"You didn’t just say that to me. You realise Aselia and I share a bond which we don’t even understand yet. It transcends simple affections and attractions. It doesn’t break hence we can’t let go of each other. Layna left you and moved on with someone else and now she is back because she needs a favour. There is a difference. Why are you so blind to see it?" Xiran spat out in anger, he was raging at the way Rivan had tried to insult Aselia.

The tension that began as a spark had ignited into a wildfire between them and it was getting out of control.

"I am not blind. I care for her, I always did and I always will. She is vulnerable right now and is seeking help. I am not going to let her end up in the clutches of the wrong people. She is pregnant and needs a safe place to stay and I have promised to provide her with one."

Rivan’s lips slightly twitched at this revelation and Xiran knew how much finding this out must have hurt his friend. He had always dreamt to be a father but Layna always chose her career, making excuses that she was not ready for a child and yet she had the audacity to return to him by getting pregnant by someone else.

"So you are fine with her getting knocked up by someone else and playing daddy to her child? Are you even listening to yourself Rivan? What’s wrong with you?" Xiran’s voice had deepened, the anger was almost making him lose control. He wanted to beat some sense into his friend. Only his immeasurable love for him was holding him back.

"There is nothing wrong with me. My mind is made up," Rivan glared back at the Silver-haired vampire who was breathing fire through his nostrils at this point.

Xiran burst out:

"Unbelievable. And what should I tell my sister? That you have been giving her false hope. I am not going to let her get hurt because I know how this will unfold. She will soon take up your mind, your house and Irlana will be cornered or left to suffer."

Rivan flinched at Xiran’s allegations but he tried to keep his composure:

"Nothing like that will happen. Irlana will stay with me. I am only giving protection to Layna, not accepting her back in my life." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"The hell she will. I let her stay with you because she wanted to and Layna was not in the picture. Irlana has been through enough and I promised her that no one will hurt her anymore, not even you Rivan. I am taking my sister with me. You set up your priorities," Xiran straightened up, this is not how he had imagined the party to go. This enraged Rivan and he banged his fist with such force on the table that it broke in two parts. He stood up and glowered back with equal intensity.

"Damnit! You think so low of me. I like Irlana and you are not the only one who made such an oath to her."

Xiran scoffed at his words, his tone was almost condescending:

"Do you love her though? Like you do Layna? Will you choose her above Layna?" Xiran threw these prickly questions at him, like arrows dipped in acid, leaving him speechless. The silence stretched between them like a rubber band with Rivan holding its end for his answer will break that silence and it will hit Xiran with full force.

"We are still in the process, I just got her back."

"That’s not the answer to my question. My sister is not optional Rivan. If she can’t be the only woman in your life then there is no point and I know you will choose Layna," the disappointment in Xiran’s voice reflected the profound sadness that had settled in his eyes. This hit Rivan like a boulder and the pain seeped into his bones.

"Xiran! Don’t do this," he pleaded and tried to step closer to him but Xiran took a step back and Rivan halted in his tracks. The once unshakeable bond between them seemed to crumble like sand and this jolted them both.

"You made your choices and this time they are not the wise ones. She will wreck your life and everyone around you. That’s why Irlana and Elrine will live with me from today onwards."

Xiran’s forehead had etched with lines of disapproval. He had never imagined that one day he would fight with his friend in a manner that will leave them both on the edge of breaking down. They had their differences in the past but they had never fought like this.

The heaviness of his words filled Rivan’s lungs like a poisonous smog, constricting his lungs, and plunging him deep into the depths of inescapable hurt and loss. The trust between them seemed to be shattering as they both stood on the fragile bridge of distrust.

"Matters of heart are not that easy and straightforward, Xiran. I thought you understood that now," the fact that Rivan had used his full name instead of his nickname made him almost flinch with the searing pain that struck his heart like a whetted knife, making a permanent hole not to be filled.

"I do when it comes to me but I don’t when it comes to my sister especially when it concerns my best friend; whom I trusted more than anyone to make the right choice. Yet he didn’t. Call me when she is gone from your life, not before," with those words Xiran’s eyes lingered on Rivan, conveying the massive amount of letdown his words and actions had brought him.

Before Rivan could speak again Xiran was gone, leaving him in a state of perpetual agony.

Reaching the hall, Xiran entered it in such a furious mood that everyone halted in their actions and stared at him.

"Rumail, take Irlana and Elrine and drop them at my house.

Frila, accompany them and arrange my house according to their needs.

Zir, after you drop Arimie home, I want you to help Frila set up the house."

He ordered in his gruff voice while clutching his hands tightly that his muscles flexed. Everyone instantly moved without questioning him.

"What happened?" Irlana asked with tear-filled eyes, anticipating that something horrible had happened.

"Nothing. You will live with me from now on," the pain in his chest was magnifying with each passing second. He could feel his life crumbling all around him. First Aselia, then the failed mission and now Rivan.