Chapter 26 - The Disappearance of a Sibling

The warmth in the room cooled instantly as Rose's expression shifted. Gone was the teasing glint in her eye, the playful banter about baby shopping. Her face fell, her lips pressing into a thin line as she avoided Anastasia's gaze.

"What is it?" Anastasia asked, her brows knitting in concern.

Rose hesitated, wringing her hands. "I wasn't sure if I should bring this up now," she began softly. "But since you're in better spirits, I think… maybe it's time I tell you about Dylan."

The air grew heavy. Just the name sent a shiver down Anastasia's spine. Dylan—her ex-boyfriend, the man who had cheated on her, betrayed her, and left her heart shattered before Bastian came back into her life. Then held her captive and tried to force himself on her. She'd put Dylan out of her mind, or at least she thought she had, but the mention of him now made her stomach twist.

"What about him?" Anastasia asked, her voice guarded.

Rose bit her lip and looked down, as if searching for the right words. "It's… complicated."

Anastasia crossed her arms, her heart thudding. "Try me."

Rose sighed and sank onto the nearest bench, her shoulders slumping. "When you told me about Dylan, you know, about how he held you captive… I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. So I went home to confront him or dig around. I thought maybe I could find something—anything—to explain why he did what he did. But the oddest thing happened."

Anastasia sat down across from her, leaning in. "What do you mean?"

Rose lifted her eyes, glistening with unshed tears. "There was no trace of him, Ana. Nothing. No pictures, no letters, no gifts—nothing. It's like he never existed."

"What?" Anastasia blinked, confusion knitting her brow.

"I mean it. He's gone. Completely." Rose's voice wavered, and she swiped at her eyes. "When I asked my parents about him, they looked at me like I was crazy. They told me I was their only adopted child. They don't remember him at all."

"That's impossible," Anastasia said, shaking her head. "They can't just forget him. He lived with you for years. I met him through you!"

"I know," Rose whispered, her voice barely audible. "But it's not just them. Billy and I went to his university. There were no records of him there. None of his old friends remembered him, either. They acted like I'd made him up."

"That doesn't make any sense. What about the adoption agency?"

Rose let out a bitter laugh. "We tried. Billy called them, I went in person, but they had nothing. No file, no history, no proof that Dylan was ever part of our family. It's like he was erased."

Anastasia stared at her friend, her heart pounding. "But you remember him."

"I do," Rose said, tears streaming down her face now. "I remember everything. I remember how he used to steal fries off my plate and blame it on the cat. How he'd stay up late helping me with school projects. How we used to fight over the TV remote but always ended up watching whatever I wanted. He was my brother, Ana. And now… now it's like I'm the only one who ever knew him."

Rose's voice cracked, and she buried her face in her hands. "I lost him. I lost my brother, and I don't even know how or why. I didn't want to tell you because of everything you've been going through. But I've been holding it in for so long, and it's killing me."

Anastasia's chest tightened, guilt washing over her. She hadn't been there for Rose—not the way Rose had been there for her. She'd been so consumed by her own grief, her own anger, that she hadn't noticed her best friend's pain.

"Rose," she said softly, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I should've seen it. I should've been there for you."

Rose shook her head, her voice muffled. "It's not your fault. I didn't want to burden you. You've had enough on your plate."

Anastasia's heart ached and she couldn't tell her that Dylan had evil within him as if he were…a demon. She pulled Rose into a tight hug, holding her as she cried. "We're going to figure this out," she said firmly. "We'll find Dylan. We'll get answers. I promise."

Rose pulled back, her eyes red and swollen but filled with a flicker of hope. "You really think we can?"

Anastasia nodded, determination hardening her features. "Yes. Whatever's going on, we'll get to the bottom of it. Dylan didn't just vanish. There's a reason for all of this, and we're going to find out what it is."

Rose sniffled and managed a small smile. "Thank you, Ana."

Anastasia smiled back, though her mind was already racing. She had to find Dylan and get answers. For Rose. But how?