CHAPTER 31: WELCOME BACK!

When they arrived at the mansion, Nathan remained silent and obedient when Alexander asked him to sit in the living room. He bowed his head, knowing the man would scold him or even demand compensation because he had broken the rules of their agreement.

Lucas ran down the stairs the moment he saw them coming.

"Oh, you’re here!" Lucas wanted to laugh out loud, but he held it back, twisting his face to look sad instead.

Nael saw him coming and immediately smiled wide. He didn’t know he could feel this happy seeing his annoying brother. But being given another chance to see that naughty guy was already a blessing.

"Lucas! You won’t believe what happened to me!" Nael exclaimed, hugging Lucas.

Lucas already knew, of course. He tried hard to look sad and curious. "You must have had a hard time."

"They were so evil! You know, you almost lost me. They wanted to skin me and sell my organs. It was horrible," Nael reported in a trembling voice, still frightened by the memory. In his mind, if they had been even a little late, he would already be a skeleton by now.

Terrible.

Lucas wanted to say something, but Roger shot him a sharp look. Because if Lucas spoke, he might reveal everything.

Lucas immediately shut his mouth. He hugged Nael tightly. Even so, he could feel his brother’s body trembling. Nael was really scared.

"Hey, you’re safe now. You know we won’t let you die just like that," Lucas said, smiling reassuringly. But his smile was stiff and suspicious.

Nael let go of the hug and looked at Lucas. "You don’t seem happy that I’m back. You would’ve been happy if I didn’t come back, right?" Nael accused.

Lucas clicked his tongue. "Hey, even though you’re super annoying, I won’t let anything bad happen to you. You know that," he replied, offended.

He then looked at Nathan, who was sitting and staring at them, before looking back at Nael. "This is what happens when you try to run away." He shook his head. "Kids."

Nael and Nathan immediately glared angrily at being called "kids."

But before Nael could speak, Alexander cut in. "Lucas, go to your room!"

Lucas shook his head. "I can’t sleep. You know I was waiting for them to come back," he said almost sweetly, making Nael feel a bit touched.

Alexander only shook his head. He took off his jacket and handed it to Huan, who had been waiting nearby. Then he spoke quietly to his aide before Huan left the room.

At that moment, Leo walked down the stairs. He quickly approached them, heading toward Nael first.

"Thank God you’re back," he said, his calm gaze softening.

Nael immediately hugged Leo, telling him how he had almost been killed, again. Leo listened carefully and patiently, not wanting to ruin anything.

"It’s good you’re safe. How are you feeling now?" Leo asked, now looking worried since Nael got sick easily.

Nathan just watched. He realized everyone loved Nael. A small sting of jealousy hit him. He had seen with his own eyes how kind Nael was. There was a reason everybody liked him. The boy was even willing to sacrifice his life for him.

Nathan lowered his head. He felt like a monster for feeling jealous. He felt horrible for ever hating someone as sweet as Nael.

While lost in thought, a hand suddenly wrapped around him from the side, startling him. He felt glasses brush his ear. He knew immediately it was Leo.

"You must’ve been scared," Leo said softly, hugging him tightly.

Nathan, wide-eyed at first, slowly relaxed into the warm embrace and let it happen. He could smell a faint cinnamon scent on Leo’s body.

Lucas wanted to hug his brother too, but he was too scared. He was traumatized from being kicked by Nathan several times. So this time he just stood there and stared at Nathan, who looked pale.

"Are you okay? You look like a living corpse," Lucas teased.

Nathan just stared blankly over Leo’s shoulder. He didn’t answer because he was truly terrified.

Leo felt Nathan’s head resting on his shoulder, and his chest tightened with emotion. He felt a little happy knowing Nathan was accepting his embrace. He held him tighter and gently rubbed Nathan’s back a few times.

Alexander gave everyone some time because he felt this was a good moment for them to bond. Even he still couldn’t believe Nathan had cried in his arms earlier. He realized how fragile the boy really was.

Leo finally let go and looked at Nathan, who was pale like a ghost. "They didn’t hurt you, right?" he asked.

Nathan wanted to say something more, but he only shook his head. Nael had already told him everything anyway. And he was too ashamed to talk. He felt like he had caused all of this.

Alexander stood up, making Nathan tense. He immediately remembered he was about to face judgment. He was sure the man would be angry with him. He flinched as Alexander walked toward him. He sat on the edge of the sofa, and Leo moved aside, making Nathan even more uncomfortable.

Nathan looked down and took a deep breath when Alexander sat beside him.

"I didn’t mean to—" Nathan started to defend himself, but he stopped when Alexander gently grabbed his hand.

He fell silent, surprised by the man’s action. He watched quietly as Alexander took the first aid kit Huan had left and pulled out a small cup.

"Take off your jacket," Alexander instructed.

Nathan obeyed right away. His body seemed to shrink with fear and anxiety.

"I’m not going to eat you," Alexander said, noticing Nathan’s tense silence. He knew the boy was too scared right now, so giving him a lecture would be pointless.

Alexander rolled up Nathan’s sleeve and noticed a red scratch on his wrist. He rubbed it gently a few times before applying cold ointment to it.

Nathan unconsciously stared at Alexander’s calm face. But the man’s silence made him uneasy. So he simply watched quietly as Alexander treated his wound.