“You are the type of guy who can’t hide feelings, hm?” Max teased as he was standing in front of the door.
Realizing the presence of his brother, Julian spontaneously snorted. “Have you been eavesdropping ever since?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Not eavesdropping. Just overheard,” Max said with a light shrug. A second later, he approached his brother with relaxed steps. “So, how are you doing?”
“You see for yourself. I just got ignored by Mia,” Julian replied while rolling his eyes. He was ready to welcome the sarcasm from Max.
“I didn’t asked about your heart, but the condition of your stomach. I heard you saved my wife with a very heroic act. I never thought you’re willing to sacrifice your life.”
Receiving the unexpected answer, Julian’s gaze slowly shifted back to his younger brother. Once he found the stiff curve of the lips, again, he snorted.
“Are you praising me? Why do I feel that you’re being sarcastic?” he said slowly.
“I want to thank you, Julian. Don’t pretend to be stupid. Now, I feel indebted to you. I really can’t imagine my life without Gaby. So, by saving her, you save my life too,” Max explained, raising an eyebrow. He never knew that talking to his brother could be so awkward.
A second later, Julian let out a sigh into the air. The man’s eyes began to fill with compassion. While looking at the ceiling, he replayed his memory.
“You don’t need to thank me, Max. What I did was completely disproportionate to my sin. Your suffering for a dozen years is far more painful than what I’ve been through in the last few days.”
“Are you pretending to be a cool guy? Please accept my gratitude and don’t make me feel uncomfortable. Your courage to save Gaby is different from what you did to me,” the younger brother said with a faint frown.
At such a response, Julian glanced out of the corner of his eye. After pulling the corner of his lips, he asked, “How about you? I heard your wound opened again on that day.”
“Tch! Don’t change the subject, Julian. We’re discussing your heroic deed.”
“We’re done talking about it and now, I want to do what I should have done a long time ago,” his brother interrupted, successfully making Max narrow his eyes.
“What?”
“Paying attention to my brother.”
In just an instant, stiffness silenced the atmosphere. Both men were busy with their own thoughts and feelings, processing memories that seemed blue.
“So, have you received my gratitude?” Max asked, breaking the awkwardness.
“Have you forgiven me?”
An annoyed chuckle suddenly came from the younger brother’s mouth. “Why do you keep turning my questions around? Answer first, then I will give a response,” Max protested while frowning.
“I can’t possibly accept it from someone who still holds a grudge against me,” Julian said without thinking.
Hearing his brother’s words, Max sighed faintly. “Believe it or not, I never hold a grudge against you.”
“But you hate me,” Julian replied quickly.
“I never hate you.”
For the second time, silence filled the awkwardness. However, the two men no longer dodged. They stared at each other, reading the hearts behind the teary eyes.
“I can’t hate the only brother I have,” Max repeated with a heightened emotion.
“Why? I’ve stolen your life. You are the one who should receive Dad’s full love and attention, and also be the successor of Quebracha,” Julian said with tears starting to well up.
“Because I believe that this is the best way for us. If Dad knew the truth long ago, it could be that I don’t have a brother anymore. You know, my brother is very weak. I’m afraid he’s depressed and would kill himself if he were in my position,” Max said half-jokingly.
As expected, a bland laugh escaped in between ragged breaths. “Are you comforting me or making fun of me?” Julian asked while wiping his wet face.
“I don’t know. But for sure, I’m serious about it. I’ve let go of the past. Besides, I was able to meet Gaby thanks to your lies.”
Feeling blue, Julian took a quick breath, clearing his nose of any traces of emotion.
“Thank you, Max. I am very lucky to have a brother as tough as you.”
Raising an eyebrow, Max shrugged curtly. “You’re welcome,” he mumbled lightly.
“Forgiveness from you is the most valuable gift I’ve ever received,” Julian said sincerely.
“I don’t feel like I’ve forgiven you,” Max muttered with an annoying look. It had been a long time since he had provoked his brother’s emotions.
However, instead of anger, what filled Julian’s heart was serenity. The heavy burden that had pressed against the heart for so long, finally lifted and left an airy space in the chest that was ready to accommodate a lot of happiness.
“Don’t make a fuss, Max. We just made peace,” Julian said before bursting into tears again.
Watching his brother’s behavior, Max’s lips automatically widened. “Do you know that Mia and I have a lot in common? For one thing, we both don’t like whiny men.”
Hearing the mockery of his younger brother, Julian immediately gave a cynical look. “Stop boasting! Gabriella cries a lot too, but you still love her.”
A small laugh immediately greeted the spontaneous statement. “Don’t compare my wife to you. Gaby still looks beautiful when she sheds tears. Of course it’s different from you who are very scary when crying.”
A second later, Julian laughed along with his younger brother. But strangely, the man’s tears flowed even more profusely.
“Do you know? I really miss moments like this,” the elder brother mumbled in a pinched voice. He had been waiting for that joy for a long time, just like another man who had just risen, illuminating his heart.
“Stop it, Julian. You’re scaring me even more,” Max joked, glancing at the door. “Now, clean up the mess in your face. I want to call my wife in. She’s been waiting outside for a while.”
Gradually, the man’s sobs began to subside. “Okay. Just do it,” Julian sighed as he dried his face.
After one call, Gabriella appeared with a crooked smile. “Good morning, Julian. How is your condition?” the woman overcame the awkwardness.
“It’s been much better. You don’t have to worry, Gabriella. My wound will get better soon.”
A second later, the woman nodded. “Thank goodness. So now, have you two officially reconciled?” she asked for sure. Her eyes quietly moved to observe the movements of her husband and brother-in-law.
Suddenly, Max stroked his wife’s shoulder gently. “Why do you ask it, Gaby? You heard it from behind the door,” the man whispered with pursed lips.
“So, what? Are you ashamed to admit that you made up with your brother?” Gabriella replied with round eyes.
“I’m just trying to protect Julian’s pride, who is just being caught crying.”
The woman’s lips instantly twitched, threatening to burst into laughter. Having managed to control herself, she turned her gaze towards Julian.
“Have you allowed to visit Dad? Max wants to invite you to family gathering, when you’re fully recovered,” Gabriella said on behalf of her husband.
In just an instant, the joy on Julian’s face faded. “I … am not ready to meet Dad. Last time, he still demanded accountability from me. I have no idea what will happen after successfully bringing you back here.”
“Are you afraid Dad hates you?” Max asked seriously.
Unexpectedly, Julian carved a sad smile. “He already hates me,” he said softly before swallowing hard.
Noticing the tension that was starting to creep up, Gabriella took a deep breath. “Then you should talk to your father first, Max. I can look after Julian here,” the woman suggested, nodding at her husband.
“But you promised to accompany me, Gaby,” Max whispered as he grabbed his wife’s fingers.
“I’m sure you can handle the situation on your own. This is your chance to talk heart to heart. You can straighten all the kinks, Max.”
With Gabriella’s hand caressing his cheek, the man finally forced the corners of his lips to lift higher. “Pray for me,” he pleaded in a low voice.
“Of course.”