Chapter 27 - Chapter 3.7: Reconciliation

𝟑.𝟕: Reconciliation

𝐓he silence that fell over the room was deafening.

Luke and Lucas still hadn't said a word. With their expressions unreadable, they stood like stone statues, eyes locked onto her with a complicated blend of emotion.

She had been so caught up in the overwhelming rush—so lost in what to say and how to say it—that she hadn't even realized until now: Luke's arms were still wrapped around her.

Hastily, she cleared her throat and gently tapped his chest to get his attention.

Luke blinked, as if waking from a trance, and immediately released her like he'd just been scorched by hellfire. He staggered back, and Elysia barely caught herself before she stumbled.

The awkwardness in the air swirled like dust in sunlight. Elysia kept her gaze low, eyes glued to the tiled floor as she struggled to collect herself.

Her legs still trembled from the mental and emotional weight pressing down on her. But she fought to stand firm. Because if there was ever a time she needed to gather her courage—it was now.

'So that's what it was all along…'

She replayed the words the original Elysia had said—those cruel, cutting words that fractured a bond once thought unbreakable. It had never occurred to her that such a childish, desperate outburst could've festered for so long. But it had. And it had hurt the twins deeply.

No wonder they'd been so fixated on tormenting her. No wonder their eyes had looked so cold, so distant.

Yet somehow, she couldn't bring herself to be angry at them. She understood now.

Elysia—the original one—had been a lonely, neglected girl, desperate for their father's love and attention.

And the twins? They were just boys back then. Boys who didn't know how to handle a sister's misplaced anger. They'd hurt each other so deeply over something that could have been easily mended… if only they had stopped to talk. To feel.

But now that she knew the truth, she couldn't let it continue.

Maybe—just maybe—there was still a chance to fix what had been broken.

That was when she saw it.

Floating faintly above their heads, like translucent digital projections, were the twins' affection meters.

But something was wrong.

Elysia's breath hitched as her gaze flicked over them. They looked… strange. Glitched. Like broken software screens. The bright numbers were distorted—stretched and skewed like digital ink smeared across a canvas. Their usual vibrant hues had dulled into static-filled pixels, trembling as if the system couldn't process the emotional chaos brewing in the room.

'What the hell?'

She barely had time to process the bizarre sight when Luke's voice finally cut through the air.

"I'm not buying it."

His tone was low, edged with restraint—but beneath it, there was something else. Confusion. Vulnerability.

"Must've been real convenient for you to just forget everything, huh?" he continued. "What do you take us for? Fools?"

Elysia grimaced. The accusation hit her like a whip. Still, she recognized the look in his eyes.

This person before her didn't just want to be angry. He wanted to be wrong.

Her instincts screamed at her to step forward, to bridge the gap with words—but she knew that wouldn't be enough this time. Not for Luke. Not after everything.

And then, in a rare burst of clarity, she remembered something. She remembered how she had spent her previous life as a psychologist, preaching about the power of touch, of connection—yet in that life, she had feared affection more than anything else. She always pulled away. Even when she'd needed it the most.

But now?

Now things were different.

She had to do this. Because she knew it was her only wildcard at this point.

Her fingers twitched at her sides.

What was the first step? Raise her arms? Walk forward? And then what? Pat his back like those grandparents do? How did people even do this?

She needed some kind of reference so she reached deep into her memories—the ones from her past life. The warmth of her older brother's arms.

How did he hug her back then? Did he wait for a specific moment? Did he ever feel awkward?

Then she dug deeper—into the childhood memories that had just resurfaced. The ones with Luke and Lucas. Their laughter. Their smiles. The way Luke would weave his fingers through her hair. How Lucas would wipe her tears with his sleeve when she scraped her knees and sobbed. Their hugs.

Unknowingly, her heart clenched at the memories.

Those boys… They weren't lost. Just buried beneath years of forced hostility.

What they needed wasn't just time—it was someone willing to reach for them, to pull them free.

And in that moment, Elysia knew: she had to be that person if she wanted to pass this mission.

But Luke turned away then, jaw clenched. His body language screamed that he was done with the conversation. He gave a scoff and took a step toward the door.

And that's when Elysia moved.

Without another thought, she threw herself forward, arms wrapping tightly around his torso. Her face buried into the thick fabric of his coat, and her grip was so fierce that Luke stumbled back, a breathless sound escaping him.

His body froze like a deer caught in headlights.

She could feel it—the way every muscle in him tensed under her touch.

Luke stared down at her, utterly stunned. This girl—this person he'd spent nearly a decade resenting—was now hugging him like a scared little girl. Just like old times.

Then his brain kicked back in.

He frowned, snapping back into the role he'd worn for years.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Let go of me this instant."

Elysia lifted her head slightly but didn't loosen her grip.

"No."

"Elysia," he warned, his voice dangerously low. "I said let go."

Her heart pounded, fear clawing at her throat—but she didn't release him.

If he truly hated her, if he couldn't stand the thought of her touch, he'd shove her away. She wasn't weak. He could have pushed her off by now.

But he hadn't.

So she stayed.

"I'm sorry, Luke!" she shouted against his chest, her voice raw.

Luke's glare faltered. Just for a second.

