Chapter 10: Not Just Your Brother
1080words
"We need to talk. One hour, Oak Park. Just you. —Victor"
I should have ignored this message, should have told my family, but Victor's next message made my blood freeze:
"Unless you want everyone to know the truth about your 'new family.' I have evidence, Ella."
The rain fell harder, soaking my silver hair, plastering it to my face. I knew this could be a trap, but if Victor had truly discovered something about the Moon family's secret...
"How touching, you actually came," Victor emerged from behind a tree, his black raincoat accentuating his handsome profile. Once, this image had made my heart flutter; now, it only filled me with disgust.
"What do you want?" I asked directly.
Victor moved closer, rain sliding down his cheeks. "I want you back, Ella. Leave that weird family, come back to me."
I looked at him in disbelief. "Are you insane?"
"I was wrong," his voice suddenly softened. "I really miss you, miss you so much..."
I stepped back. "Impossible, Victor. I have a new life now, a new family."
Victor's expression instantly darkened. "Ah, yes, your new family." He took out his phone from his pocket. "Do you know what they are, Ella? Do you know why they act strange during full moon nights?"
He showed me his phone screen, displaying a video—blurry but recognizable figures moving in the moonlight, seemingly... transforming?
My heart raced. The video was too blurry to determine what it was, but if it was real...
"This proves nothing," I feigned calmness.
Victor smirked. "Maybe not, but it's enough to make people curious. Imagine if this video was posted on the school forum, or even local news... what would happen to your 'perfect family'?"
I felt a surge of anger. "Are you blackmailing me?"
"I'm giving you a choice," Victor stepped forward, grabbing my wrist. "Come back to me, the video disappears; refuse me, face the consequences."
"Let her go."
A calm but threatening voice came from behind. I turned to see Jay standing in the rain, his silver hair wet, blue eyes flashing dangerously in the gloomy sky.
Victor didn't release me. "This is none of your business."
"Anything that threatens Ella is my business," Jay stepped forward, his voice low. "Last warning, let her go."
Victor smirked, suddenly pushing me aside and charging at Jay. The two grappled in the rain, Victor's fist connecting with Jay's cheek, making him stagger back.
"Jay!" I cried out.
Victor took advantage to attack again, but this time Jay was prepared. He dodged and pushed Victor down onto the muddy ground.
"Enough!" Jay said breathlessly, blood at the corner of his mouth. "This isn't worth it, Victor."
Victor got up, malice flashing in his eyes. "This isn't over, Moon. Your secrets will be exposed, and Ella will see who you really are."
He turned and left, disappearing into the rain.
I rushed to Jay. "You're hurt!"
Jay shook his head, trying to smile. "Just a scratch. Are you okay?"
I nodded, suddenly realizing we were both soaked. "We need to get home. You need that wound treated."
Back at the Moon house, I insisted on treating Jay's wound myself. We sat in the kitchen, the rest of the family away.
"How did you know I was in the park?" I asked, gently dabbing Jay's cut lip with an alcohol swab.
Jay winced slightly but didn't pull away. "Aiden saw Victor's message to you. He hacked your phone."
I paused in surprise. "What?"
"To protect you," Jay explained. "Since Victor appeared, we've all been worried."
I should have felt my privacy was invaded, but strangely, I only felt warmth—someone cared so much about my safety.
"Thank you," I said softly, continuing to treat the wound. "For today, for everything."
Jay caught my hand, stopping my movement. "Ella, about what Victor said... about our family..."
I shook my head. "I don't care. Whatever secrets you have, that's family business. I don't need to know everything."
Jay's expression became complex. "But if one day you learn the truth, will you be afraid? Will you leave?"
I looked at his injured face, thought of all he had done to protect me, thought of the warmth and sense of belonging this home had given me.
"No," I said firmly. "Whatever the truth is, it won't change how good you've all been to me, won't change how this place feels like home."
Jay's expression softened. He gently caressed my cheek. "Ella, you're so good."
The slight burning sensation his fingertips left on my cheek, a strange yet heart-racing touch. I suddenly realized this intimacy had crossed the boundary of family, and a strange panic welled up.
I avoided his eyes, saying softly, "Because you're my family, you're my brother."
Jay's hand froze in mid-air, as if frozen by my words. He slowly lowered his hand, his expression changing from tenderness to an undisguisable disappointment.
"I don't want to just be your brother," his voice was low but firm.
"...You're my teacher, my artistic friend," I couldn't look at him.
"Ella, look at me when you say that."
When our gazes met in the air, like two celestial bodies attracting each other, time seemed to stand still. I felt my heart race, my breathing becoming shallow and rapid. Jay slowly leaned in, his breath brushing my face, carrying the unique scent of pine and paint.
I knew I should back away, should keep my distance, but my body seemed to have a will of its own. I didn't retreat, instead leaning forward involuntarily, wanting to be closer to this person who had given me countless moments of warmth, understanding, and support. In that moment, all reason and concerns were thrown to the winds, leaving only a pure longing.
Just as our lips were about to touch, the sound of the front door opening interrupted the moment, bringing me back to reality.
"We're back!" Aiden's voice came from the entrance. "Noah bought a bunch of ingredients, says he's making a special dinner tonight!"
Jay and I quickly separated as if burned, but that electric sensation still flowed between us, impossible to ignore.
I felt my cheeks burning, the spark in my heart now ignited, like a wildfire that could no longer be extinguished. This feeling was both terrifying and exciting, an emotional storm I had never experienced before.
