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~Spring's POV~

My heart rate skyrocketed as I realised my mistake. "I mean, I arrived here at Rhys' house, away from home, Mum, and Rose."

"Oh."

I nodded.

Eryx stepped closer again, now barely a breath away. His eyes searched mine—genuinely, openly, like he was trying to read the parts of me I wasn't saying aloud.

"Some things don't change though," he murmured. "Not really."

"Like?"

"Like how I still remember the way you used to laugh when you beat me at sparring," he said, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Or how you always hum while brushing your hair. Or how you used to climb the tallest tree in the yard just to prove you could."

"You mean when you let me beat you in sparring?"

Eryx lifted his hand. "Guilty as charged."

I smiled despite myself.

He chuckled, then stopped—his expression softening into something else, something more vulnerable.

"I notice everything about you, Spring. Even the little things. Maybe more than I should."

My breath caught.

He blinked, as if realising he'd said too much, and took a small step back.

"Sorry," he muttered. "Didn't mean to make things weird."

But Eryx didn't look away, and neither did I.

After some time, Eryx stepped back, but the space between us still buzzed with unspoken tension.

I bit my bottom lip, heart thumping too loudly in my chest. He noticed everything about me? More than he should?

What did that even mean?

I turned away, mostly to breathe and to think. My fingers fidgeted with a comb on the dresser while I tried to steady the flush rising to my cheeks.

"I didn't mean to make things awkward," he said again, quieter this time. "You just… caught me off guard, is all."

I glanced at him through the mirror, catching the subtle way his eyes dropped to my back, then up again.

"You've been weird since this week," I murmured lightly. "You don't usually say stuff like that."

Eryx laughed under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well… maybe I'm just finally letting myself say things I should've said a long time ago."

My fingers stilled on the dresser.

"Like what?"

He didn't answer right away.

Instead, he moved toward me again, slower this time, less playful—like he wasn't sure if he should.

I watched his reflection as he came to stand directly behind me, the space between us barely noticeable. His voice brushed against the shell of my ear.

"Like how hard it's been, pretending to be just your brother."

My breath hitched.

I turned around slowly, heart skipping, eyes locking with his. "Eryx…"

He stepped back before I could say more, eyes conflicted now. "Forget I said that. Seriously. This… isn't the time."

There was a knock at the door.

Both of us jumped slightly, the moment breaking like thin glass beneath a boot.

A second later, the door opened, and Kaius stood by the doorway.

Towering, calm, a little more serious than usual, but no less magnetic. His sharp black dress shirt was half tucked into fitted jeans, and his hair still looked damp from a recent shower.

His gaze swept the room quickly, pausing just a little longer on Eryx before settling on me.

"Hey," Kaius said, eyes warming a fraction. "You ready?"

I blinked, still caught in the emotional whiplash of moments ago. "Uh—yeah. Almost."

Eryx straightened, clearing his throat. "I was just helping her get her stuff together."

"Sure," Kaius said, stepping further into the room with an unreadable expression.

He didn't seem too pleased to find Eryx in here, but since I looked okay, he did not pry.

"Am I going to get that big brother hug?"

A small smirk formed on my lips. "Definitely."

I walked over and hugged him gently.

We shared that hug for a moment before we pulled back.

"I'd love to stay here with you guys, but Rhys and I have something to discuss before our departure. I'll wait downstairs."

He glanced at me one more time—softly, like he saw more than I wanted him to—and then left, the door clicking behind him.

I exhaled, not realizing I'd been holding my breath.

"Spring," Eryx began.

But I shook my head gently and reached for my comb.

"Umm, I need to style my hair and change my clothes, Eryx. You'd need to…"

"I get it. I am going now."

I heaved a deep sigh as he left and shut the door.

By the time I was done with packing a few things in my school bag, I found Eryx hadn't left but had been standing outside my door.

"I'm ready." He nodded, gave me a once over and hummed before pushing off the wall and leading us.

I wanted to ask why he stayed back, but I assumed it was going to be an excuse like, "River's still there yapping"—so I ignored and followed him.

As we descended the stairs, I caught the faint sound of River's voice echoing from the living room. She was still seated where we'd left her—still brooding, probably waiting for Rhys like some angry shadow.

