Sense of familiarity

~Outside the Dinner hall~

Brandon hurried to his car, yanked the door open, and slid inside. His hands trembled as he fumbled with the ignition key, his breaths coming in shallow gasps.

Before he could start the car, the passenger door clicked open, and Lucian slid in beside him.

"Brandon, listen to me," Lucian said firmly, his voice laced with concern. "You can't drive in this state."

Brandon gritted his teeth, his grip tightening around the steering wheel.

He ignored Lucian's presence and voice, as the engine came to life, swiftly maneuvered through the parking lot before he pressed down on the throttle.

"Brandon, you have to stop this car. You might get us killed. Lucian dare not struggle with to get control of the steering wheel. After a while, they pulled up at a seaside.

They both sat back in the car, Brandon's mood melancholic and depressing.

"Lucian, it was my fault. My kid sister was lost because of me. It was my mistake. My carelessness…" His voice cracked, he bowed his head on the steering wheel.

Lucian's jaw clenched. He had seen this before—how the mere presence of someone who resembled Brandon's sister could shatter him. It was the very reason Brandon had stayed out of the country for so long.

Brandon had hoped that by returning, he could finally put the past behind him. But fate had other plans. Within hours of stepping off the plane, the past had come crashing down on him—standing before him in the form of Scarlet.

Lucian hesitated before speaking. "Brandon… can't you accept Scarlet Roberts?"

Brandon's gaze flickered toward him, dark and unreadable. He scoffed lightly "That gold digger was never my sister and you know she's not her," he said, his voice low but heavy with meaning. "She can never be her." He muttered.

A bitter smirk played on his lips as he turned to Lucian fully. "Otherwise, why did you feel relieved that the marriage was registered with a mistaken bride?"

Lucian stiffened. The words hit deeper than he expected, because he never had the intention but as his family continuously pressed for alliance with the Roberts, he agreed and possibly to divorce later.

He stared at Brandon for a while "Do you even know the name of my wife?" Lucian asked, his tone steady yet probing.

Brandon shook his head in negation, he was planning on asking her name before he became drawn to her puffed cheeks.

Recalling the puffed cheeks, an unconscious smile crept to his face but it disappeared as it came.

"Her name is Scarlet Winter." Lucian answered with his brow raised.

Brandon's head snapped toward him, his gaze locking onto Lucian's. "Your wife's name is Scarlet?" he repeated, his voice carrying a note of disbelief.

Lucian nodded. "Don't you think there's a distinctive familiarity between them?"

Brandon's expression darkened, his mind racing. Lucian wasn't just speculating—he had felt some closeness with her in that hall.

The moment he met Scarlet, he felt some affinity toward her not just about being a friend's wife but more like a close, respectable friend he held in high esteem, an inexplicable pull.

Lucian, too, had felt something the first time he saw her picture online. It was an instinctive draw, one he couldn't ignore. But seeing Scarlet standing in the same light as Scarlet Roberts only solidified his suspicions. Now, he was convinced—Scarlet's past was worth digging into.

Of course, he wouldn't act without her consent. He would talk to her first, let her decide if she truly wanted to uncover whatever secrets lay buried in her past. And if she did, he was more than willing to help.

Lucian took a deep breath. "Brandon, can we go back?"

Brandon shook his head, his hands balling into fists on his lap. "I can't go back. Not this time."

Lucian exhaled sharply. "You can't keep running," he countered, his voice unwavering. "You need to face your fears, Brandon. Seeing Scarlet again isn't going to break you."

The car fell into a tense silence. Hours passed as Lucian persisted, reasoning with him, chipping away at his resistance. He wouldn't let Brandon succumb to his fears anymore.

May be it is time to investigate the incident of that year—there is need to get answers.

After what felt like an eternity, Brandon finally let out a weary sigh and nodded. He understood Lucian's worry because as long as they remain friends he will meet be seeing Scarlet.

"Fine, let's go back," he muttered.

Lucian wasted no time. This time he opted to drive the car and they both switched sides. He started the car and drove back toward the banquet hall, his mind restless.

The moment they neared the entrance, realization struck him like a blow.

"Damn," Lucian cursed under his breath, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

"What is the problem?"

"I really offended Scarlet now. I left her standing there without a proper explanation."

Brandon, who had been staring blankly ahead, felt his breath hitch. He hadn't considered that his reaction might have inadvertently put his friend's relationship at risk. If Scarlet misunderstood, it could create a rift—one that Lucian couldn't afford.

"You think she'll be upset?" Brandon asked hesitantly.

Lucian exhaled sharply. "She has every right to be." He unfastened his seatbelt in a hurry. "But I need to fix it before it's too late."

Brandon watched as Lucian strode toward the entrance, determination evident in every step. He clenched his jaw.

In the hall, Lucian scanned the crowd, his sharp gaze searching for Scarlet. But she was nowhere in sight. His jaw tightened as he swept his eyes across the banquet hall again, yet there was no sign of her.

His fists clenched in frustration. Where could she have gone?

Confusion swirled within him. Had she left? Was she upset? Guilt gnawed at him as he realized just how long he had been away. He turned to Brandon, his voice low but urgent.

"She's not here," Lucian muttered.

Brandon frowned, glancing around. "Maybe she stepped outside?"

Lucian didn't respond. Without another word, he strode toward the nearest exit.