Family Secret

Chapter 35

School had quickly become a battlefield of its own for the twins. Not the kind with bullets and blades, but the kind that tested wit, patience, and stealth just as much.

Ryan had figured out his own way of “survival”—by quietly slipping into Clint’s head during tests and pop quizzes. Clint was the smartest kid in their grade, sharp as a whip with numbers and history dates, and Ryan had befriended him partly for that reason. Nobody ever suspected a quiet boy with innocent eyes of having a perfect score every time. It was almost too easy, the answers floating into his head as though he’d studied all night.

Dodging Chadwick and his gang was another story. They lurked in hallways, cornered kids by lockers, and spat insults just loud enough for teachers to pretend they didn’t hear. Kyan wanted to fight back every single time, her small fists balled and ready, but Ryan pulled her aside with whispered reminders: “Not here. Not now.” It was a delicate balance—avoiding Chadwick’s taunts without letting him think he’d won.

And then there was Miguel. He sat near the back of class, quiet, often looking like he wanted to disappear into his desk. Ryan had noticed him weeks ago, noticed the way his eyes darted when Chadwick entered a room, the way he always seemed half a step away from trouble. Ryan had been working on slowly befriending him, throwing him a smile or passing a whispered joke, little steps. But it had to be done carefully—if Chadwick noticed, Miguel would pay the price. Ryan was cautious, but determined.

Most days, it was just about getting through, one class, one recess, one hallway walk at a time.

Then came the morning announcements.

The entire school sat packed in the auditorium, restless as always. The Headmaster stood on stage, his polished shoes shining under the lights, his voice echoing as he called for silence. The room hushed with practiced obedience.

“Students,” he began, folding his hands behind his back, “as you know, every year we host our annual fundraiser—a chance not only to support this fine institution, but also to bring our community together.” His tone shifted, carrying a note of excitement. “And this year, I am pleased to announce the prize awaiting the five families who raise the most funds.”

A ripple of anticipation moved through the rows. Even Ryan leaned forward slightly.

“The winners,” the Headmaster declared, pausing for effect, “will receive an all-expenses-paid vacation aboard the SS Nautilus.”

The room erupted instantly.

The SS Nautilus. The name alone carried weight—known everywhere as the biggest, fanciest cruise ship in the world. Pictures of its gleaming decks, glittering ballrooms, and endless pools had filled magazines and advertisements for years. Most kids had only dreamed of stepping foot on it, let alone spending an entire week sailing across oceans.

Whispers spread like wildfire, bouncing from seat to seat.

“No way!”

“My parents would kill to go on that!”

“A cruise ship? For real?”

“Five whole families get to win?!”

Kyan’s eyes widened, sparkling with excitement as she leaned toward Ryan. “A cruise, Ry! Can you imagine? Endless food, swimming, games—like a floating city! We have to win.”

Ryan, ever the more cautious one, frowned slightly, though a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Yeah… sounds amazing. But you know these things aren’t just luck. It’s about money.”

Kyan waved him off, undeterred. “Then we’ll just figure it out! We always do.”

The buzz of voices filled the auditorium, students already plotting, parents’ wallets already being imagined, dreams of ocean breezes stirring in every corner of the room.

Ryan sat back in his seat, half listening, half drifting into thought. A cruise sounded incredible—but something about it gnawed at him. He couldn’t put his finger on why, but for once, the idea of a “grand prize” didn’t feel entirely like a gift.

The afternoon sun spilled warmth over the front steps of the school as Ryan and Kyan pushed their way through the double doors with the other kids. Ryan squinted against the light, adjusting his backpack, while Kyan immediately scanned the crowd.

Her whole face lit up when she spotted Nate and Alexia standing side by side on the curb. It was rare that both of them showed up at once; usually, it was one or the other, but when it happened, it felt like a treat.

“Daddy!” Kyan squealed, bolting forward with all the force her little legs could muster. She barreled into Nate, nearly toppling him backward, waving a packet above her head like a battle flag. “Daddy! Daddy! There’s a big… fund-raiser! And the first prize is a fancy cruise ship!”

