A Brother’s Visit

The door creaked open, and George stood there, his sharp eyes scanning me up and down. He looked the same—calm, composed, always calculating. But the moment he realized it was me, his expression shifted.

"Took you long enough."

I smirked. "Had some things to take care of."

George sighed and stepped aside, letting me in. "I figured. You always come back when everything's already handled."

I walked inside, scanning the place. It was simple but secure. No signs of anyone knowing Kayla was here. Good.

Then, I heard her voice.

"George? Who's at the door?"

Footsteps echoed down the hall, and Kayla stepped into view.

Her hair was a little longer than I remembered, her face softer—but her eyes still held that same fire. The same stubbornness that made her my sister.

The moment she saw me, her entire body froze.

Her lips parted slightly. "S… Samuel?"

I chuckled, tilting my head. "Hey, kid."

She ran forward, her fists hitting my chest in a flurry of weak punches.

"You idiot! You made me think you were dead too!"

I let her punch me—it didn't hurt, not even a little. But I let her get it out.

Then, finally, she wrapped her arms around me, burying her face into my jacket.

"You're really here…" she whispered.

I sighed, placing a hand on her head. "Yeah. I'm here."

The dinner table was quiet, the sound of utensils softly clinking against the plates. George, Kayla, and I sat together, something we hadn't done in a long time. The meal was simple, nothing extravagant, but it felt… peaceful.

"You really haven't changed," George muttered, watching me eat. "Still stuffing your face like it's your last meal."

I smirked. "Old habits die hard."

Kayla chuckled, shaking her head. But then, her expression turned a little more serious.

"There's something I want to tell you, Samuel," she said, setting down her fork.

I raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's about Lana… my childhood friend."

The moment I heard that name, my hand froze mid-air.

Lana.

How the hell did I forget about her?

As Kayla continued explaining Lana's condition—how she was suffering from the same disease Kayla once had—I barely heard anything.

Because my mind was already racing.

The Novel's Past – A Tragic Mistake

I remembered.

In the original story, Samuel couldn't save Kayla. She died, leaving him in guilt and despair.

And Lana?

She was his only hope.

Desperate to save at least one person, Samuel had turned to Abigail—the same woman who betrayed him, humiliated him, and treated him like trash.

And shockingly, Abigail helped him.

But at a cost.

She made him her slave for life.

Samuel, already broken from losing Kayla, agreed—throwing away his dignity, his life, his freedom.

It was one of the major turning points in the novel.

The moment where Samuel completely lost himself.

But I am not that Samuel.

Back to Reality

I clenched my fist under the table.

"Damn it… how could I forget?"

But it wasn't too late.

I had already saved Kayla. And now, I would do the same for Lana.

This time, Abigail wouldn't have a damn say in it.

I took a deep breath, my mind sharpening.

I had already mastered the Heavenly Ashura Technique—the same technique that saved Kayla's life.

And now, I'd use it to fully heal Lana.

I glanced at Kayla, who was still explaining everything, completely unaware of the storm raging in my head.

I would save Lana. I would keep her far away from Abigail's reach and this time, I wouldn't let history repeat itself.

The streets were quiet as I walked alone, my mind running through the necessary arrangements for what came next.

I had more than enough money—not just from my work as a private investigator, but also from the cash points I received from quests, which could be converted into real currency.

"I'll transfer a good sum to George," I thought. "He can use it to take care of Kayla and Lana without any financial worries."

Lana's recovery would require privacy, safety, and medical attention, but none of that would be a problem.

Everything was falling into place.

Or so I thought.

As I turned a corner, I saw someone familiar.

A woman stood under the dim streetlights, scrolling through her phone.

I immediately recognized her.

Joanna.

Joshua's sister.

And, unfortunately, Abigail's biggest defender.

"Of all the people I could run into…" I sighed internally.

Her eyes snapped up, locking onto me. For a moment, she seemed surprised.

Then her face twisted into an annoyed scowl.

"You!" she said, crossing her arms. "What are you doing here?"

I exhaled, already losing patience. "Walking. Is that a crime now?"

Joanna scoffed. "Tch. Still acting all smug when you're the one ruining Abigail's life?"

I laughed coldly. "Ruining her life? Funny. Because last time I checked, she's the one who cheated, manipulated, and refused to sign the divorce papers."

She huffed, flipping her hair dramatically. "You keep saying that, but maybe she has her reasons.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I told you already—Abigail is the one refusing the divorce. But knowing your tiny brain, you wouldn't understand even if I tattooed it on your forehead."

Her face reddened with anger. "You—!"

I held up a hand. "Look, I don't have time for your nonsense. Believe what you want. Just don't waste my time."

I turned to walk away, not interested in entertaining her stupidity any further.

Behind me, I heard her muttering something under her breath. Probably another delusional excuse for Abigail.

I didn't care. I had bigger things to deal with.