anwhile, since the afternoon, Lucas had been bothering his younger brother in his room.
"You’re not going to sleep this ti, right? You don’t have fencing class?" Lucas asked, in his usual cheeky tone, walking toward the bed where Nael was lying down.
Nael startled a bit and put down his phone. "No. You know I’m in my final years, right?"
Lucas shrugged. "I thought they were still practicing."
Nael fell silent, moving to sit up on the bed.
"What are you doing? Watching porn?" Lucas asked, his voice a casual drawl. He didn’t want to talk about Zimr or the fact that he already knew Nael’s secret. He tried to act normal, even though he really wanted to mock his younger brother.
Who the fuck would fall for an old teacher? Even though he is handso.
But Lucas tried hard not to let it slip.
"What? I’m not a pervert like you! I’m just... studying," Nael lied, his voice sounding thin even to his own ears. He quickly tucked his phone under a textbook on the bedside table.
Lucas snorted, reaching out to ruffle Nael’s perfectly styled hair with enough force to ss it up. "Liar. Liaaarrr!!"
Nael swatted his hand away, a flash of genuine annoyance crossing his pale face. "Stop it! I’m not in the mood."
"I’m bored." Lucas grabbed Nael’s hand, trying to pull him off the bed.
Nael groaned in annoyance. "Go bother Roger or Leo!" he said.
"Roger is busy, and Leo is... well, being Leo," Lucas replied, continuing to pull. Then he grabbed a controller from Nael’s nightstand and tossed it at Nael’s chest. "1v1 . Warzone. If I win, you have to eat my broccoli and carrots."
Nael caught the controller reflexively. He looked at it, then at Lucas. For a mont, the heavy, suffocating cloud of Zimr’s image felt a little lighter, pushed aside by Lucas’s mindless competitiveness.
"I’ll destroy you," Nael said, his voice a little steadier.
"Like you ever win," Lucas smirked, already turning on the console. "Get your head in the ga. I don’t play against losers."
As the screen flickered to life, Lucas leaned back, his shoulder bumping into Nael’s many tis.
They fought constantly during the gas. Who knows how many hours passed as they devoured snacks and several bottles of Coke.
Before dinnerti arrived, there was a knock on the door.
Nael and Lucas were too focused on the ga to notice, until the door opened. Only then did they turn their heads at the sa ti.
Alexander.
The man didn’t say a word, but the atmosphere in the room changed instantly, the temperature seeming to drop ten degrees. Lucas froze mid-sprint on the screen, his character taking a fatal hit. He didn’t even groan. He just felt the weight of Alexander’s gaze on the back of his neck.
But Lucas had already predicted his brother would co for Nael; he was curious about what Alexander would do.
Alexander walked over and placed a hand on Lucas’s shoulder. "I need to talk to Nael. Get ready for dinner."
"Well, yeah! Anyway, I’m winning," Lucas claid victory.
Nael didn’t accept it, but he only made a disapproving expression.
Lucas laughed. "We play again tomorrow!" He caught Nael’s eye for a split second, a look of warning and pity, before standing up and slipping out, closing the door softly behind him.
Nael remained on the floor, his fingers still curled around the controller. His heart began to thud against his ribs, a slow, heavy drum. Alexander rarely ca to his room just to "talk." Usually, Alexander sent a ssage through Huan or summoned him to the study. Although recently, the man had been acting unusually.
So Nael didn’t know what Alexander wanted now.
"Co. Sit on the sofa. I need to talk to you," Alexander directed, gesturing toward the sofa area by the window.
Nael obeyed, his movents stiff. He felt small as Alexander sat down opposite him, calm but intimidating.
"You know I love you very much, don’t you, Nael?" Alexander asked. His voice was unusually soft, his gaze gentle but sharp.
Nael blinked, his throat dry. "Mmmnh... yes. I know." He searched Alexander’s face. It was a question he had longed to hear, yet hearing it now made him feel like he was standing on a trapdoor. "Why?"
Alexander let out a long, weary sigh. He looked genuinely disappointed, a look that cut Nael deeper than anger ever could.
"I try hard to protect you. I’ve built walls around this family so that nothing can hurt you. So tell ... why do you feel the need to hide things behind my back?"
Nael’s blood turned to ice. He tried to swallow, but his mouth felt like sandpaper. "I... I don’t know what you an."
"What is your relationship with Zimr Hans?" The na struck like a blow.
Nael startled, his body jerking as if he’d been slapped. He knew Alexander had sensed it. He clenched his fists, he didn’t want to get Zimr in trouble.
"No, he is only my teacher."
"Teacher? Then what were you doing behind the school building?"
Nael swallowed hard. "I... I don’t know what you’re talking about."
Alexander sighed. "I’m... truly disappointed."
Nael tensed. His chest felt like it was being split open by a sword. He stared intently at Alexander.
"You really won’t say anything to ?" Alexander continued.
Nael stayed silent for a long ti, looking down and playing with his fingers. He was in a dilemma. If he said anything about Zimr, that man would definitely get into trouble.
"Nael? You don’t think you can hide anything from , right?"
Nael shook his head. "No, just... I don’t have anything to say about him."
Nael held his breath when he heard Alexander sigh again. He felt terrible. He was sure his brother hated him now.