She stretched the packet high toward him as if it were treasure.

Nate raised an eyebrow, taking the catalog from her small hands. He flipped it open with deliberate care, scanning the glossy pages. “They still do these things?” he muttered under his breath. “Most of this stuff is overpriced junk.”

Kyan’s smile dropped into a practiced pout, her eyes going wide and pleading.

Alexia chuckled softly, reaching over to pluck the packet from Nate’s hands. “Oh, Nate, I’m sure it can’t be that bad…” She trailed off when her eyes landed on the very first page. A pair of cheap plastic hair clips glittered under the fluorescent print. The price printed beneath them? One hundred and fifty gold coins.

Her brows shot up, and she lowered her voice, lips twitching into a smirk. “Oh. Maybe you’re right.”

Nate gave a low chuckle, reclaiming the packet from her fingers. “Tell you what,” he said, slipping it under his arm. “I’ll take this into work, see if anyone’s fool enough to buy something. But don’t put too much hope into it, hm?”

Ryan, walking a few steps behind, clenched his jaw slightly. He was about to brush the whole thing off when he noticed Kyan had gone very still.

Her eyes glazed for just a second, her small hands tightening at her sides.

Ryan leaned toward her, keeping his voice low, only for her ears. “What is it now?” he muttered, bracing himself.

But Kyan’s face suddenly broke into a grin so wide it nearly split her cheeks. Her voice trembled with excitement as she whispered, “We’re going on that cruise.”

Ryan froze, the weight of her words sinking in.

The clinking of silverware against plates filled the dining room as the four of them sat around the table. The evening meal was simple but hearty—roast chicken, potatoes, and greens Nate had prepared while Alexia kept the twins occupied with their homework.

Nate carved another slice of chicken, laying it neatly onto Kyan’s plate before glancing at Ryan. His tone was casual, almost careless, but his sharp blue eyes studied him closely. “So,” Nate said, spearing a potato with his fork, “how’s school been? Anyone new you’ve gotten to know?”

Ryan caught the flicker of the thought buried beneath the question the second he met Nate’s gaze. Miguel Monroe. Are you trying to get close to him?

Ryan’s lips parted to deliver the easy answer Nate wanted to hear—something nonchalant about classes and friends—but before the words could escape, Kyan slammed her fork down.

“Chadwick’s a meanie-butt face!” she declared, her little voice high and fierce, cheeks puffed in indignation. “He picks on us with his stupid friends. He’s always sayin’ dumb things, like we don’t belong there!”

Ryan groaned inwardly, dragging a hand down his face.

Kyan wasn’t finished. “But Miguel is nice. He smiles at us sometimes, but he doesn’t talk to us ‘cause of Chadwick.” She stabbed a green bean with all the fury of a tiny soldier.

Nate’s jaw flexed ever so slightly as he listened. He kept his expression neutral, but Alexia noticed the faint tension in his shoulders.

Alexia set her fork down and leaned an elbow against the table, her smirk softening into something gentler as she looked at Kyan. “Well, maybe Miguel’s just shy. Or maybe he doesn’t want Chadwick turning on him, too. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you.”

Kyan frowned, puffing out her cheeks again. “Still dumb.”

Ryan, sensing Nate’s eyes lingering on him, shoved a piece of chicken in his mouth before he had to say anything at all. He didn’t need to be the one answering tonight.

The conversation drifted back to lighter things—Ryan boasting about how fast he’d finished a quiz (carefully leaving out that he’d cheated using Clint’s thoughts), Kyan announcing she’d drawn a picture of Agent Wolf and Agent Fox together that her teacher said was “very creative.”

But Nate’s mind remained elsewhere, his fork idle against his plate. Miguel Monroe… the boy’s caught in Chadwick’s shadow. That might complicate things.

Across the table, Ryan quietly heard the thought slip free and forced himself to look away, stabbing his own potato a little too hard.