The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 425: [ Volume 1] Chaper 424- follow your heart

Kai continued, each sentence sharp and deliberate. "Not just you—none of us. Do any of us truly have the right to ask her why she kept secrets? When we... we couldn’t even be honest ourselves."

He laughed again, bitter and broken. "Tell me, brother. Did we ever tell her the truth?"

A pause. A silence that screamed.

"Did we ever tell her that we never wanted children? That from the beginning, it was agreed—only one of us would have a child, and it would be you? No, we didn’t. Did we tell her that Ryan and I never even wanted to marry in the first place?"

He shook his head slowly, as if disgusted with himself.

"Did we tell her about the prenup you made her sign—hidden under a stack of official documents she never even read? The one that made sure, even if she left, she left with nothing?" His voice cracked, but only just.

"You talk about her hiding things from us," Kai said, his voice now barely a whisper. "But the truth is... we were the ones who started hiding first."

Then his eyes met Ray’s, steady and accusing.

"So tell me again—who really betrayed who?"

Kai looked at Ray and let out a deep sigh. His voice was softer this time, no longer laced with frustration, just quiet understanding.

"Brother... we lost our parents because of this—this damn fight between what’s right and wrong. Because of this so-called justice, we lost our childhood. We lost memories we were supposed to make. Esme... she lost her parents to it too, and she spent years carrying that pain. And now—now, do you really want to lose her too?"

He paused, his gaze falling, his voice gentler.

"You’re not some elder, Ray. You don’t have to carry us like we’re helpless. You’re just a few seconds older than us—not our parent. You don’t have to carry the whole world on your back."

Kai stepped closer, his tone growing firmer with quiet conviction.

"You can live for yourself. You deserve to. And about the children—Ray, there are four of us. Even if three of us are gone, there’d still be one who’d care for them like they were our own. Because to us... they are. We love them like they’re ours, maybe even more than we would our own. So what if the world says otherwise? Let them. We know the truth."

He swallowed hard, emotion flickering in his eyes.

"I just want you to be happy. Not this version of you—working yourself to the bone, pretending that forgetting her will fix anything. Because it won’t. Since the day she came back, you’ve barely even looked at the kids. You’re with them, but you’re not with them. They see it, Ray. They feel it. And it hurts them too."

Kai’s voice cracked ever so slightly.

"So if you still love her, then go. Chase her. Chase her straight into hell if that’s what it takes. No one here will stop you. It’s your choice. It’s your life. Live it, brother. Stop living for what the world expects from you."

He placed a hand firmly on Ray’s shoulder, eyes sharp but kind.

"We’re not kids anymore. We don’t need you to guide us like some lost flock. You’re our brother—but you’re also a man. A human being. A living, breathing, feeling human."

Kai gave a bitter, tear-stained smile.

"So why the hell are you always putting yourself last?"

He took a shaky breath, voice dipping lower.

"If you want answers, then go to her. Ask. Scream. Slap some damn sense into her if that’s what it takes. Drag her back if she’s being stupid. You don’t have to be this calm, noble saint. Who even made her so untouchable, huh?"

Then, in one steady move, he patted Ray’s shoulder, grounding him.

"Whatever happens, brother... we’ll be here. Always. No matter what. We’ve got your back."

Ray stood still, eyes lowered, as Kai’s words echoed in his mind like a slow burn. His fingers twitched slightly at his sides. For a long while, he didn’t say anything. The silence between them stretched—heavy, suffocating. Then, he laughed. A small, broken sound, more pain than humor.

"...You always talk like you see right through me," Ray muttered, his voice rough and tight.

He turned his face slightly, the edge of his jaw clenched. "You make it sound so easy. Like I can just... chase her down, ask her, scream at her, and it’ll all make sense again."

Ray exhaled, low and shaking. His eyes glistened, but he refused to let the tears fall.

"I wasn’t trying to forget her, Kai. I was trying to survive without her. I thought... if I worked enough, tired myself enough, I wouldn’t feel that ache every time I looked around and she wasn’t there."

He rubbed his face, eyes red-rimmed. "And the kids... I know. I know I haven’t been present. I know they see it. I hear it in their voices when they call me. I feel it in the way they hug me like they’re scared I’ll vanish too."

A bitter smile curled his lips.

"You’re right. About everything. I never told her the truth. I didn’t tell her about the prenup, or what we decided, or what I’d hidden from her behind paperwork and silence. I told myself I was protecting her. But maybe... I was just protecting myself from the fallout."

He turned to Kai now, properly, and for the first time in a long time, there was something else in his eyes.

Fire.

"I don’t know if I’ll drag her back. I don’t know if she’ll even want to come back. But I do want answers. And if that means chasing her to hell, like you said..." Ray gave a low chuckle. "Then I hope hell’s ready."

He straightened his shoulders, breath steadying.

"Watch the kids for me, will you?"

Kai gave a grin, pride flickering behind the concern in his eyes.

"Go get our girl, brother."