As soon as the Link hits the streets, Theo is glued to the scenery. He doesn't say anything. He doesn't even move. If he were alone, his jaw would've dropped. But with Arthur and Julian in the car, he has to restrain himself.
Arthur is driving, but every now and then he glances at Theo through the rear-view mirror. His restless feeling hasn't gone away. It grows stronger. Something about Thea—feels off. She acts differently.
The idea is absurd, yet it clings to him like wet clothes against skin, impossible to shake.
During her stay at the hospital, Arthur has been the one staying at the hospital with her. He did it because since the day Thea wakes up, he's been having this feeling. He decided to observe her further and what he found are not enough to say conclusively that Thea is not Thea.
And when he saw how Thea was around his parents, Arthur's doubts rise again. In the end he had to admit that he doesn't have enough evidence and it requires further investigation through observation.
Julian, on the other hand, cannot stand the silence any longer. He turns to Theo as much as he can without choking himself on the safety belt.
"Thea, what do you think?"
Theo keeps his eyes on the window. "Of what?"
Julian scoffs in disbelief. "Of Link! You are riding the only functioning Link in the world! This huge!"
He continues, "Thea, in case you don't know, this is the first time we're taking Link on the road! For you! This is like…" Julian struggles to find the right word. "Like… a very subtle soft launching!"
Theo finally turns to Julian. Seeing his enthusiastic yet exasperated face, he smiles widely. He can't help wanting to tease him further. I guess Thea loved to tease Julian.
"It's okay." He turns his attention back to the scenery outside.
Julian's face changes color a few times.
With his hands on the wheel, Arthur smiles too. This is typical banter between his two younger siblings. He used to have that with Thea as well, but he didn't notice when they drifted apart. Thea became distant and polite, and he was busy with work.
Arthur promises himself that he will make an effort to get closer to Thea.
Theo feels Arthur's gaze on him. He's very aware that Arthur is suspicious. He cannot blame him—this is his youngest and only sister. It's only natural that he cares so much. In Thea's memories, Arthur is a sharp and astute young man, and unnervingly mature for his age.
Thea had always felt sorry for Arthur, having to grow up so quickly, and thankful that he stepped up when no one else knew what to do. If it weren't for Arthur taking over Montrose Corporation, the Montroses would have slept on the streets.
But Theo doesn't know the full story. Thea's memories of the tragedy are jumbled. One thing is clear: Thea felt guilty for not helping Arthur—and her family—more. That guilt gnawed at her, pushing her to distance herself from Arthur and the rest of her family.
Theo has occupied Thea's body for more than a week now. Her feelings have slowly fused with his, but her memories are like a massive jigsaw puzzle with over one hundred thousand pieces, some thousands of them missing.
Julian refuses to give up. "Thea, Sweetheart. Don't do this to me. Help me. Consider it helping me—your favorite brother."
Theo turns to him again. And waits.
Julian smiles and exhales. "Tell me… what do you think of Link?"
Theo blinks a few times. Then he replies, "Riding this Link, I feel like I'm flying. It's very smooth. No bumps. And it's quiet—isolated from the outside world. It makes me feel safe."
He looks around, touches his chair. "When I touch this, I feel pampered. It also feels luxurious. And the idea of a wheelchair that can be joined together to make room for more people… it's brilliant, Julian."
Julian blinks rapidly. "You really think so?"
"Yes! I really think so."
Julian doesn't say anything, just turns around and sits in silence.
If Arthur was forced to mature early, in Thea's memories, Julian was abandoned by him. Julian adored and looked up to Arthur. He would shadow Arthur everywhere. He even sneaked into Arthur's bedroom and climbed onto his bed whenever he felt scared or alone.
When Arthur suddenly became busy with work, he had to leave Julian at home. Julian had no one but Thea. That's how they became close. Arthur was Julian's and Thea's god—perfect.
Julian had always asked Thea to test his inventions. She was his quality control. The Montroses had always tasked her with that role.
It was Leila who recognized Julian's potential as an inventor. She asked Maurice to bring him to his lab and let him play there. Maurice did as asked, and the rest was history.
Today, Julian is the main brain of Montrose Corporation. His job is to dream, to visualize how Heartstone can be incorporated into everyday life.
Maurice makes those visions real. He's the technician, the engineer. Leila designs the gadgets—the Pods, Duos, and Links are the fruit of their hard work.
And it falls on Arthur's shoulders to sell them and dominate the market.
Being abandoned by Arthur caused a deep trauma in Julian. He would often ask validation from others. And when he doesn't get it, he'd become anxious and panic.
Theo's replies about Link makes him sit and absorbs it. He needs time to believe that it's true and not just lips service.
Thea knew this and now Theo knows this.
As he remembers his promise to Thea, Theo decides to take a step further—for Julian, for Arthur, and for himself.
"Julian," he calls.
"Hmm?" Julian answers absentmindedly. Arthur steals a glance from the rearview mirror.
"I have to apologize in advance. I don't really remember everything, so most of the time my replies will be slower than usual. So, please don't take it the wrong way. Just bear with me."