Chapter Two: A Dangerous Truth

The storm outside raged with fury, but inside the mansion, a sense of foreboding had settled over the room. The heavy folder in Kailex's hands felt like a weight from another world, one he had not yet fully prepared to face. He opened it slowly, his gaze hardening with every word he read.

“Kailex,” Aurira said softly, stepping closer to him. Her presence was like a pull on his very soul. “What’s going on?”

Without looking up, he shook his head, his mind consumed by the contents of the file. “This... this wasn’t supposed to happen.”

The man who had brought the folder stood still, watching them both, his expression unreadable. Kailex glanced up and met his eyes for the first time. “You should have kept this from her,” he growled, his voice dark with fury.

But the man stood his ground, shaking his head slightly. "You know I couldn't, Kailex. The truth was already slipping through the cracks. It's better she hears it from you."

Kailex's eyes flicked to Aurira, whose face was now a mask of concern. His stomach churned. What had he gotten her into? What was this truth that had been hidden for so long?

He put the folder down on the table in front of him, his hands still trembling slightly. The document revealed a name, an address, and a date—details about his sister, but not the one he had thought was dead. No. The name listed here was of a woman who had disappeared years ago.

Aurira’s eyes scanned the document, but she was quiet, too quiet. Kailex could feel her curiosity rising. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. This wasn’t how he had imagined things would go.

"You need to know the truth, Aurira," he began, his voice heavy with a mix of reluctance and determination. "You're not my sister."

Her breath hitched, and for the first time, a flicker of disbelief crossed her features. "What do you mean? What are you talking about, Kailex?"

Kailex slammed his fist against the table, anger flaring, but he quickly reined it in. "The girl who died years ago—the one who was supposed to be my sister—wasn’t you. You’ve been living a lie."

Aurira stepped back, her face pale, as if the words had physically struck her. “But... but I remember growing up with you. I remember our parents... how could this be?"

Kailex’s eyes softened as he watched her, his heart aching. "I don’t know. But this is what I have. What I’ve been holding back from you." His voice broke for a second. He hated this, hated that he had been the one to reveal the truth. But what was the alternative? Allow her to live in ignorance forever?

"Who am I, Kailex?" Aurira asked, her voice trembling. "Who was I before this life?"

Kailex hesitated, then answered in a low voice, "You’re from a small village on the outskirts of the Netherlands. Your real name... it was never Aurira Halt."

The words hit her like a slap in the face. Aurira staggered back, her mind struggling to process the enormity of what Kailex had just revealed. "This can’t be true," she whispered. "My whole life… everything I’ve known—it's all a lie?"

The weight of the words sank in like stones in her chest, and for a moment, Kailex didn’t know whether to console her or let her unravel. She had every right to be angry, to be confused, to demand answers. But at that moment, the truth was like a shadow, enveloping them both.

"Aurira, listen to me," Kailex said, his voice urgent, "You need to understand that this... this changes everything. There are people out there who want you dead. They believe you are someone else. Someone they’ve been looking for, someone they thought was gone."

She shook her head, her lips trembling as she spoke, "But why? Why would anyone want me dead?"

Kailex's expression darkened as he leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Because of who you were—who you’re meant to be. The girl who died, the one who was supposed to be my sister—her death was no accident. It was a sacrifice, and you... you were meant to take her place."

Aurira blinked, struggling to digest the implications. "You’re telling me I’m... a replacement?" she whispered, voice cracking.

Kailex clenched his fists. "Yes. And you are the reason all this chaos started. Whoever killed my real sister didn’t just murder her; they left a hole in our world. And they’ve been trying to fill that hole by hunting for you—using you against me."

The truth, stark and brutal, settled between them like a bitter pill that neither of them could swallow. Kailex could see the walls in Aurira’s eyes beginning to crumble. She was unraveling, and all he could do was stand there and watch.

"Aurira," he whispered, his voice softer than it had been in years, "I will protect you. No matter the cost."

She took a step toward him, her eyes hardening. "And what if I don’t want your protection?" Her voice was fierce now, the anger and confusion in her eyes unmistakable.

Kailex's jaw clenched. "Then what do you want, Aurira? Because I don’t know what I can give you now. But I swear to God, I will tear this world apart to keep you safe."

Her gaze softened for a brief moment, and she reached out, her hand trembling as it hovered near his. Kailex took it without hesitation, their fingers intertwining. For the first time, he didn’t feel the usual rush of guilt or the weight of their twisted relationship. All he could feel was a raw, desperate need to protect her.

"You don’t know who I am anymore, Kailex," she said quietly, "You don’t know me."

Kailex closed his eyes, his chest tightening. He couldn’t lie to her. He didn’t know who she was anymore—not the way he had thought. But that didn’t change what was between them. It didn’t change how he felt.

"I don’t care who you were, Aurira," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "I only care who you are now."

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