Chapter 8: First Breakdown
888 Words
'Czack's POV'
It was getting late, but Nnell still wasn't home. I was worried—we all were. I just hoped she was okay. Mom, Dad, and I were in the living room, waiting for Nnell to come home.
"Czack, please try contacting her again," Mom pleaded. I had already tried calling her several times.
"Okay, Mom," I said as I dialed her number again.
ring ring* ring*
A few moments later, she finally answered.
'What?' she asked coldly.
'Baby, where are you?' I asked her.
'I just needed to let out some frustration. Happy?!' she snapped.
I could only sigh heavily. In all the years I had spent with her here, I had never once seen her laugh, cry, or even smile. That was why we were so worried about her.
'Nnell, please come home. Mom is already worried,' I said in a cold tone.
'K.'
Then she hung up on me.
"What did she say, son?" Mom asked.
"She said she's coming home. Don't worry, she's fine," I assured them.
"Good to hear that," Dad said.
A few moments later, we saw Nnell enter the house. Mom immediately called out to her.
"Oh my God, baby! Where have you been?" Mom asked.
"Somewhere," she answered shortly, avoiding eye contact.
I caught a glimpse of her face. She looked unusually pale, and then I noticed the bruise.
"What happened to your face, Nnell?" I asked her.
"Nah. Nothing. I just bumped into something earlier," she answered.
"Have you eaten?" Dad asked.
"No. I'm full. Excuse me, I want to get some rest."
After saying that, she immediately headed upstairs.
"I'll follow her, Mom, Dad," I told them.
"Okay, son," they replied.
'Dannaya's POV'
I woke up to the sounds of nocturnal insects.
Nighttime?
Oh my God. It was already getting dark. I must have slept much longer than I thought.
I stood up and dusted off my jeans when my phone rang. I grabbed it and answered.
'What?'
'Baby, where are you?'
'I just needed to let out some frustration. Happy?!'
I heard him exhale heavily.
"Nnell, please come home. Mom is already worried," he pleaded.
'K.'
I ended the call.
I climbed down from the flower-covered rooftop. It was sturdy because I had specifically had it built that way.
I got on my big bike, started the engine, and headed toward our house.
A few minutes later, I arrived.
I parked my big bike in the garage before entering the house. I saw the three of them sitting in the living room. I was about to walk past them when Mom called me.
"Oh God, baby! Where have you been?" she asked.
"Somewhere," I answered.
I noticed Czack's forehead wrinkle with concern, so I quickly looked away.
Sh*t.
I had a bruise on my face.
"What happened to your face, Nnell?" he asked.
I knew it. He noticed.
"Nah. Nothing. I just bumped into something," I lied.
"Have you eaten?" Dad asked.
"No. I'm full. Excuse me, I want to get some rest."
I immediately went to my room and dropped onto my bed.
I was about to enter the bathroom when someone knocked.
"Come in. It's not locked," I answered.
I sat back down on the bed.
Czack entered, closed the door, and locked it.
"Where have you been, Nnell?" he asked.
Tsk.
"Tsk. I already told you. Now, if you don't have anything else to say, you can leave. I want to rest," I answered coldly.
"Where did you get that bruise?"
Tsk. He notices everything.
"I already told you earlier."
"I don't believe you. That's a bruise from a fist, Nnell."
"Tsk. That's just your imagination, Czack."
"f**k! Nnell, tell me the truth, please."
"Okay, fine. I saw a fight, and I took out my frustration on my opponent. But at the same time, I got hit when I lost focus. I left her there unconscious. Now, are you happy?" I finally told him.
And damn it, my tears decided to join the conversation too.
"Nnell… I-I'm s-sorry."
"It's done. So let's move on."
"Nnell, look, I'm really sorry. I didn't want to hurt y—"
"But you already hurt me, Kuya. I'm so confused right now. I don't even know if you truly love me."
"Nnell, believe me, please. I love you, okay? Please believe me," he said, his voice hoarse.
"Nah. Tell me, Czack… how can I believe you? You've already lied to me once," I asked through my tears.
All my life, I had never broken down like this in front of my stepbrother.
'Czack's POV'
I couldn't believe it.
Nnell was actually crying hard in front of me. From the way she looked, I could tell how deeply hurt she was.
"Nnell, I'm sorry. I love you," I told her.
Yes.
I had loved her from the beginning—more than a sister.
She simply shook her head and continued sobbing.
I pulled her into a hug. At first, she struggled against me, but eventually, she stopped fighting and let herself lean into my arms.
I'm so sorry, Nnell.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't realize she had fallen asleep from crying.
I gently laid her head on the pillow and covered her with a blanket. Then I kissed her forehead before quietly leaving her room.
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