" I need to talk to her"
" Please do." Ketra smiled
Canary stood from the chair, shoulders tense but determined. He had just taken a step toward the hallway when the front door swung open.
Joel strolled in casually, a smug smile on his face and his phone still in hand. He adjusted his cufflinks with theatrical flair, as if the mansion already belonged to him.
"Well, look who's home," he said, grinning.
" Canary, Where's my sister Lucy ? We need to celebrate her decision. CEO, finally." He let out a light chuckle. " Shouldn't we ? "
Canary said nothing. His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowed, but he remained still—silent, composed, yet visibly wounded.
Joel seemed amused by the silence. " No hard feelings, huh?"
Before Canary could react, Ketra stepped forward, her voice sharp but calm. "Joel," she said firmly, "your sister's in her room. You should go see her."
" Sure, I expect a sumptuous meal waiting us." Joel said and headed to Lucy's room.
___
Joel made his way up the stairs, still wearing that confident smirk. He paused outside Lucy's door and gave it a few light knocks.
"Lucy? It's me," he called cheerfully. "Come on, open up. We have a lot to toast to, don't we?"
Inside, there was silence.
"Lucy?" he said again, knocking louder this time.
"Please... just leave me alone," her voice came from behind the door—low, hoarse, and unlike anything Joel had heard from her before.
But he ignored it.
"It's me, Joel," he said, his tone softening. "Your brother. Your CEO. Come on, don't shut me out now."
A few seconds passed, then the door creaked open.
Lucy stood there, her eyes red and swollen, her expression unreadable. Joel opened his mouth to speak—
Smack.
Lucy's hand flew across his face with a force that silenced the air.
Joel staggered slightly, stunned. His cheek reddened instantly. He stared at her, confused, his smile gone.
"You lied to me," Lucy said, her voice trembling with fury and grief. "You killed Alexander. My husband. You killed him, Joel."
Joel's face drained of color.
____
After Joel disappeared into Lucy's room, Canary quietly turned away from the hallway and walked to his own.
He closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment, exhaling slowly. The walls of his room felt both familiar and suffocating.
He peeled off his jacket and tossed it on the bed before heading into the shower. The water ran hot, washing over his face and chest like it might carry away everything he was feeling—disappointment, betrayal, anger, confusion.
But it didn't.
After a while, he stepped out, towel wrapped around his waist, hair still dripping. He reached for his phone on the nightstand and noticed several missed calls all from Lisa.
His chest tightened.
He sat on the edge of the bed and immediately dialed her number.
She picked up on the first ring. "Canary?" Her voice was breathless, worried. "Are you okay? I heard about the board meeting… that they chose Joel. You didn't call me back, I've been scared out of my mind."
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I'm fine now… just needed time to breathe."
"You disappeared."
"I didn't mean to," he said softly. "I just couldn't talk. Not yet."
There was a pause on the line. "You know I'm with you, right?" Lisa said gently. "Title or not, nothing's changed for me."
Canary closed his eyes, her voice grounding him. "I know," he whispered. "And I needed to hear that."
Lisa smiled and then said. " Okay dear, Good night. "
" Good night too."
___
Joel stood frozen in Lucy's doorway, still holding his cheek where she had slapped him. The fury in her eyes pinned him to the spot, and for once, he didn't try to charm his way out of it.
"You killed Alexander," Lucy said again, voice shaking. "My husband. And you lied to me, looked me in the eye every single day as if you were innocent."
Joel's face darkened, but he didn't speak. Not yet.
"You think I wouldn't find out?" she continued. "I saw the files. The accident wasn't an accident. You planned it. You—"
"I know what I did," Joel cut in quietly.
Lucy blinked, stunned by his calmness.
"But before you make me out to be the devil," Joel added, his voice cold now, "remember this—you caused the death of my wife and child."
Lucy's breath hitched. Joel stepped forward, voice rising.
"You abandoned me when I needed you most! When Belinda was sick, when our baby was dying—where were you, Lucy? Hiding behind Alexander. You left me with nothing. So don't act like you're the only one grieving!"
Lucy stared at him in shock.
"We're even now," Joel spat bitterly. "You took everything from me, and I took him from you."
There was a long, chilling pause.
Lucy's voice was low, but firm. "Then if we're even, you have no reason to stay in this house. Pack your things, Joel. Get out."
Joel didn't move at first. His jaw tightened, but he nodded slowly.
"Fine," he said, turning away.
---
Joel walked down the hallway, face expressionless. In his room, he opened the wardrobe and started packing his suitcase in silence. One by one, the ties, the shirts, the old watch he used to wear before he returned to Andersons Group.
His eyes lingered for a moment on the family photo frame near his bed—a photo from years ago.
Then he turned it face down.
Joel came down the stairs with his suitcase in one hand and a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. His steps were steady, but his face was a mask—cold, unreadable. He was almost at the door when a voice stopped him.
"Joel?"
It was Ketra.
She stepped into the hallway from the dining area, drying her hands with a cloth. Her brow furrowed as she looked at him. "Where are you going with your luggage?"
Joel barely paused. "There's no longer a need for me to stay here," he said flatly. "After all, the Andersons Group is mine now, isn't it?"
Ketra frowned, sensing something wasn't right. "What are you talking about? What happened between you and Lucy?"
Joel's eyes flicked toward her, the smirk on his lips bitter and sharp. "Ask her. I'm done here."
And with that, he pulled the door open and walked out without another word, leaving Ketra standing in confusion.
---
Moments later, Ketra climbed the stairs with growing worry and knocked gently on Lucy's door.
"Come in," Lucy said, her voice faint.
Ketra entered to find Lucy sitting on the edge of her bed, her shoulders slumped, face pale, eyes distant.
"What happened?" Ketra asked carefully. "Why did Joel leave like that? He was so… cold."
Lucy looked up, her eyes already brimming with tears.
"It's my fault," she whispered. "I confronted him. Joel… he killed Alexander."
Ketra gasped. "What?"
Lucy nodded slowly, each word tasting bitter. "He admitted it. I saw the evidence. I hit him. I told him to leave."
Ketra stepped back in disbelief. "My God…"
"Please," Lucy added quickly, reaching out, her voice trembling, "don't tell Canary. Not yet. He's already broken over losing the CEO title. If he finds out Joel killed his father…"
Her voice cracked. "I can't lose my son too."
Ketra stared at her for a long moment, torn between truth and loyalty. Then she gave a slow, pained nod.
"For now," she said softly. "But you know the truth won't stay buried forever."