Chapter 171

KYLIAN'S POV

It’s been days since the tragedy happened and the house felt suffocating. Alex’s absence was like a shadow cast over everything. Without him, the house seemed empty. Aiden had barely spoken since we returned. The light in his eyes had dimmed. The spark in his eyes was replaced by a feeling that no child should ever bear. He refused to leave the house, isolating himself in the corners where he used to laugh.

At meals, he stared at the empty chair that once belonged to Alex, his fork barely lifting to his mouth. When he did manage a bite, his eyes flickered to the seat as if waiting for his brother to appear.

One afternoon, as I tried once again to coax him from his shell but he stood up and glared at me with his hands trembling.

“Why didn’t you come for us?” His voice cracked “Why didn’t you save us from that monster?”

The raw pain in his voice sliced through me. His words hurt me more than any knife ever could. I struggled to find words. My throat was tight with guilt.