Embracing Responsibility.

Embracing Responsibility.

Pepper's expression softened as she continued. "Aunt is still around, but she's had her own battles to fight. She tried to support us, but it's been hard." A shadow passed over her face as she added, "But after some time, we weren't able to contact her anymore. It's like she vanished."

Rudra felt a pang of concern. "What do you mean she vanished?" Pepper sighed; her voice heavy with the memories. "We tried to meet her many times, but guards of her mansion don't let us enter inside the mansion. We only saw Sofie once or twice after your accident, and she was very disturbed by your condition. The, after your accident, we heard she went abroad for studied and lost contact with us completely."

The weight of her words settled on Rudra like a lead blanket – his aunt, a figure who and filled a maternal role in his life, and Sofie, the girl his family and his aunt had once promised to marry him to. She was like to him…. like childhood sweetheart. In divine realm he often remembered her and the time both spend. the thought of her brought back fragment of childhood joy that felt impossibly distant now.

"I need to find out what happened," Rudra said firmly, but a strange heaviness lingered in his chest. His mother had disappeared after giving the birth of Kylie, and now it seemed as if another vital connection had been severed.

"After your coma, we had no way to live in the mansion," Pepper explained, pulling him from his thoughts. "So, we sold it to cover medicine expenses and settled here." Her tone grew heavier, almost as if she were reliving the struggles they had faced. "This month, Kylie has her final exams for her high school and I've been working at a little night bar to make ends meet." Rudra felt his heart clench at the thought of his family living in such conditions. He had ruled in the divine realm with luxury and power, and hear his own family was struggling to survive. It was unacceptable. He couldn't; let this continue. He nodded to uncover the truth, gain power, and ensure that they would never have to face hardship ever again.

He took both of Pepper's hands in his, his voice steady and reassuring. "Don't worry. I am back now, and I will wield my responsibility as your brother."

Pepper smiled lightly, but her eyes shimmered with unshed tear. "Oh, you are now playing the big brother role? How sweet," she teased, her voice light but still emotional. Rudra pressed on, more serious now. "Sis, you should quite your job at the night bar. I've earned enough, and for now, we have plenty of money to survive."

Pepper hesitates, frowning slightly. "But it's not that easy, Rudra. it's not a good idea to quite job and I need to—"

"Brother is right!" Kylie chimed in from the side, here eyes wide with concern. "Please, big sis you've worked there for too long, and you also know that place is not good for you to work."

With a soft sigh, Pepper relented. "Okay, okay. I'll consider it."

"Let's make it official then. I'll go with you to the bar today. You can reign and we'll walk home together, just like old time," Rudra suggested, determination shinning in his eyes. Pepper lightly pinched her little brother cheeks. "Alright, little Brother. You win," she said with a teasing smile, but he could see the relief in her eyes.

As they prepared to head out, Rudra felt a newfound sense of purpose. He was ready to reclaim their lives and protect his family from whatever danger lay ahead. They would find a way to restore their dignity and happiness, together.