"I—I'm sorry," she repeated, softer this time. "I was an idiot. Those words… I never meant them. Please, believe me. I was just so miserable because Father only ever saw you both. Never me."

Her voice cracked with every word, but she kept going.

"I never hated you. You and Lucas… you were everything to me. But after I said those awful words, I couldn't face you anymore. I thought you'd never forgive me. So I ran."

She tightened her grip.

"I shouldn't have shut you out. I should have tried to fix things. But I was scared. Scared I'd hurt you again."

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry…" Her voice grew faint, muffled into his coat.

Luke stood silent, his breathing ragged. When he finally spoke, his voice was low.

"Elysia… let go of me."

She shook her head.

"Not until you say you don't hate me anymore."

A beat of silence passed.

Luke's face was flushed—brighter than anyone had ever seen it. His shoulders trembled, ever so slightly.

He swallowed hard.

He would never be caught dead admitting it aloud, but deep down, a huge part of him had always hoped for the day she'd say these words. Every time he saw her walking past him in the hallways, eyes downturned as she ignored him. Every time their gazes met and quickly broke apart. He had wanted this.

'But I would have sooner believed I was related to a godforsaken vampire than hear those words from her. I didn't even have time to properly think about how to reply.'

"…For f☆ck's sake—Fine, I hear you," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. "Now let go. Immediately."

Her head shot up.

Wait.

Did that mean…?

"You… You really accept my apology?"

Luke's gaze met hers for a brief moment—Big mistake.

That face. Those hopeful eyes.

He was hit by a wave of memories so strong it nearly buckled his knees. A much smaller Elysia, pouting up at him, tugging at his sleeve. The way she used to chase after him and Lucas like a duckling.

Panic bloomed in his chest.

"Don't look at me like that!" he snapped, placing a hand over her eyes.

"Huh? What are you—" she squeaked.

Without another word, he spun her around—hand still firmly on her head—and shoved her straight into Lucas' chest.

"God, just—talk to Lucas!" he barked. "I've had enough. I can't do this anymore."

Elysia blinked in confusion, now face-to-face with Lucas.

He was smiling at her.

A real smile. Gentle and warm.

She felt as if she were caught in a divine moment, surrounded by celestial light and the soaring voices of angelic choirs.

She was jolted out of her daze—only to be swept into another when Lucas gently plopped a hand on her head, ruffling her hair just as he had countless times in the past.

"It's only fair that we apologize too," Lucas said, his voice steady. "We were the bigger fools for lashing out instead of trying to understand. We said things we didn't mean, just to provoke a reaction… We were reckless, and for that, we're truly sorry."

He looked into her eyes, serious now.

"Please. Accept our apology and let us make it up to you."

Tears welled in Elysia's eyes. And she knew—just like the last time with King Zachary's confession—these tears weren't hers.

But her next action was.

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. No hesitation. No awkwardness. No second-guessing.

Lucas embraced her in return. A quiet breath slipped from him, as if the tension had finally lifted. His arms encircled her just as tightly—steady, warm. And that strange ache in her chest returned. Not pain, exactly. Just… release.

"Apology accepted," she whispered. "It took so long for us to get here… but I'm glad. Truly."

[ Ding! Mission Two: Increase Luke and Lucas' affection levels to 70+ — Passed. ]

Elysia's eyes widened at the sudden notification.

Without hesitation, she mentally summoned the system window to confirm—because abruptly backing away and scanning over their heads would make her seem completely unhinged.

And that was the last thing she wanted. Not after their touching reunion.

But the glitching figures were gone. In their place, glowing softly in green light, were the new numbers displayed within the system window:

—

Luke: 10 ➔ 76

Lucas: 45 ➔ 80

—

Her heart skipped a beat.

'I did it… Oh my god—I actually did it!'

Maybe it was simply the relief of passing the mission in the nick of time. Or maybe it was something else. The joy of being heard. Of being accepted by people that mattered.

Family...

But Elysia realized that the walls around her heart—walls she'd built out of grief and fear—were gradually starting to crumble.

And she was no longer sure she wanted to stop them.

— -

Bonus Clip: Behind the scenes (99.7% rarity)

Author: Well, I certainly hope everyone survived this chapter's overload of corniness. If you didn't, then rip, soldier.

Author: Anyway, Lucas dear! Please tell our awesome readers how you felt a few chapters ago when you told Elysia that she deserves a "lifetime of penance" for "murdering" y'alls mum.

Lucas: . . .

Lucas: *awkward* You know... It's not too late to delete that scene.

Author: LOL you wish.

Lucas: . . .

Lucas: At the very least, did you really have to make me say it? If you ask me, those words fit Luke's aesthetic far better.

Luke: *rudely inserts himself* Woah there, bud. We may be identical in looks but in burdens—I think not. This one's yours to bear, so don't even think about pushing it onto someone else. LOL.

Author: Damn right haha.

Lucas: . . .

Lucas: Fine, I shall tell them how I felt—if that's what you want.

Lucas: *turns to the readers* I was manipulated—

Author: *pulls the plug* Anyway, so that's that!

Author: To everyone still reading this book and supporting it, thank you so much. I'm grateful to you all. See you in the next one *bows*