THEM

His words still haunt me sometimes. It’s been so long since I last saw him… but I know he hasn’t changed. He still sees me the same way — and he always will

In the past two months, everything in her life had shifted — fast, and not for the better.

The change was fast — brutal.

No matter how hard she worked, it wasn't enough. The debt was too big, the burden too heavy. She needed money — a lot of it — and she needed it now.

She had no choice.

The only people who had ever helped her, who had once called her family… were her only hope.

And yet, the weight of that decision pressed hard on her chest — because he would be back.

Alen.

Gone for years, silent and unreachable. But his presence still haunted the mansion. And her.

She didn’t know when he'd return, but she knew one thing:

She had to ask them before he came back.

**Neena:**"I have to talk to them… before he arrives."

Night fell heavy over the mansion.

The halls were quiet, shadows stretching long across the marble floor as Adheena made her way to Aleon’s study.

Her hands trembled.

In all these years, she had never asked them for money. Not once. Her pride had always been her armor — her shield.

But tonight, pride meant nothing.

Tonight, she needed survival.

She paused at the door, heart thudding in her chest. Then, with a shaky breath, she knocked and slowly stepped inside.

The room was dark. Quiet.

Only the faint outline of a figure stood near the window, cast in the dim light slipping through the drapes.

She didn’t raise her eyes.

Adheena (softly):

"I know I have no right to ask you for anything… but my situation is bad. I don’t have another choice. I… I need help. I need money."

Silence.

No reply.

A chill crept up her spine as she slowly lifted her gaze.

And then — her heart stopped.

That wasn’t Aleon.

The figure turned toward her, stepping into the faint light… and the face became unmistakably clear.

Alen Jhonsunburg.

His eyes met hers — unreadable, burning with something dangerous and dark.

He had heard everything. Every word of her plea.

And now, he was here.

He was back.

In this house.

In her life.

ALEN’S POV

She hadn’t changed.

The moment her voice drifted into the room, something inside him stilled — like the air had shifted.

Four years gone. And yet, the second he heard her… it all came flooding back.

That same soft tone. That same wounded pride in her words.

And that same need.

He stayed silent.

Not because he didn’t know what to say, but because he already knew what this was.

Adheena.

Back in this house. Asking for money.

Just like he always knew she would.

No matter how much Neena tried to paint her as different, as pure, he’d seen through it.

The quiet girl with eyes too heavy for her age and a voice that always sounded like it was on the edge of breaking — she had them wrapped around her finger. First his brother. Then Neena. Always needing help. Always finding a way to be protected.

And now… she was here again. Asking.

But still — damn it — she looked at him like he was the one who owed her something.

He stepped out of the shadows.

Her body stiffened when she saw him. Her lips parted, barely breathing.

Good.

Let her be surprised. Let her be caught.

Alen (inwardly): You didn’t expect me, did you? You thought Aleon would be here. The one who always says YES. He didn’t speak for a moment. Just let the silence stretch, watching her. She looked exhausted. Worn down. But still beautiful. Too beautiful. And he hated that it mattered.

**Alen (coolly):**"I see some things haven’t changed."

She flinched — just slightly — and it fed something dark in him. He didn’t step closer. Not yet. Because the truth was, he didn’t trust her. Not with Neena. Not with their kindness. And especially not with the way she looked at him — like she wanted him to understand her.

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