The white room was a refuge of simplicity, bathed in morning light streaming through the wide windows. Yet for Evans, the serene atmosphere clashed with the storm raging inside him as he watched over his younger brother's still body.Rasen had spent days in a trance, and though his chest rose and fell slowly, he resembled more a ghost than a living man.
Evans, seated at the edge of the bed, reflected in silence.
Lionel's words echoed in his mind like a persistent ghost:
"You're ungrateful, Evans. Without Rasen, you'd be dead."
Outside, Cristal handled the situation with her usual efficiency, burning newspapers that branded Evans a traitor and shielding him from public condemnation. Though he pretended not to know, Evans felt the weight of the debt he owed her—and his brother.
When Rasen finally woke, his eyes shone with a renewed intensity.—Where is she? —he asked, his voice hoarse.
Evans, thinking he understood, called for Cristal. She entered quickly, her red hair catching the sunlight that flooded the room. Without hesitation, she embraced him tightly, relieved to see him awake.
—I'm here, Rasen, —she whispered with emotion, but her smile faded when she noticed he didn't respond as expected.
Rasen allowed the contact, but his gaze wandered, as if searching for something beyond the room.
—I'm sorry, Rasen, —Evans said, breaking the silence before stepping out to leave them alone.
Cristal took advantage of the privacy, speaking cautiously:—I know someone who can help clear Evans' name. He's a reliable benefactor, but you'll have to decide whether to accept his help.
Rasen nodded, though his thoughts remained scattered.—Make the arrangements. I want to hear him out.
Evans, who had been eavesdropping in the hallway, entered as soon as Cristal left.—What other lie did that woman tell you? —he snapped, his tone thick with suspicion.
Rasen stared at him coldly.—Do you have a better option, Evans? If you're truly innocent, show the judge the proof. If not, let someone else clean up your mess.
Evans' frustration was palpable.—You still think I'm guilty! Everything I did was for our father, Rasen. To clear his name, to avenge him.
Rasen remained unmoved, but his voice turned colder.—Your obsession with the past nearly destroyed us. I won't let you ruin everything again.
His patience finally exhausted, Rasen moved with supernatural speed, appearing in front of Evans and blocking his way out. His eyes flashed with an intensity Evans hadn't seen in years.
—Do you know why I never trusted you? —Rasen whispered, stepping closer—. Because every time someone needed you to be strong, you chose ambition.
Evans was speechless.
—You became a shadow of the man you claimed to honor. And still... you expect redemption without paying the price. So no, you're not going anywhere. We'll fix this—whether you like it or not.
Evans swallowed hard, intimidated by the force radiating from his brother. He knew he had no choice but to comply, though the tension between them thickened the air.
Lionel burst into the room, breaking the moment.
—Cristal's waiting in the study. It's time to meet the benefactor, Rasen.
Rasen cast one last look at Evans before following Lionel.
Upon reaching the study, the lights turned on one by one, revealing a tall, young man with black hair, crimson eyes, and an imposing presence. His elegant and calculating door made him stand out, in the eyes of the benefactor.
—A pleasure to meet you, Rasen, —the man said, his voice calm but heavy with authority—. I'm Darían.
Rasen observed him cautiously but took the seat across from him.
—I hear you have answers. Let's talk.
Darían opened a leather briefcase on the table, revealing perfectly organized documents.
—I know who you are, and I know what you need. But we don't do this out of charity. I want something in return.
He pulled out a photo and slid it toward Rasen. His breath caught for a second. He didn't know her—or so he wanted to believe. But there was something in those eyes that unearthed a forgotten echo, a name he had never spoken aloud, yet his soul seemed to remember.
As he stared at the photo, the air grew heavier. It was an image of Aisha, her gaze defiant and unmistakable.
—Find this woman. She has something that belongs to me. She took it —Darían added, his voice dropping into a barely contained threat—. And if I'm right… you're not just a pawn in this story, Rasen. You're a key piece that still hasn't awakened its power.
Rasen felt a surge of confusion and anger.
—Why should I help you find her?
Darían smiled, leaning forward.
—Because she is the key to discovering who you really are. And deep down, you already know this search will lead you closer to the truth.
Cristal entered at that moment, placing a hand on Rasen's shoulder.
—It's a fair deal, don't you think? —she said, with a calm yet calculating smile.
Rasen gently touched Cristal's hand, his thoughts torn between the photo and Darían's words.
—Fine, —he finally replied—. But if you try to betray me, I swear you'll regret it.
Darían chuckled softly.
—Never underestimate a man who's already lost everything. But take this as advice: don't let your emotions become your greatest weakness. Not even for her.
Rasen ignored him, slipping the photo into his jacket.
—We'll do this my way.
Darían nodded, closing the briefcase with a click.
—Then we have a deal. Let the hunt begin.
As Rasen left the study, he couldn't shake Aisha's image from his mind.
Why did Darían want to find her? What secrets was she hiding?
The questions piled up, and though he knew he was stepping into a dangerous game, he also understood that the answers might change everything.
As the blood-red moon rose on the horizon, Rasen realized he wasn't just searching for a woman.He was searching for a truth that could redeem him… or destroy him.And this time, there was no turning back.