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Zayn was still leaning into Rhys when his phone buzzed on the coffee table. He lazily reached for it, not expecting anything important. But as he read the message, the warmth on his face faded instantly.

“Be at home tomorrow. Your brother is coming.” _____Dad.

Zayn rolled his eyes and let out an annoyed groan. “Why don’t they let me be happy for once?”

Rhys lifted his head. “What happened?”

“Dad,” Zayn said flatly. “Adric is coming tomorrow. Dad messaged me.”

Rhys’s eyes widened slightly. “Adric?”

“Yeah.” Zayn tossed his phone aside and slouched further into the couch. “Mr. Golden Boy himself. I can already hear the comparison lectures.”

“Will you be okay?” Rhys asked softly.

Zayn was quiet for a moment, staring blankly at the ceiling before answering.

“I think so... maybe. Depends on how long he plans to ruin my mood.”

Rhys shifted and held his hand. “You know you don’t need to prove anything to anyone, right? Not to your parents. Not to Adric.”

“I know,” Zayn said, forcing a half-smile. “But it would be nice if he just stay away from me.”

Rhys said."And if anything happens just call me I am going to break your brother head."

Zayn looked at Rhys gratefully. “Thanks, baby. I don’t say it often.”

Rhys smiled. “I know. That’s why I’m not going anywhere.”

---

Next day

"Hey Rhys, where’s Zayn today?" Elior asked, looking around as they reached the college gates.

Rhys adjusted his bag and sighed. "Oh, he’s not coming. His brother’s in town, so he had to go home."

Elior raised an eyebrow. "Brother?"

"Yeah…"

"Interesting," Elior muttered with a small smile, then gestured toward the building. "Come on, we’ll be late for class."

They both headed toward the lecture hall.

---

Meanwhile, at the Alaric House…

The moment Zayn stepped into the house, he was hit by a wave of laughter echoing from the living room. He gritted his teeth.

Of course.

He walked in slowly and saw them his mother, his father, and sitting between them like a damn trophy was Adric Alaric, his perfect elder brother.

"Hey Zayn!" Adric stood up with that ever-charming smile, arms spread as he came in for a hug.

Zayn’s jaw clenched, but he leaned in for a quick embrace. "Hey… Adric," he said dryly.

"It’s been two years since I last saw you! And you blocked me."

"Yeah so what,I did," Zayn interrupted quickly, avoiding his eyes.

Adric raised a brow but didn’t press. "Did you eat anything?"

Zayn rolled his eyes. "Wow. That fake caring act still going strong, huh? You can stop pretending now. I’m not here for a family reunion."

"Zayn!" Amelia scolded gently, but Zayn ignored her.

"You all can drop the act. It’s not like I expect anything from this house anymore."

"Come on, Zayn," Adric said, trying to keep his tone light. "We’re just having a conversation. So, how’s college? Studies?"

"Good." Zayn’s reply was curt as he sat down with visible reluctance.

"And your friend?" Adric added casually.

Zayn arched a brow. "Why? Suddenly interested in my life friend's life now?"

Adric chuckled, “No, I’m just asking.”

“Yeah, well, don’t.” Zayn leaned back, a sharp glint in his eyes. “I’d allow my friend to date a stray dog before I let them near you.”

The room fell into an awkward silence. Lucien’s smile faltered slightly.

“Zayn!” His father’s voice boomed.

"Okk I am going."

His mother asked "where are you going."

But Zayn was already standing up. “Relax. I’m just going to my room. Or should I change clothes here in the drawing room?”

Without waiting for a response, he stormed off toward the stairs.

“That brat!” his father muttered under his breath.

Adric, however, remained quiet… just watching his little brother’s retreating figure with unreadable eyes.

He he exactly know why is he behaving like that.

---

Zayn came downstairs after changing, dressed in a loose white t-shirt and grey joggers. He walked toward the dining table where his family was already seated, and took the empty chair farthest from them.

Adric .... his older brother was in the middle of talking, his voice cheerful and animated.

“…and then during winter in London, you wouldn’t believe how fast the Thames froze near campus! We had this spontaneous snowball fight with professors too, it was insane.”

Their father laughed heartily. “Sounds like a dream, son. That’s what real college life should look like!”

Amelia chuckled, her eyes gleaming with pride. “I always knew you’d thrive overseas.”

Zayn sat silently, chewing his food slowly, not lifting his eyes from the plate. His fork scraped lightly against the dish with each bite, and his mind buzzed with quiet noise. The sound of their laughter felt foreign… alien. He felt suffocated.

His eyes moved from his plate to their faces. His mom, laughing as if she’d never once yelled at him for being a disappointment. His father, nodding proudly at every single word Adric spoke like he’d forgotten he had a second son.

So this is what it takes to be loved here?

Zayn clenched his fist under the table, knuckles whitening. He felt the burn in his throat not from anger, but the kind that came when you realized no matter how loud you screamed, no one would ever listen.

They didn’t even notice him.

He forced down a few more bites. The taste of food was dull.

Adric glanced at him briefly. “So, Zayn… you still into photography? Or did you change hobbies again?” he asked casually, as if he hadn’t ignored him for two whole years.

Zayn didn’t even bother replying. He picked up the napkin, wiped his mouth, and stood up.

“I’m full.”

Everyone paused.

“You barely ate,” Amelia said, brows furrowing.

“I said I’m full,” Zayn repeated, his voice calm but sharp.

Before anyone else could speak, he turned on his heel and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the sudden silence that hung over the table.

---

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