Chapter 5 - The Brother Who Lost His ChildhoodThe train entered another mountain passage.
The lights flickered again.
The darkness surrounded them.
Ethan sat beside Clara.
For the first time in years.
He looked at his sister.
Really looked at her.
Not as the fragile person everyone described.
But as someone who had been fighting alone.
“I should have listened.”
Clara looked away.
“You were busy protecting her.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
The memories returned.
A younger Clara.
Running through the family mansion.
Laughing.
Always following him.
Always believing he could protect her.
Then years later.
A different Clara.
Quiet.
Withdrawn.
Afraid.
Everyone said she had changed.
Everyone said she was difficult.
But nobody asked why.
“I thought you hated Mom.”
Clara gave a small bitter laugh.
“I was afraid of her.”
The answer shocked him.
“Afraid?”
“Yes.”
“She knows exactly how to hurt people.”
“She doesn’t need to shout.”
“She doesn’t need violence.”
“She knows how to make everyone doubt themselves.”
Ethan looked toward Victoria.
His mother stood near the window.
Watching the world outside.
Almost peacefully.
That was the most terrifying part.
She did not look like someone caught.
She looked like someone planning her next move.
“Why the train?”
Ethan asked.
Emily answered.
“Because she wanted privacy.”
“But also because she wanted control.”
“There are no witnesses.”
“No employees.”
“No security cameras.”
Ethan looked around the cabin.
The expensive walls.
The luxury furniture.
The private transportation.
Everything that represented wealth.
Suddenly felt like a cage.
Victoria turned.
“You are making a mistake.”
Ethan looked at her.
She continued.
“You think you are saving Clara.”
“But you are destroying this family.”
Ethan stood.
“No.”
“You destroyed it.”
Victoria’s expression changed.
“You have no idea what I sacrificed.”
“I sacrificed everything for this family.”
“For you.”
“For Clara.”
Ethan shook his head.
“Sacrifice doesn’t mean ownership.”
The words hit her.
Because somewhere deep inside.
Victoria knew he was right.
But admitting it was impossible.
“I protected you.”
“I gave you power.”
“I built your future.”
Ethan whispered.
“At what cost?”
Victoria had no answer.
May you like
For the first time.
She had no answer.
