BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS AND A PAST

Chapter 13: Echoes of the Past

(Julia POV)

I sat cross-legged on my bedroom floor, the carpet rough under me. The house was quiet, Jake asleep, the clock ticking past ten. I'd been avoiding this, but tonight, I couldn't anymore. I pulled the college box from under my bed, dust coating my fingers. It smelled like old paper and regrets. I lifted the lid, my breath catching.

A Polaroid slipped out, fluttering to the floor. I picked it up, Mia, Ivy, and me, laughing, arms around each other. Pre-party, five years ago. My hair was longer then, my smile wide and careless. Tears pricked my eyes. We'd been so close, Mia's wild ideas, Ivy's quiet push. "Come on, Jules," they'd said. "One night won't kill you." I'd gone because of them. Both my friends were long dead. And me? Left with this.

I wiped my face, setting the photo down. My chest ached, those girls felt like ghosts now. I dug deeper, pulling out notebooks, a cracked mug, a faded scarf. Then I saw it, the keychain, glinting under a pile of letters. My fingers shook as I lifted it, the note still tucked beside it: "My name is Kane." I clutched them both, the "K" cold against my palm.

That night flooded back, music pulsing, lights dim, a masked man pulling me into a dance. His laugh, low and sure, had hooked me. I'd felt alive, wanted, free. Then morning came, and he was gone, just this keychain, this note. I'd kept it hidden, a secret even from Mia and Ivy. Now it was all I had of him. Of Jake's dad.

I sank back, the keychain heavy in my hand. Jake's face flashed, those blue eyes, asking about his father. I'd dodged it again tonight, tucking him in with a story instead. "One day," I'd said, same as always. But how many days could I stall? He was four now, asking at school, telling tales. My mom's words echoed, He deserves answers. She was right. I knew it. But where do I even start?

Luke's grin popped into my head, his coffee invite yesterday, his easy "Loosen up." He'd been to masked parties, he'd said. Plenty of them. My stomach twisted. Was it him? That charm, that confidence, it fit. But then Andrew, sharp, distant Andrew. His eyes haunted me too, piercing and cold. Could it be him instead? I rubbed my temples, a headache blooming. Two brothers, one truth. How did I end up here?

I grabbed my laptop from the bed, setting it on the floor. I needed something, anything, to narrow it down. My fingers hovered, then I typed "Kane" into Google. Results spilled out, articles, bios, company fluff. I scrolled fast, stopping on a 2020 Kane Enterprises piece. Andrew Kane Named CEO. There they were, Luke and Andrew, side by side, suits crisp, smiles forced.

I zoomed in, my breath hitching. Luke's grin, warm, open, the same one he'd flashed at me all week. Andrew's intensity, those blue eyes, sharp enough to cut. Both at the right age, both there when the company threw that party. My heart thudded. "They were both there?" I whispered, the words trembling out.

I stared at the screen, my mind racing. Five years ago, Andrew's CEO bash. Masks, music, chaos. The article didn't say it was masked, but Luke's words yesterday, crazy nights, masks everywhere, lined up too well. Both of them could've been there. Both could've danced with me, left this keychain, changed my life. I clutched it tighter, the "K" digging into my skin. Which one? Luke, who made me laugh?. Andrew, who made me shiver?.

Tears welled up again. I didn't want it to be either of them, not my coworker, not my boss. But it had to be. Jake's eyes didn't lie, eyes, blue and bright. I pressed my hand to my mouth, holding back a sob. I'd been so stupid that night, so young, so lost. Now I was paying for it, digging through the past while my son waited for a dad I couldn't name.

I shoved the laptop aside, curling up on the floor. The Polaroid stared up at me, Mia, Ivy, me. I'd been happy then, before this mess. Before Jake, before Kane Enterprises, before I had to play detective in my own life. I traced their faces, my throat tight. "I miss you guys," I whispered. They'd know what to do, push me, tease me into action. But they weren't here. It was just me now.

I sat up, wiping my eyes. No more stalling. I had to figure this out, for Jake, for me. Luke's engagement party invite, he'd mentioned it offhand. Andrew's big night. Maybe there, I'd see something, a look, a slip. But that was days away, and this couldn't wait. I needed a plan tonight.

I grabbed the keychain again, staring at the "K." "Which one of you changed my life?" I whispered, my voice cracking. Luke's laugh echoed, warm, tempting. Andrew's glare cut through, cold, commanding. I couldn't picture either of them holding Jake, being a dad. But one of them had to be. One of them owed us that.

My hands shook. I'd ask Luke, tomorrow, maybe. He'd talk, wouldn't he? He liked me, I could tell. Coffee again, casual, then slip it in. "Ever been to a masked party five years ago?" If he flinched, I'd know. If he didn't... Andrew next. Harder, riskier. But I'd do it. I had to.

I stood, pacing to the window. The street outside was dark, a few lights flickering. My reflection stared back, tired, scared. I didn't want this fight, this truth. What if Luke was Jake's dad? Could I handle that, working with him, seeing him every day? And Andrew, God, Andrew. If it was him, would he even care? Dismiss me like he did everyone else?

I leaned my forehead against the glass, cool against my skin. Jake's giggle from this morning rang in my ears, building that spaceship, so proud. He deserved more than my guesses, my fears. I'd been running from this too long.

Five years of hiding, hoping it'd fade. It wouldn't. It was here, staring me down.

I turned back to the box, the photo, the keychain. My life in pieces on the floor. I sank down again, pulling my knees up. "I'm sorry, Jake," I whispered. "I'll fix this." Tears slipped out, hot and fast. I didn't wipe them this time, just let them fall. He was asking at school now, making up stories. Superheroes. My heart broke, he was reaching for something I couldn't give him yet.

But I would. I'd find his dad, Luke, Andrew, whoever. I'd drag the truth out, no matter how much it hurt. I owed him that.

My phone pinged, jolting me. I grabbed it, my hands still shaky. Luke's name lit up the screen: "Hey, got something fun planned for tomorrow, you in?"