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Chapter 8: I'll Decide
Pilea and the butler moved quietly, careful not to make a sound. The place they were heading to was dimly lit, and any noise could easily be heard from the room ahead. She could already see a faint light through a curtain—the butler motioned toward it.
Behind it, a young boy of about seventeen stood. "Sam," she whispered, her heart aching at the sight of her younger brother. His blonde hair was long and silky, almost like hers. He looked bolder than she remembered, but something about him was off.
Her gaze then shifted to the man standing in front of Sam. His presence alone sent chills down the spine, filling the space with tension. "Talk," Androsen's voice rang out, clear and sharp.
As Androsen observed the boy, he noted the resemblance to Pilea. He was curious about how Sam would respond, but he hadn't expected the boy to kneel immediately, head bowed, in submission.
"I'm sorry. Please, let my sister go. I'll accept any punishment," Sam's voice trembled as he fought to hold back tears.
Pilea's eyes filled with tears as she stared at her brother, heart aching.
Androsen sighed, frustrated. He hadn't expected her brother to be so fragile, especially compared to Pilea. He wondered silently how Sam had even discovered that Pilea was here.
"Stand up!" Androsen commanded, his voice echoing through the walls.
Sam struggled to obey. His legs wobbled, his heart raced, and he felt dizzy, unable to control his body. Breathless, his vision blurred.
"Sam!" Pilea yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks as she ran toward him.
Despite his fearsome gaze, Androsen felt something unfamiliar as their eyes met—a flicker of pity for the first time in his life.
Pilea held Sam's hand tightly, grounding him. Androsen gave the butler a brief glance before stepping out. Within seconds, two people entered the room—a doctor in uniform and an assistant.
They quickly carried Sam to a guest room. Pilea's heart twisted in worry, but the doctor's quick exit brought her a small sense of relief.
"He's okay," Androsen explained simply. "But he will need to stay in a hospital for rest, proper treatment, and check-ups."
Tears welled up in Pilea's eyes as she considered how much money and effort she had saved for her brother's care. Since their parents died, she had been his sole protector. And here was Androsen, taking care of everything as if it were nothing.
"Why…? What should I do in return?" Pilea asked, her voice firm, her green eyes staring him down.
Androsen couldn't help but be amused by her defiance. Unlike her brother, she didn't crumble before him. A laugh escaped him, low and dark, but not unkind.
He stepped closer, leaning toward her ear. "I'll decide," he whispered, sending shivers down her spine.
He then walked to the entrance of the hall. "Make sure he's in the best room and receives the best treatment possible," he instructed, his voice stern once more.
Pilea watched him leave, exhaling slowly, and then turned her attention to her brother. Relief washed over her as she entered the guest room, determined to be by his side.
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