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1249 Words
Angelo swallowed several times, nervous. He couldn’t even remember the last time he saw his brother, Allen. He had expected a warm welcome, at the very least, with Allen telling him how proud he was of the wealth they had achieved. But no matter how much success Angelo reached, he never saw any joy from Allen—never a single moment of pride.
Why?
“Why are you speechless? You’re not mute,” Allen remarked sarcastically.
Angelo clenched his fists, irritated once again by the thought of Veronica. That wretched woman was the reason their brotherly relationship was falling apart. He couldn’t understand why Allen was always so kind to her. Why did he always take the side of his good-for-nothing wife?
“W-What are you talking about, Allen? That’s nonsense. I’ve told all of you how Veronica disappeared. And is this really how you’re greeting me after so long? It’s been ages since we last saw each other,” he replied, sounding a bit hurt.
Allen hardly came home anymore, preferring to be with his friends rather than his family. He even had a small apartment, despite the beautiful and spacious room Angelo had provided for him in the mansion.
His brother's gaze locked onto his. “Let’s not kid ourselves, brother. No matter how much you hide or how much you try to forget… remember, you can’t escape the past. You can deny it all you want… but I know you had something to do with your wife’s disappearance.”
Angelo’s eyes widened at the cold, terrifying tone in Allen’s voice. His brother was always the carefree type—happy-go-lucky, as if he had no problems in the world. He wasn’t used to seeing this dangerous look in Allen’s eyes.
Allen walked toward him, his eyes burning with a strange fire. Angelo hadn’t realized he’d already stood up, and now, he was backed into the wall. Step by step, Allen closed in on him. What was happening to his brother?
Though Allen didn’t touch him, his gaze was enough to make Angelo feel scorched. “And when the day comes that the truth is revealed, no matter how much you beg, I won’t give you mercy. When I’m sure that you’re the reason Veronica disappeared… I’ll hunt you down, no matter where you go. You can’t escape your fate—I’ll kill you.” He smiled, patting Angelo’s shoulder, but behind that smile lay a terrifying threat.
Cold sweat dripped from Angelo as he swallowed hard. So, Allen had a dark side? And why was he acting this way just because Veronica was gone? Angelo couldn’t believe it.
What was it about that wretched human that made Allen care so much?
Allen laughed when he saw the fear etched on Angelo’s face. His expression returned to normal, and he chuckled. “But of course, that won’t happen. Because you had nothing to do with her disappearance, right?”
Angelo felt like he was going insane with the mind games his brother was playing. Allen turned and walked up the stairs. “Anyway, it’s late. I’ll be sleeping here tonight. See you around,” he waved his hand in the air as he walked away.
Only then did Anne seem to snap out of what had happened. She was just as surprised. She clenched her fist, ready to charge at Allen, but Angelo quickly stopped her.
“What?! Why are you holding me back, big brother? Did you hear what that jerk just said? He threatened to kill you! How dare he! Maybe I’ll be the one to kill him!” Anne screamed in rage.
Angelo could only sigh. “Anne, please. Let it go. My head suddenly hurts, don’t make it worse.”
His sister froze at the tone of his voice and just bit her lip. “Hmp! He’s such a nuisance! He’s always been an eavesdropper! Just because he doesn’t belong to this family, he’s trying to find his existence through that b***h!” Anne spat, her anger still bubbling.
Angelo didn’t say another word and left her there. He headed up to his room, stopping momentarily when he passed by the room meant for Allen.
Frustrated, he entered his own room and collapsed onto his soft bed, staring up at the ceiling. Why was Allen so worried about Veronica? What was it about that wretched woman?
“You’re a curse on my life, Veronica. You’re dead, yet everyone still talks about you. My brother can never find out that I’m the one who killed you, never!” he shouted to himself firmly.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Allen was deep in thought. He hated coming back to this mansion. This house was a hell disguised as a palace. He knew the dark secrets of his family, and he loathed being part of it.
He lay down on the bed, his eyes absentmindedly drifting to the ceiling. He would never forget the day he first met Veronica. He had already spotted her at the university she attended. Although she looked simple, her beauty stood out to him.
He had purposely visited his brother Angelo at the university because their mother had a message for him. Allen knew Veronica was a pure-blooded human, but there was something about her that made his heart beat differently the moment he saw her. But his heart sank when he saw her greet his brother with a tight hug outside the school.
Turns out, she was Angelo’s girlfriend. Despite his disappointment, he was happy because even though Veronica was a human, Angelo had chosen love and was ready to fight for her. Against all odds, as they say.
Allen stepped aside for his brother. But as the days went by, he noticed that the happiness and smile on Veronica’s face had been replaced by sadness. And that sadness only grew deeper with each passing year.
He knew Veronica loved his brother. So, as much as he wanted to, he had no right to dictate her actions. But his brother? He wasn’t sure. Angelo was too self-centered, too in love with himself to love anyone else. The only thing Angelo seemed to love was himself. He didn’t even love their family; he only craved praise and appreciation because of their “sudden wealth.”
Allen clenched his fists in anger. “Veronica, where are you? I didn’t step aside for my worthless brother just to lose you. I’ll find you and give justice to your disappearance,” he promised himself.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Valle Verde, Veronica was smiling widely. She couldn’t believe how easy it was to fool Angelo. It really was true that rich and beautiful people had privileges. If she was still the old Veronica, she doubted she could ever demand such things from Angelo.
Javier greeted her with a sweet smile, his arms wide open, as if inviting her into a warm embrace. She didn’t hesitate to hug him tightly.
She felt the warmth. The sense of safety in his care—something her husband had never provided.
“Congratulations. You were amazing. I’m so proud of you,” he said, kissing her hair, which made her heart melt.
“Thanks, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“This calls for a celebration.” He knelt in front of her and offered his hand. “Mrs. Beatrice Romanov, may I invite you for a romantic late dinner date?”
Her eyes widened. A romantic date?!
- Writer
