After dinner, Audrey returned to her room. Nathan stood near the large window of the living room, his hands resting in his pockets as he looked outside. The city lights flickered in the distance, but his mind was somewhere else. He could still see the fear in Audrey's eyes at the mall when she met Serene. It wasn't just fear- it was pain, deep pain and he so much wants to punish her orchestrators.
Behind him Jane sat quietly on the couch. She had been watching Nathan for a while, gathering the courage to say what had been weighing on her heart since afternoon.
"Nathan," she said softly.
Nathan turned around and looked at her. "Yes, what did you want to discuss with me?"
Jane hesitated. For a moment, she wondered if what she was doing is right. Audrey hated talking about their past, but she felt like letting Nathan know. And more than that, Audrey needed someone who understood her.
"I would like to tell you something about Audrey... about us," Jane said.
Nathan walked close and sat in the chair opposite her. His expression was calm, but his eyes were attentive.
" I'm listening".
Jane took a deep breath.
" Our mom disappeared when we were young. She was Audrey's everything", she began.
Nathan furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
"No one ever told us exactly what happened", Jane continued. " One day she was there... and the next day she was gone. Our father scolded us anytime we asked about her".
She looked down at her hands as memories flooded back.
"Not long after, he married another woman".
Nathan remained silent, letting her continue.
" She had a son shortly after," Jane said quietly as a tear dropped. " And from that day... everything changed".
"Our father began to treat us differently. It was like we stopped being his daughters." Jane's voice trembled a little, but she continued speaking. " Everything was just about his new wife and son. We were just... there."
Nathan's jaw tightened.
Jane gave a sad smile. " Audrey was younger, so she felt it the most. With our mom gone and Dad's silent treatment, she couldn't take it."
Nathan felt something heavy settle on his chest.
"When I turned eighteen and Audrey was sixteen, we decided to run away so we left.
Nathan stayed calm listening to her.
"We didn't have a plan. We didn't have money. We just knew we couldn't stay in that house again".
She paused for a second.
"Those were the hardest years of our lives".
Nathan stayed quiet, letting her speak.
"I tried small jobs to take care of us, but it was never enough," Jane said. " Audrey saw how hard it was... so she started acting.
"At first it was small roles," Jane continued. "Commercials, background roles... anything that could bring in money. That is when she met Serene, she introduced her to big production house, making her the star she is today. She ended up paying my tuition so I can complete school".
Her eyes softened.
Nathan felt a strange sense of admiration and sadness.
" But the truth is," Jane added quietly. "Audrey carries a lot of pain inside her".
Nathan nodded slowly.
"She learned how to hide it," Jane said. " She smiles, jokes, pretends she is strong... but she's more hurt than anybody realizes."
The room fell silent for a while.
Jane finally looked directly at Nathan.
"That's why I am telling you this."
Nathan held her gaze.
"I trust you" she said.
Nathan seemed slightly surprised.
"You saved my sister," Jane continued. "And when she's around you... I see something different in her".
Nathan did not respond immediately.
"She feels safe," Jane finished.
Nathan looked away for a moment, processing her words.
Jane leaned forward slightly.
"There is something I want to ask of you".
Nathan looked back at her.
Jane hesitated again but forced herself to say it.
"Please take care of Audrey."
Nathan's expression grew serious.
"She won't say it," Jane continued softly, "but she needs someone who will stand by her... someone who won't abandon her the way everyone else does".
Nathan fell silent for a few seconds.
Then Jane said something that surprised him even more.
"And if possible..." she added gently, " I want you to pursue her."
Nathan nodded slightly.
Jane smiled faintly.
"I know it sounds strange," she admitted. " But I can see the way you look at. And the way she looks at you when no one is watching."
Nathan did not deny it.
" I just want my sister to be happy," Jane said quietly.
Nathan slowly stood up and walked towards the window again. T he city lights flickering as he thought of what Jane told him.
After a moment, he spoke.
" I will not let anything happen to Audrey."
Jane felt relief wash over her.
Nathan turned back towards her, his expression firm.
"I promise".
Just then footsteps were heard descending the stairs. both of them acted like nothing was going on but Audrey sense it but kept it to herself.