CHAPTER 104: PERFECT

Theo was still in the car, parked a short distance from Aurora’s house. The engine hadn’t started, the silence stretching between him and Liam in the back seat. His gaze never left the lit windows, sharp and unreadable, as if he could see straight through the walls.

"I don’t know why she’s running," Liam finally muttered, breaking the silence. "But I guess... there’s a misunderstanding."

Theo’s eyes flicked to Liam by his side, his expression unchanged. His reply was smooth, clipped with sarcasm. "I also don’t know why you’re following me."

"Ah, come on. I’m just bored. Someone who caught my interest these days suddenly vanished for half a day, so yeah—you should help me out with that." Liam leaned back in his seat, his grin lazy but his tone laced with curiosity. Then, he added, "But I really am curious. You’re not faking the marriage, right?"

The glint in his eyes sharpened, no longer teasing but deadly serious.

"Why would I fake the marriage...?" Theo’s eyes stayed forward, his voice dropping low. "It’s just... how I got the marriage to happen..." He paused, gaze shifting briefly, sidelong, toward Liam.

"Ahhh... that sounds dirty," Liam drawled, a grin tugging at his lips, deliberately twisting the meaning.

Theo’s brow twitched, though he didn’t take the bait. "I didn’t do anything like what you’re imagining. I just made sure she agreed to the marriage. Nothing wrong with that."

"That’s basically manipulation, no?" Liam leaned closer, studying him like he was a puzzle. "But seriously, can’t you do it without forcing her? I mean... you have your charm." He scoffed at his own words, as if he didn’t mean them.

Theo rolled his eyes, displeased. "You talk too much."

Liam chuckled under his breath, tilting his head. "Maybe. But you still haven’t answered me properly."

Theo’s gaze cut back to the glowing windows ahead. His fingers drummed once on the arm rest before stilling. "Answering you isn’t on my list of priorities."

That earned him a low whistle from Liam. "Touchy. I guess that means the truth really is messy."

Theo’s jaw tightened, but he gave nothing away.

"Lights off," he ordered suddenly, tapping the driver’s seat the moment his eyes caught Aurora and Daisy stepping out the front door.

The car sank into darkness, blending into the street. Theo leaned back, his gaze never leaving Daisy. "Where the hell is she going in the middle of the night?"

"She might want to get some ice cream to cool down her anxiety about having a husband like you," Liam drawled, his sarcasm rolling out with ease.

Theo shot him a sharp glare.

"Oh, God! I never knew her car would be that cute." Liam leaned forward, pointing as Aurora unlocked the small hatchback parked at the curb.

"You followed me because of her?" Theo’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t do anything reckless... she’s Daisy’s close friend."

Liam’s lips curved into a lazy grin. "Relax. I just meant... the car... I’ve never tried that type before."

Theo understood the double edge in his brother’s tone but brushed it off with a cold exhale. He leaned forward, tapping the driver’s seat. "Follow them."

The car eased into motion, tailing the little hatchback as it pulled away from the curb.

Theo’s frown deepened when Aurora’s car drove straight toward the main mansion of the Kingsley. His jaw tightened. "What are they doing here at this hour?"

Liam raised a brow, intrigued. "Maybe Dad or Mom called them here?"

Theo didn’t look convinced. His gaze lingered on the red taillights ahead, unease tightening in his chest. "Why?"

"Oh, this morning..." Liam stretched his words, as if savoring the reminder. "Mom did discuss with Dad about your wedding. They insisted on pushing the ceremony forward. Since she’s fully recovered now, maybe they’re starting to make arrangements."

Theo’s hands curled into fists on his lap, his frown darkening. "And what gives them the right?"

"Oh, come on, Theo." Liam leaned back, smirking faintly as if to soften the sting of the past. "You should put everything behind you. Mom and Dad didn’t mean half the things they said back then. You know that..."

"And what about you?" Theo cut in, his voice low, edged with steel. His eyes locked onto Liam’s, sharp and unyielding. "Did you mean what you said at that time?"

For the first time, Liam’s smile faltered. He shifted, his jaw working as though he wanted to laugh it off but couldn’t quite find the words.

"Depends," Liam finally muttered, gaze sliding toward the window. "Which part are we talking about? The part that I hate you?"

Theo’s eyes narrowed, cold and sharp on him.

Liam exhaled, lips twisting into a bitter smile. "It’s the fact, Theo. Who doesn’t hate Theo Kingsley?"

Liam didn’t stop there. He leaned back, voice dropping into something almost conversational, though the edge was impossible to miss.

"I believe if Julian were still alive, he’d probably hate you too. Perfect Theo, who was sleeping through class, never studying, and still scoring higher than anyone. You know..." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Sometimes I really wonder how the two of you were even twins."

He gave Theo a sidelong glance, his smirk carrying more bite than humor.

"I mean, not that Julian was dumb," Liam added quickly, though his laugh betrayed the sting beneath. "Maybe it’s just... he was always sick, so he ended up falling behind. But still... next to you? He never really stood a chance."

"And your point?" Theo asked, his voice cold.

"Seriously? You want me to spell it out?" Liam leaned back, his smirk thin. "You’re the guy nobody could measure up to. The one teachers compared us to, the one parents pointed at. Even Julian got dragged into that shadow—your own twin. So yeah, maybe I don’t hate you, but I sure as hell resent how easy you made the rest of us look."

For a beat, silence stretched between them. Theo’s eyes stayed unreadable, while Liam’s words hung heavier than he expected. Then, suddenly, Liam snorted.

"Ah, damn, listen to me," he burst into laughter, throwing his head back. "What the hell did I just say? I sound like some jealous ex-boyfriend. Cringe! Ugh, I can feel goosebumps crawling all over me, seriously, did I just pour my heart out?!"

The car slowed to a stop at the mansion gates. Liam was still chuckling at his own dramatic outburst, shaking his head.

"Man, I can’t believe I said all that," he laughed, rubbing his face. "If anyone recorded me, I’d—"

He cut himself off when he realized Theo had already opened the door.

Without a word, Theo stepped out, his movements brisk. He didn’t even look back, just shoved his hands in his pockets and strode up the driveway, the night swallowing him whole.

Liam sat there, baffled. "Seriously? Not even a sarcastic comeback?"