times to free his brother from this cursed path, but Shadowveil's chains ran too deep.
And once again, Nerav realized—the only one who could change Noah's fate… was Noah himself.
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Next day – At Yunah's Apartment
Yogesh pushed open the door with one hand, balancing a steaming cup of coffee in the other. Inside, his sister lay sprawled across the bed, tangled in her sheets, still clinging to the drunken stupor from the night before.
He sighed, stepping closer. "Di, wake up." He tugged at her arm, trying to pull her upright. "Don't you have work today?"
Yunah groaned, her voice hoarse and muffled against the pillow. "What's the point of going? They'll fire me anyway." She flopped back down, curling into herself. "Just let me sleep. Don't you… have school?"
Yogesh blinked, incredulous, then shook his head with an exasperated laugh. "Aiyoo, Di! How much did you drink yesterday? You don't even remember what day it is?" He set the coffee on her bedside table with a soft clink. "It's Saturday. And it's holiday but, yes, I do have to go to practice for Independence day at ten."
"Hmmm…" Yunah mumbled, already drifting back into unconsciousness.
Yogesh stared at her for a moment, lips pressed in a thin line. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Hopeless…" he muttered under his breath, though his tone was more fond than harsh.
Shaking his head, he left her room quietly and headed for the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves as he began preparing breakfast for both of them.
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An hour later
Yunah finally shuffled out of her room, yawning and scratching her messy hair, still half-asleep. Her oversized T-shirt hung loosely on her frame as she dragged herself into the living room.
Yogesh, crouched by the door lacing up his shoes, glanced up. "Finally decided to wake up." His tone carried equal parts relief and scolding. "Breakfast's already on the table. Heat it up—by now it's probably cold."
"Hm." Yunah nodded absently, then suddenly paused. Her eyes narrowed on him, curiosity flickering in the haze of her hangover. "Wait… how did I get back yesterday?"
Yogesh exhaled through his nose, straightening to his feet. "Noah brought you." His gaze hardened, disbelief etched across his face. "You really don't remember? Di, just how much did you drink?"
He studied her, his voice dropping with concern. "Is everything okay?"
Yunah looked away, rubbing her temple as if dismissing the question. "I'm fine. Just go—you'll be late if you keep standing there nagging."
For a moment, Yogesh lingered, searching her expression for cracks she wouldn't let him see. His shoulders sagged when he found none. Without another word, he grabbed his bag and left—closing the door gently behind him.
The silence that followed settled heavy, leaving Yunah alone with her thoughts.
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After freshening up, Yunah settled at the dining table, her phone in hand. The breakfast Yogesh had prepared sat in front of her, untouched for a moment as she leaned back in her chair. Her face was calm, collected—eerily so. Nothing in her demeanor betrayed that, only last night, someone had nearly assaulted her. But Yunah had weathered worse storms. Compared to the scars life had already carved into her, this was nothing but another passing shadow.
She finally picked up her fork and began eating, scrolling idly on her phone before pressing Noah's contact. The phone rang once… twice… She sighed, thumb hovering over the screen to end the call.
Then the line clicked.
On the other side, Noah's voice came through, slightly breathless, like she'd interrupted him mid-action. "Di?"
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Noah was on the school playground, dribbling the ball past his teammates with sharp precision. His jacket lay on a chair at the sideline, phone tucked in its pocket. Beside it, his friend Ivan Tamang was recording every move, ready to upload clips on Instagram to leech off Noah's popularity.
"Noah!!" Ivan suddenly shouted, glancing at the jacket. "Someone's calling you!"
Noah shot him an irritated look without breaking stride. "Who the hell calls me at this hour?" he muttered, more annoyed than curious. He had no reason to expect anyone—especially not Yunah—before Sunday.
Ivan fished the phone out, glanced at the caller ID, then froze. His eyes widened as he read the name out loud: "...Baby?" He slapped a hand over his mouth in disbelief.
Noah stopped mid-game. For a second, a smile flickered on his lips—there, gone in a heartbeat. He bolted to the sidelines, impatience written all over him. Snatching the phone, he answered, breathless. "Di... what made you to call me?" His voice softened, unexpectedly gentle, even as he wiped sweat from his brow.
Ivan's jaw dropped. He muttered under his breath, "When did this psycho started talking like a saint?" One sharp glare from Noah had him snapping his mouth shut instantly.
From the other end, Yunah's voice carried a note of guilt. "Did I disturb you? Were you practicing?"
"No," Noah lied smoothly, wiping his sweat with the edge of his jersey. His toned abs caught the sunlight, sending the girls on the bleachers into shrieks. "I was already done."
"I heard... you were the one who dropped me home yesterday," Yunah said, her voice low, a little embarrassed. "I called to thank you."
"Oh," Noah sat beside Ivan, ignoring his friend's prying eyes. "No need to thank me. I only did what I should." He paused deliberately, his tone shifting. "But... you didn't go to work today."
"No..." Yunah hesitated. "I think... I got fired."
"What?" Noah's expression darkened instantly. "They fired you? Did they say it to your face?"
"Well..." She sighed. "After what I did yesterday, it's obvious. I messed up. Well, you don't have to know the details..."
"Di," Noah's voice sharpened, though he forced it to sound concerned instead of protective, "how will you know without even checking? You should at least go to the company and see. Maybe it's not what you think."
Silence stretched for a moment before Yunah answered, her voice steadier. "You're right. At least I should collect my things, even if I've already lost the job."
A faint smirk curved Noah's lips. "Exactly. What if you're wrong, and you haven't been fired at all?"
Yunah chuckled softly, teasing. "If you're right and I still have my job, I'll treat you to dinner. A proper one—at an expensive restaurant."
His eyes lit up instantly. "Are you serious, Di? You'll really treat me if you're not fired?"
"Yes. But only if I'm not fired," she said, sounding almost certain she was.
"There's no backing out," Noah grinned mischievously. "And it has to be just us. No third wheel."
"Done." Yunah agreed without hesitation. "I'll call you with the news later." With that, she hung up.
Noah stared at the phone for a moment, impatience gnawing at him already. Ivan leaned in, still gaping.
"Is she... the one from the past? You actually found her?" Ivan asked, half-whisper, half-shock.
"Hm." Noah nodded, thumb brushing over his phone screen as if waiting would make it ring again.
"Wahhh!" Ivan groaned, clutching his head. "You really know how to drop bombs. But—how can you be so sure she won't get fired?"
"Because I bought her company," Noah replied casually, like it was the most ordinary thing in the world.
Ivan's eyes nearly popped out of his skull, and he almost choked on his own saliva "WHAT!!!? Ugh! Ugh!"