Nael looked at Alexander standing. He looked down, disappointed in himself. He was sure his brother would leave and probably never see him again.
But Alexander walked toward him instead, sat down next to him, pulled him closer, and hugged him.
Nael was surprised.
But he felt Alexander’s broad chest, the man’s strong arms wrapped around his back. The familiar scent of musk perfu. The sweater pressed tightly against his cheek.
"A-Alex..." Nael whispered, feeling his brother’s embrace tighten.
"Did I fail you?" Alexander asked, his voice sounding hurt.
Nael could feel it. Whether it was because he was intimidated or because of Alexander’s loving embrace, Nael’s defenses crumbled. He buried his face in his brother’s neck.
"I’m sorry..." he cried.
Alexander took a breath. "Tell the truth. You know I won’t kill you."
Nael sobbed. "I’m sorry... But we just t behind the school. We didn’t do anything."
"How long has it been?"
Nael stayed silent for a long ti. "Um... three months, maybe less..."
Alexander released the embrace and stared at his younger brother more intently. "What did he do to you?"
Nael felt his face flush and looked down. He wiped his tears.
"Tell . Did you have sex?"
Nael was shocked and imdiately shook his head. "No! Never!"
"Did he ask you to get naked?"
Nael felt his face grow even hotter.
Alexander looked worried. "Is that true?"
Nael shook his head. Today, he had almost been naked in front of that teacher.
"Are you sure?"
Nael nodded. "We... we just kissed."
Alexander looked disgusted.
Nael looked down. "Please, don’t do anything to him. He’s been very good and caring to ."
"You love him more than ?"
Nael swallowed hard. He had never thought about that question before. He stayed silent.
"I don’t want to hurt you. But you have to know the truth. The man you adore is nothing more than a predator who uses students for his own interests."
"Alex, wait... it’s not what you think. He... he cares about , not just the Salazar na. Please, don’t be mad at him. It’s my fault, I—"
"Shh, listen, Nael," Alexander commanded softly. He reached for a tablet on the table and slid it toward Nael. "You think you were his ’special’ student. You think he saw your soul. But this is how he traps his victims."
Alexander showed several folders of photos and data.
Nael looked down. The screen showed a series of folders. Nas. Dates. Most of the pictures were of boys naked in various positions.
Nael felt defensive, but when he saw Zimr in so of the photos, his eyes widened in disbelief. He stared more seriously now.
"They are his victims over ten years, Nael. He used them to get money," Alexander said, his voice thick with dark, protective rage. "Three of them dropped out. One tried to take his own life. Zimr moves every few years before the rumors get too loud, using his ’recomndations’ to find a new hunting ground. You weren’t his soulmate. You were his next paycheck."
Nael stared at the faces on the screen. The reality hit him with the force of a physical blow. The ’sweet baby boy’ whispers, the secret etings in the annex, it was a script. A well-rehearsed, predatory script.
The silence in the room beca suffocating. A tear slid down Nael’s cheek, not for Zimr, but for the version of himself who had been so desperate for love that he walked straight into a trap. He had fallen for Zimr because he wanted what Alexander was giving him now: undivided attention.
Alexander stared at Nael, who was still in shock. He couldn’t help but hug his brother again.
"It’s not your fault. He’s just too good at luring innocent boys like you. But now you know the truth."
Nael stared blankly. He still couldn’t believe it.
"Nael, say sothing."
Nael took a deep breath. "I’m sorry..."
"It makes angry to think he touched you. Now..." Alexander released him, looking him straight in the eyes. "I know you are smart. Tell , do you still want to et him?"
Nael imdiately shook his head. He was hurt, heartbroken, and disgusted. His feelings were tangled and overwhelming.
"No. I didn’t know he was such a criminal."
"Will you let fix him?"
Nael fell silent, imagining what Alexander might do to Zimr, making him tense. Even though he was disgusted, he couldn’t deny that he once had feelings for him.
"Nael?"
Nael shook his head. "Please don’t kill him."
"Why?"
"Because he’s human. He deserves to live. Just... let him stay in prison."
Alexander stared intently at Nael. "Not because you still love him?"
Nael shook his head. "I’m ashad of myself."
Alexander rubbed Nael’s head. "It’s okay. It’s part of your learning journey. But you will realize that you will never see him again."
Nael looked down.
"Nael, not everyone is good. So are the worst. You need to prepare yourself to face them. That’s why I don’t want you hiding anything from ."
Nael sighed. "I can’t reach you as much as I want. You’re always busy and... most of the ti, you avoid ."
Alexander grabbed Nael’s arm. "I’m sorry. That’s my mistake. I’ll try to change. You will always be able to reach ."
"Because of Nathan?" Nael asked, looking at Alexander.
Alexander stared at his younger brother for a long ti. "Well... sorry about that. I know it’s late. But I’ll try to make it up to you. And it’s not because of Nathan that I want to spend ti with you."
Nael wrapped his arms around his brother’s neck and hugged him.
"Nael, don’t ever cling to anyone older than anymore. Never! Find soone around your age, please!"
Nael pouted. "You can’t tell people their love preference."
"Seriously? You like old people?"
Nael defended himself. "He’s not that old."
"You still want to date him?"
"No! Never."
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