OUR NEW HOME.

Chapter 13

The next morning started like any other, or at least it tried to. Ju Long’s words from the night before still echoed in my mind—he didn’t know why his stepbrother was still targeting me, even after meeting me. That mystery gnawed at my thoughts as I got ready for work. I had barely slipped my feet into my shoes when Ju Long’s voice stopped me.

"Where are you going?" he asked from behind, arms crossed, brows furrowed.

"What kind of question is that, Ju Long? Obviously, I’m getting ready for the office," I replied, confused.

He stepped closer, his tone firm. "You’re not coming with us, Bharu. You’re staying home today."

I froze, staring at him. "What the heck, Ju Long? Why do I have to stay at home?"

Just then, Min Ai entered, fixing her earrings. "She doesn’t have to stay at home," she said calmly.

Ju Long turned to her, clearly frustrated. "Min Ai, you know the situation. It’s not safe. She could be in danger—they kidnapped you, remember?!"

Min Ai remained composed. "Don’t worry. We’ll stick together. No one’s going to touch her—not while we’re around."

I stepped between them. "Ju Long, I’ll be fine. Please, don’t overthink it. I’ll stay close to you guys. Just let me work."

After a few tense minutes, he finally gave in with a reluctant sigh. Min Ai gave me a strange, creepy smile behind him.

I narrowed my eyes. "Min Ai… why are you smiling like that?"

Ju Long turned to look at her. She blinked innocently. "What? I’m just smiling."

I shook my head. "Maybe I’m just overthinking. Let’s go."

At the office, Ju Long hovered around me like a shadow. He didn’t leave my side for a moment. He even rearranged my workspace, moving my cabin inside his room.

"Ju Long, I need to pee," I said, half-laughing.

He stood up instantly. "I’ll come with you."

"What the—no! I need some privacy!" I yelled and bolted from his room.

After finishing in the restroom, I made my way to Min Ai’s desk. "Min Ai, can we go to the cafeteria? I need a break."

She raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be stuck with my brother?"

"Exactly! He’s torturing me. He won’t let me breathe. This is the only moment I’ve gotten away. Please, let’s go."

She finally agreed, but she was quiet the entire walk. In the cafeteria, she went to grab drinks. I sat scrolling through my phone, enjoying the tiny moment of peace.

She came back and handed me my favorite drink. "Ahh, my favorite! Thanks, lady," I said, smiling.

Just as I brought the drink to my lips, someone smacked it out of my hand.

"What the hell?!" I yelled.

Ju Long stood there, face red with anger. If anger could steam, he’d be boiling.

("His face looks like a tomato when he’s angry," I thought, hiding a smirk.)

"Didn’t I tell you to stay with me?" he demanded.

"Can’t you see I’m with your sister?!" I argued.

"Even so, it’s dangerous. You’re only allowed to eat or drink what I give you. I’m not taking any chances."

Before I could protest, he grabbed my wrist, pulled me out of the cafeteria, and shoved me gently—but firmly—into the car.

"Where are we going?" I asked, frustrated.

"Home. You wanted a drink? I’ll give you one at home," he snapped.

I let out a sigh of disbelief. "Mr. Ju Long, this is overboard."

He didn’t respond. We drove in silence until he parked the car in front of a new house.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"This is our new home," he said, unlocking the gate. "We’re staying here from now on."

"What about Min Ai? Isn’t it dangerous for her to stay alone?"

"No. I trust her. But I can’t trust anyone else with you."

His voice was heavy with fear and exhaustion. I could feel it—his worry. I sighed. "Okay, babe. I understand."

We stepped inside. The house smelled of fresh wood and new paint. He held my hands tightly.

"Babe, you’re everything to me. I don’t want to lose you. If something ever happens to you, I swear I’d end myself."

My heart clenched. "Don’t you dare say that again, Ju Long," I scolded. "If anyone’s dying, it’ll be me killing you first."

He laughed softly, and I pulled him into a kiss.

But before things could go further, the front door creaked open.

We pulled apart in alarm. It was Min Ai.

"How did you find us?!" I asked, shocked.

She stood in the doorway, her face unreadable. "I followed you."

She turned her gaze sharply to Ju Long, eyes blazing with betrayal. "What the hell are you doing? You’re so obsessed with protecting her that you’ve completely erased me! You bought her a whole damn house, Ju Long—without even thinking to tell me. Do I even matter to you anymore?"

"Min Ai, please—" Ju Long began, his voice strained.

"Don’t," I cut in, voice shaking. "You know it’s not like that. You know this wasn’t about—"

"Shut up, Bharathi!" Min Ai hissed, her voice razor-sharp. "You! It all started because of you! Everything went to hell the moment you stepped into our lives."

I staggered back, as if her words had physically struck me. "I... I can’t believe you just said that."

"I said shut the fuck up!" she screamed, her voice thunderous now, full of venom.

The air turned electric, thick with tension and fury. I could barely breathe.

Ju Long’s expression darkened as he stepped protectively in front of me. "That’s enough, Min Ai. Get out. Now."

I stood frozen, the tears spilling silently down my cheeks. Watching them—two people I cared about—stand on opposite sides of a fault line that had just split wide open around me.

I turned and ran—not knowing the house well, I fled into the kitchen and sank to the floor.

Moments later, Ju Long burst into the kitchen, breath ragged, panic etched across his face.

"Babe, look at me," he pleaded, his voice low but urgent.

I kept my face turned to the wall, arms wrapped around myself like a fragile shell.

He stepped closer, kneeling beside me. "Please," he repeated, voice trembling. "Now you understand... why I dragged you here. Why I’ve been so damn paranoid. I can’t— I can’t lose you."

I gave a faint nod, unable to speak, my throat clogged with the burn of unspoken pain.

He pulled me into his arms, gripping me like he was afraid I might vanish. "Min Ai... she loses control sometimes. But this—this wasn’t your fault. Don’t carry her storm inside you."

His voice cracked, and I felt his chest tremble as if he were the one trying not to cry.

I broke down completely, sobbing into his shoulder, my cries coming out in gasps. Everything—her words, his fear, my helplessness—poured out all at once.

He rested his chin on my head, then gently tapped my forehead. "You’re only allowed to cry when I’m gone, you know that, right? Not before. Never before."

I sniffled, looking up at him through wet lashes. "And I won’t let you die. Not in this life. Not in any damn life."

He gave a weak smile, filled with pain and promise. "Then we hold the line together. No matter what comes."

And in that fragile moment, as the world outside raged with secrets and betrayals, we clung to each other like our lives depended on it. Because maybe... they did.

He smiled. "Good. Because I’m not planning on leaving your side. Ever."

And there, in the quiet of that new house, wrapped in his arms, I found something I didn’t expect in the chaos—safety.

But I also knew… this storm wasn’t over yet.