I couldn't believe that I had made the same mistake a second time. Both times, Sohan had started it, yet I was the one who ended up running away.
I pedaled with all my strength, as fast as I could, but there was still no road in sight. I found myself on a long sandy path that seemed endless. Fear started to creep in — I was alone, deep in the forest, and who wouldn't be scared in that situation? No one from the villa seemed to be looking for me. I would have preferred for them to come after me rather than not knowing where I was going.
After several minutes — or maybe hours — of pedaling, I arrived in front of a small wooden house. I was so out of breath that I didn't even notice the condition of the house, which was dirty and broken. As soon as I reached the door, I didn't even have time to touch it before it collapsed loudly. It didn't surprise me anymore. Inside, it was so dark that you couldn't even see the floor.
In the end, fear stopped me from going inside. I got back on the bike and continued down the road. As I pedaled, I counted the minutes. When I reached five, I collapsed to the ground. My entire body ached, and I couldn't move anymore. With the last strength I had left, I crawled between some trees behind a bush. The last thing I thought was that Sohan had done this on purpose — and that he knew that if I escaped, I would suffer.
---
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE VILLA:
Alex was furious. So furious that he didn't even take the time to notice that his little brother was injured. He shouted at the panicked guards, who knew nothing about the situation or why it had happened.
Sohan was still on the ground, crying bitterly. Before Alex arrived, he had refused to stand up. He wanted Alex to see him in his pitiful state and get angry at Angi for running away. But instead, Alex lashed out at everyone present. The guards tried to explain the situation, but he didn't want to hear it. He told them that if they didn't find Angi immediately, they would all die today. His face was red with rage. The guards trembled, then quickly left to search for Madame Katara.
After that, there was silence. Alex stood with his back turned to Sohan.
Sohan couldn't believe that his older brother wasn't worried about him — but about someone else.
Sohan: "Big brother… don't you love me anymore?"
His voice trembled.
Alex replied firmly,
"You are my brother. Of course I love you. But Angi is different from you."
Sohan was confused. What was his brother trying to say? With a sudden movement, Sohan stood up, wiped his tears, grabbed Alex's shirt with one hand, and shouted,
"Big brother, why are you doing this? You weren't like this before!"
Alex didn't answer. Instead, he brushed Sohan's hand away sharply, as if removing an insect from his shoulder.
Alex: "I told you not to come back. You're the one who leaves me no choice."
Then Alex walked toward the parking area, leaving Sohan alone with his thoughts.
Sohan's mind was completely empty. He didn't know what to think or what to do. Why had his big brother changed so suddenly?
That's when one name came to his mind.
Angi.
It was all Angi's fault.
And you, dear reader — what do you think Sohan is doing in the villa when he was supposed to be on a trip with Soren?
Mystery.