CHAPTER 102: MRS VOSS’S REGRET!

Ethan stood in the doorway, watching the Drago SUVs pull away after a hot argument. Viktor had spent minutes yelling and threatening the Voss.

Ethan couldn’t say anything. He just lowered his head because they were in the wrong.

If it weren’t for Luka, Viktor wouldn’t have left. Ethan was so relieved that he left. Dust kicked up from the tyres as Viktor’s car sped down the driveway. His hands were still clenched at his sides. Viktor’s words echoed in his head.

Viktor had mentioned something about the government intervening if something happened to Elias. Ethan felt a knot in his stomach.

He groaned in frustration as he turned back inside. The house felt colder and quieter now. He never expected the Drago brothers at his house that early. Though he was relieved that he had something to do with the Omega slave case.

He suddenly snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a sound behind him.

Mrs Voss was coming down the stairs, robe tied tight, hair perfect even this early.

"Ethan? Who was yelling? It’s barely morning."

"I’m glad your morning was ruined, Mother," he replied without sparing his mother a glance.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" She frowned, adjusting her robe as she folded her hands.

Ethan turned around, flashing his mother a glare.

"I told you not to send them away, but you didn’t listen,"

She sighed, reaching the bottom step.

"Don’t ruin my day with that again. I’ve had enough of people mentioning Elias or his sister in this house. They aren’t here anymore,"

"Sure, they aren’t. Congratulations on getting what you want. Are you happy now?" Ethan said, clapping his hands three times before spreading his arms. "Viktor Drago was here a few seconds ago and he was looking for Elias."

Mrs Voss blinked.

"He... he didn’t go to them?"

Ethan crossed his arms.

"His home isn’t the Drago estate, Mom. You think he’d show up there like he owns the place?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Her face softened... just a little.

"I thought... the match. 96.7%. He’d choose Viktor. I thought he wanted to leave here to go there,"

"You don’t get it, do you?" Ethan said. "You’ve been pushing him at us... like me, like Jace and probably not Leo. But Elias isn’t like that. He’s not after money or status. He has Lila and that’s it. We are different from him. He doesn’t have parents or anyone to look up to but himself. He wants someone who loves him for him."

Mrs Voss looked away.

"I was trying to help. If he gets married to you or Jace, his life would be better,"

"Help? That’s not helping, Mother," Ethan laughed, short and bitter. "You married Dad for business. It was a simple contract marriage. That’s your world. Not his."

She flinched.

Ethan kept going. "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m disappointed, Mom. Really."

He turned to leave, climbing up the stairs as he brushed past her.

"Ethan," she called. "Can I... bring him back?"

He stopped and looked back. "If it was you? Would you come back?"

She didn’t answer.

Ethan walked away.

Mrs Voss sank onto the couch. Her hands shook a little. She stared at the family photos on the wall. Then her mind went back... a few weeks ago. When he saw Elias in that room with Lila. He listened to Elias’s story and that’s why he wanted to take care of Elias. After finding out he was a dominant omega, his obsession grew.

She’d offered help to him. But now? She’d pushed him out.

Her chest felt heavy. She couldn’t forgive herself.

"I’m really a bad person,"

.

.

Meanwhile, at the old Kane apartment.

Elias pushed open the creaky gate, plastic bags cutting into his fingers. Bread, eggs, milk, and cheap noodles. Foodstuffs that were enough for a few weeks if they were stretched. The morning sun was already warm. His shirt stuck to his back.

He kicked the door shut behind him. "Lila? I’ve got the stuff."

She was on the floor, phone in hand, legs crossed. She looked up and grinned. "Welcome back, brother,"

Elias dropped the bags as he wiped the tears off his forehead.

"What are you doing with my phone again?"

"Playing!" She put it down and ran over, grabbing a bag. "This one’s heavy."

"Thanks, kiddo." They carried them to the tiny kitchen together. The counters were clean... Elias had scrubbed them last night. He started unpacking.

"It’s not much," he said, stacking cans. "But they could last for three weeks. Good, right?"

Lila peeked in. "Yes, it is. Don’t worry, I won’t eat a lot."

Elias ruffled her hair.

"I bought it for you. Eat well and get strong."

She giggled.

"Oh! Uncle Ethan called."

