They were almost at the door when, suddenly, it swung open-


    Chad, seated in his wheelchair, rolled slowly out of the room.


    Thaddeus froze mid-step. His breath caught in his chest, rising and falling just enough to betray his tension.


    The hallway between them wasn''t long-a stretch of empty, sterile space-but the silence that settled as the two brothers faced each other was heavy with everything left unsaid.


    Thaddeus stood bathed in the harsh white re of the hospital lights, every angle of his face chiseled and still, as if he were some timeless statue. Chad lingered in the shadows beyond, silent, nearly blending into the gloom. If not for the sickly pallor of his handsome features, you might not even notice he was there at all.


    He looked like a serpent. Or the shadow of something much darker.


    For a long moment, neither moved. Finally, Thaddeus broke first, forcing himself forward with measured, deliberate strides.


    A faint, unspoken longing twisted in his chest-the urge to see Evadne.


    He was almost at the door when Chad''s lips curled into a smile. Chad extended his right arm, barring Thaddeus''s way.


    "Thaddeus, what brings you here sote?" The words were gentle, but the smile didn''t reach his eyes.


    Thaddeus swallowed hard, his voice rough. "Ms. Evadne was in an ident today. Is she alright?"


    "She''ll be fine. Her old injury red up-doctor says she needs rest."


    "I just want to check on her," Thaddeus murmured.


    Chad''s eyes glinted, cold and fathomless. "She''s already asleep."


    Evadne...


    That name, spoken so intimately, used to belong to Thaddeus alone. Hearing Chad say it now left him dizzy, as though the ground beneath him had dropped away.


    A tight ache welled up behind his eyes and threatened to spill over.


    "I just want to see her for a moment. I won''t stay."


    He pressed his lips together and tried to move past, but Chad caught his arm in a sudden, iron grip.


    "Thaddeus."


    He stopped, ncing down at the hand mped around his sleeve. The pressure of those pale fingers only grew.


    His tone dropped, low and steely. "What are you doing?"


    "I''m stopping you. Isn''t that obvious?"


    Thaddeus''s brow furrowed. "Why?"


    Chad''s smile lingered, but his eyes were dark, bottomless. "Because I don''t think


    you should be anywhere near Evadne right now.


    When she needed someone


    most-after the ident-it was me who stayed by her side. I was the one who pulled her out of danger today. Every moment she needed you, you were nowhere to be found. And now you show up, what for? To soothe your own conscience? To remind her you exist?"  s


    Thaddeus flinched. His lips thinned, drained of color.


    even once.


    He couldn''t remember a time when Chad had ever spoken to him so harshly—not


    And all because of Evadne.


    "Ever since you joined the Abernathy


    family, you''ve had everything


    handed to you on a silver tter.


    toy


    ver


    Grandpa''s affection, Dad''s trust, your seat at the head of the


    any of that from you. /ed to take


    you for it.  s


    fought


    But Evadne—she''s different. I mean it, Thaddeus. I won''t let you steal my thunder this time."<fn8143> Official source is f?ndnovel</fn8143>


    Chad''s words were blunt, sharp as


    ss,ced with a mocking edge. Yet his smile stayed warm, alm pleasant as if he bore, no ill will. "Besides, she''s not yours anymore. If you''re going to cut ties, do itopletely.  s


    Otherwise, this time, I really will be angry with you."