*Knock knock*


    Kim was in the kitchen, preparing dinner when she heard a knock at the door. She looked at Alex, who was standing beside her.


    "It seems like your brother is back. Here, watch this for me. Let me go answer the door," she said to him, as she dropped the knife she was holding on the kitchen ind before going to answer the door.


    She opened the door and saw Ss standing outside.


    "Ss!... You''re back." She was slightly surprised when she saw him.


    She felt that something was different about Ss, but she couldn''t quite put her finger on what it was.


    When she realized she was still keeping him outside, she stepped aside.


    "Come in. Alex and your dad have been worried about you."


    "Thanks." Ss walked into the house and closed the door behind Kim.


    He walked into the living area and saw his dad seated on a sofa, intently watching the news that was being broadcasted.


    "Chris, Ss is home!" Kim shouted to him, breaking his concentration.


    Ss smiled when he saw this. He was about to stop her, but she had already called out to him before he could.


    Chris quickly turned his head when he heard that Ss was back.


    "Son... you''re back." He smiled as he gazed at Ss'' face, with an unsettled expression on his own.


    "Come sit. Have a seat with your dad," he said as he adjusted, making space for Ss to sit.


    "Ss, you and your dad stay here while I go finish preparing dinner with Alex," Kim said to him and returned to the kitchen.


    Ss nodded at her and took his seat beside his father.


    "Dad..." Ss greeted as he sat down.


    "Son... how was your trip?" his father asked as he patted Ss on the shoulder.


    "It was fine," Ss shrugged and turned to watch the news.


    He knew his father wanted to know what had kept him busy for three months, but there was no way he was going to tell him the truth.


    If he had to say anything, he would just make something up. He knew that if he imed he was busy with business, his father wouldn''t question him further.


    This was why he told Luna and the security guards to stay at the house where the security team guarding his family was staying, as he didn''t want to have to exin anything to them.


    There wouldn''t be any real problem if he came back with Luna, but Ss didn''t want to create any misunderstandings with his dad and Kim.


    Chris looked at his son, who was now focused on the news, and smiled wryly.


    "Son, you can tell me if there''s anything bothering you. I know things weren''t good between us in the past, but you can tell me anything, and I''ll do my best to help out."


    Ss looked at his father, and their eyes met. He smiled and patted his father on the shoulder.


    "That was in the past. You don''t have to dwell on it anymore. If anything is really bothering me, I''ll let you know," he said, and his father smiled brightly.


    "Thanks, son, for giving me a chance." Chris said, turning his attention back to the news.


    "Son, I heard something," Chris said, briefly ncing at Ss, a look that Ss noticed.


    "What is it?" Ss asked as he continued watching the news.


    There wasn''t anything noteworthy being broadcasted, but Ss was watching because there wasn''t much else for him to do.


    "Lucas is being tried next week, and from what I''ve heard, there are a lot of allegations against him. He won''t be able to escape being jailed this time. I also heard that hispany is under investigation for financial crimes and will be closed down soon." Chris paused and looked at Ss with a smile. "And I was told it was all your doing, son. Thank you."


    Ss smiled at his father''s words. There was no need for thanks, as all he had done was take revenge on the person who made his school life a living hell.


    "There''s no need for thanks, Dad. If I hadn''t done it, someone else would have. Besides, karma was already catching up to him."


    "Still, I''m grateful that it was you. Thank you. I will do my best to make amends for everything I''ve done in the past," Chris said, with determination in his voice.


    Ss could only smile at his father''s words. He was d his father wanted to make up for everything he did wrong in the past, and he was happy about it. But due to their previousck of interaction, he wasn''t exactly enthusiastic.


    He wanted to tell him not to do too much, but he felt that might send the wrong message, so he decided to keep quiet.


    The two of them continued watching the news until when they were informed by Kim that dinner was ready. They stood up and went to the dining area.


    As he walked into the dining area, he saw Alex running toward him with a happy smile on his face. Ss opened his arms, allowing Alex to collide into them.


    "How are you, champ? I was told you were helping out with dinner in the kitchen," Ss said as he ruffled Alex''s hair and lifted him off the ground.


    "I was. Wee home, big brother."


    "Thank you, champ."


    The three of them took their seats at the dining table, where Kim was already waiting.


    Once they were seated, they started eating dinner with smiles on their faces.


    As they ate, they chatted about lighthearted things, making the atmosphere even more enjoyable.


    After dinner, Kim and Alex cleared the table and did the dishes, while Ss went to his room and Chris went back to watching TV.


    When he got to his room, Ss took a bath and put on a light pair of shorts for sleeping before heading to Alex''s room.


    Since he had juste home after three months, he intended to spend time with Alex ying games. They would y until Alex started feeling sleepy, as it was the weekend tomorrow.


    Inside Alex''s room, Ss sat on the bed and started booting up the yStation, setting up everything before Alex was done with the dishes.


    After he finished the setup, he saw the door open, and Alex walked in.


    "Hey, champ. Wanna take some beating from me before going to bed?" Ss asked with a mischievous smile, pointing at the TV screen disying the game.


    Alex smiled when he saw this. He had been thinking about asking Ss to y with him.


    It seemed like they had the same thought.


    "Big brother, do you really think you can beat me? I''ve gotten good at the game, and I''ll be the one to deal the beating this time," Alex said excitedly as he took his seat beside Ss and picked up a controller.


    "Confident, aren''t we? Let''s see how good you are, then," Ss smiled mischievously as he ruffled Alex''s hair.


    The game started, and the two of them yed deep into the night. When Ss noticed that Alex was already dozing off, he stopped the game and tucked him into bed.


    "Good night, champ," Ss said as he switched off the lights in Alex''s room before heading to his own.


    Ss got into his room and slumped onto the bed.


    "I think it''s time for everyone to take a vacation," Ss said as he looked out the window.