Elias paused. "Ethan?"

"Yeah. He asked about stuff. But... What’s your bank number?"

Elias frowned. "Why do you ask?"

Lila shrugged, a sneaky smile appearing on her face. "Nothing."

’She’s up to something,’ Elias thought. But he let it go.

They finished unpacking. Elias checked the clock... 11:30. "I’ve got an afternoon class. Do you want lunch first?"

"Ramyeon!" Lila said. "The spicy one."

Elias smirked.

"Sure, I’ll do that. Ramyeon, coming up."

He filled a pot, turned on the stove... the flame flickered, old and weak. Lila sat at the table, swinging her legs.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Lila jumped up. "I’ll get it!"

"Wait..." Elias called, but she was already at the door.

She peeked through the crack before swinging the door open. A tall man smiled down at her. He had a familiar face, dark hair, easy grin. She remembered him but had forgotten his name. All she knew was that it ended with a ’ka’.

Lila tilted her head. "Mika?"

The man chuckled, touching her cheek. "It’s Luka, tiny thing."

He scooped her up. She squealed. "I’m not a baby! Put me down!"

"Sorry, sorry." But he didn’t put her down.

Luka stepped inside, looking around. The house was small... peeling paint, cracked tiles, one couch, a tiny TV. He whistled low. "Cosy."

Behind him, men in black suits carried boxes. Big ones.

Elias walked out, a plate of steaming ramyeon in hand. He froze.

The living room was a mess. He watched as his old couch was flying out the door and new ones coming in. Fridge... shiny and new was wheeled in. Beds. Fans. Lamps. Bags of clothes. Toiletries. Food. So much food.

Lila ran over, grabbing the plate. "Brother! Mika’s here!"

"I said it’s Luka," he groaned and waved at Elias. "Hi."

Elias blinked. "What the fu..."

"Language," Luka said, nodding at Lila.

Elias set the plate down. "What’s going on?"

Luka shrugged. "Nothing. I’m just following Viktor’s orders. He told me to check on you, but not to come alone. So I brought stuff."

Elias looked at the men. They were efficient. His house was changing right before his eyes. The old table was out, the new one was in. Air conditioner installed in minutes. The lights changed. Doors fixed.

"You... bought all this?" Elias asked.

"I bought extras," Luka said. "Thought you’d need upgrades. I didn’t know you needed ’everything’."

Elias’s face heated.

"We don’t need charity."

"It’s not charity, brother-in-law," Luka said. "It’s an investment and also Viktor’s words."

Elias crossed his arms, ignoring the fact that he was called ’brother-in-law’

"Where is he?"

"He went home. I guess he’s shy to show up in front of you." Luka grinned. "Smart, right?"

Lila tugged Elias’s sleeve. "Can we keep the fridge? It’s big!"

Elias sighed. "Fine. But tell him thanks. And no more."

"Right. Right."

Luka pulled out his phone. Texted.

Luka:He didn’t reject them. House fixed.

.

.

Viktor was already at home when he saw the message. He stared at it and a smile appeared on his face.

"What’s funny? What’s making you laugh?" Clara asked. He spared her a glance and stared back at Viktor. He had forgotten they Clara was in front of him, asking questions about him and Elias.

.

Meanwhile, across town.

Dr Patel rolled over in bed, groaning in frustration. His phone buzzed on the nightstand for the tenth or so time. He squinted as he picked up the phone and stared at the time first. 2:15 PM.

It was his day off and he wasn’t expecting any call. Why? Because he had blocked everyone from the matching centre, including the President.

He answered the call without looking at the caller ID.

"What? You have one minute,"

"Oh! It’s me, Dear Client," the voice came.

Patel blinked repeatedly as he scratched his forehead. He finally knew who it was.

"Why have you called?"

"I’ve got the info," a rough voice said. "The one about the accident."

Patel sat up.

"Talk."

"Mr and Mrs Kane died in a hit-and-run accident while crossing the road,"

"Yes... I already know that,"

"I see. Well, the owner of the car... The culprit is..."

Patel held his breath.

"Viktor Drago."

Patel’s hand flew to his face.

"Shit. I see. I’ll hang up now,"

He hung up and stared at the wall.

"Viktor killed Elias’s parents. This... this is going to be hard."