Just as we reached the front door, it opened, and Rhys stepped in, wearing a blue turtleneck fitted sweater and black jeans trousers, his jaw ticking as he looked from me to River.

Her entire posture shifted.

"Hey," she said quickly, smoothing down her dress as she stood.

Rhys glanced at her and then pecked her cheek. It was brief, dismissive, and automatic.

River froze.

I bit back a laugh, smirking as her expression cracked. Her teeth clenched so tight I could almost hear the pressure. She didn't like that he didn't linger. She didn't like that we all saw it either.

My eyes met hers briefly as I passed her. I didn't need to say a word and walked out of the house.

Outside, all three guys were driving separately, as they each came with their own cars.

Rhys had his luxury black Range Rover, Kaius leaned against his dark green Jeep, scrolling through his phone, and Eryx leaned on the hood of his black Rhino Warlord Matte Gunmetal, arms folded, waiting.

I paused, indecisive. I should probably go with Rhys—it would make River itch. Or Kaius—he was safe.

But my eyes strayed to Eryx.

He wasn't looking at me now, but I saw how his fingers twitched against his arm. He was holding back.

I didn't want to walk toward him first. Not unless he said something.

But then, just as I turned a fraction toward Rhys, Eryx pushed off the hood and reached out. "Let's go," he said simply, fingers curling around mine like it was a habit he couldn't shake.

I didn't protest.

I let him drag me with him, even if my stomach twisted the entire way to his car. The moment we were inside and the doors shut, the silence fell heavy.

I peeked at him, but he just focused on the road ahead. Tense. Guarded.

Why did he keep doing this—pulling me in, then locking himself up?

The ride was quiet, aside from the gentle sound of the engine and the ocean breeze teasing through a slightly cracked window.

The scent of his cologne filled the space.

We drove for nearly forty-five minutes until the city thinned, replaced by open skies and distant crashing waves.

A stretch of private beachfront greeted us, bordered by swaying palms and a single, large retreat house nestled among them like a hidden jewel.

Rhys and Kaius pulled in behind us. I raised a brow as we parked near the entrance. "Uh… this is a little extra for a beach picnic, don't you think?"

Eryx opened his door. "You'll see."

As I stepped out, the front door of the retreat house opened. My father walked out, arms spread in greeting. Beside him was my mother, radiant as ever in her sundress and sunhat.

But unlike my dad, her eyes held a bit of displeasure.

"You're finally here," Dad called. "Where are your bags?"

I blinked. "Bags? Why would we bring bags? I thought this was a picnic."

My mother smiled like I was adorable. "It's a weekend retreat, sweetheart. Until Sunday evening."

"What?" I glanced at the others. "Since when?"

"It was meant to start Friday," Dad replied, "but Rhys had that emergency surgery. So we waited."

My mouth parted in disbelief. A whole weekend? I had barely thrown on anything but lip balm, a shawl, and beach slippers.

"I didn't pack anything," I said in disbelief. "And they looked like they didn't pack anything as well." I gestured towards my brothers.

"That's not a problem. I already have the best clothes brought here. They'd arrive for everyone in an hour," Dad explained.

I was left a little speechless at how they planned things.

However, I did not get a chance to react to it when an unwelcome sound reached my ears.

"Hi!" a too-bright voice sang.

I turned my head to the side to see Rose stepping out and beaming at all of us like she'd been waiting for a grand entrance.

Just great.

My jaw clenched. This was going to be a long weekend.

"You came!" Rose announced with glee, rushing past Dad and Mum like an overexcited puppy on caffeine.

I instinctively braced myself, but not fast enough—Rose was already throwing herself into a hug, arms wrapping around me in a dramatic, exaggerated bear squeeze that nearly knocked the air out of my lungs.

"I've missed you so much!" Rose chirped, her voice ringing with sugary excitement that didn't fool me for a second.

I smiled tightly but politely. My arms returned the hug just enough to make it believable. "Missed you, too."

I didn't miss the way Rose's perfume tried to smother me, like a designer-smelling warning: I'm here. I'm close. I'm watching.

My father, seeing us together, lit up with pure delight. "See? This is what I've always wanted—my daughters getting along like sisters should. You make me proud."