The man let out a chilling laugh and shouted:
"I, JACK, LEADER OF THE OSIRIS, AM PUTTING A BOUNTY ON SILAS AND CONOR! TEN GRAND TO WHOEVER BRINGS THEM IN… ALIVE!"
The whole gang roared, screaming like rabid animals.
Jack sat back down slowly, thoughtful:
"That bastard Conor beat my little brother… He was an idiot too, couldn't win a fight to save his life. I need to restore his honor and make him my successor… I've got one year left to live. I need to move fast."
Across the city, Marta rushed into the apartment, out of breath.
Silas and Conor, in the middle of training, turned toward her.
"Marta? What's wrong?! What happened?!" Conor asked, worried.
Silas walked over as she pulled a poster from her bag and laid it on the table.
Conor froze. Silas read it calmly, expressionless.
⸻
WANTED!
SILAS & CONOR
DESCRIPTION:
SILAS — scar on right forearm
CONOR — medium-length blond hair, blue eyes
REWARD: $10,000 — BRING IN ALIVE
⸻
Silas stayed silent. Marta exploded.
"SILAS!!!"
He looked at her, surprised.
"Do something! Say something! I don't know!! Ten thousand dollars just to catch you two!!!"
Her voice was shaking, tears running down her cheeks.
Conor stood up, unsure:
"Marta… calm down."
Unexpectedly, Silas placed a hand on her shoulder.
She went silent instantly.
He spoke in a calm, almost soothing tone:
"Just names and basic descriptions—nothing solid. It's not that serious. As long as they don't have our faces, there's nothing to worry about. I know what I'm talking about. Stop crying, it doesn't suit you."
Marta froze.
Conor, impressed, watched Silas pick up the poster casually and toss it in the trash.
"Conor, back in position. We're not done," he said dryly.
Conor nodded.
"It'll be okay, Marta. Don't worry. Thanks for caring. I love you."
Silas instantly shattered the moment by punching him straight in the nose.
"Don't get soft."
Marta couldn't help but smile.
Night fell quickly.
At dinner, Conor was devouring his plate:
"Delicious, amazing, exquisite, phenomenal!"
Silas finished his meal and said bluntly:
"It was good."
He stood up to go to sleep.
"Marta got home safe?" he asked.
"Yes!" Conor replied with a grin.
Silas stared at him.
"What's so funny?"
Conor answered softly:
"You're terrifying, cold as ice, but deep down… you're a good person. At least when it comes to Marta."
Silas sighed.
"Pff… go to bed early."
Conor smiled faintly.
Deep down, he really is a good guy…
That evening, Marta entered her home quietly.
"I'm home," she said, slipping off her shoes.
"Marta! How are you, sweetheart? How were your classes?" her father asked.
She hung her jacket.
"Great, Dad, thank you!"
Her mother chimed in:
"Go get changed, dinner's ready!"
Marta smiled.
"Thanks, Mom, I'll be right back!"
Her father murmured fondly:
"Such a sweet girl…"
⸻
At the table, Marta talked about her school day.
"So normally the math and physics exam results are coming out tomorrow," she said.
"Oh really? I hope you get a good grade!" her father replied with a smile.
"I hope so too!" Marta said brightly.
"I'm sure you'll get the highest grade, my angel," he said gently.
But inside, Marta was thinking:
With everything happening right now, I want even more to ask them why Silas is rejected. I wanted to ask before, but just saying his name always killed the mood… Alright. I'm doing it.
She took a breath.
"Dad, Mom… I want to ask you something. And please—answer calmly. Don't get angry."
Her father nodded immediately:
"Of course, princess. What is it?"
Her mother looked at her, puzzled.
Marta hesitated, then let it out:
"Why is my cousin rejected from the family? What did Silas do? When I was a kid, he was only eleven and everyone already hated him!"
Silence fell.
Her mother stiffened.
Her father lowered his eyes, then said in a grave voice:
"Marta, how old are you?"
"Seventeen, Dad, you know that."
"In six months you'll turn eighteen," he said calmly. "The day after your birthday, I promise I'll tell you everything… about my brother's son. About Silas."
Marta lowered her gaze, a bit disappointed.
"Okay… thank you, Dad."
Inside, she thought:
It's better than nothing. But I'm so impatient. I've held this question inside for so long… All the times he helped me, all the times he protected me… Silas has always treated me differently. Maybe because I was the only one who disobeyed my parents when they told me to stay away from him.
⸻
Two years earlier
"Our first day of high school was so cool!"
"Yeah, it was awesome, Marta!"
The girls walked together, laughing, until they split ways.
Marta walked alone when she noticed a figure ahead.
A heavy presence.
Her heartbeat quickened.
The man approached slowly.
"It's you, Marta, right?"
She looked up, surprised.
"Silas?! Is that you?!"
"How are you?" he asked.
"Good! Really good! And you?" she replied with a big smile.
Still wearing that cold expression, Silas simply said:
"Come with me. I'll buy you dinner. We'll talk."
Marta lit up.
"Yes! I'd love that, Silas!"
Silas thought silently:
She almost scares me… She trusts me blindly. She doesn't feel fear around me… She's the only one who accepts me in this world.
⸻
At the restaurant, as they ate, Silas spoke calmly:
"I see. Those are good goals, Marta. I hope you achieve them. And if you ever need anything, don't hesitate. I'm your cousin, and you're my family… the only family I have. Count on me, no matter what, no matter when."
Marta smiled, touched.
"Thank you so much, Silas."
She lowered her head.
"You know… I still don't understand why our family hates you."
Silas took a sip without looking at her.
"You'll learn the truth someday, Marta. But it's better if it doesn't come from me."
She stared at him.
His eyes…
For once, they didn't look empty.
No. He looked… sad.
Silas stood up.
"Thank you, Marta. It was nice. I'll pay—don't worry. Get home before it gets too late."
"Yes! It was great, Silas," she said with a sincere smile.
⸻
"Since that day, I've always been able to count on him.
When a man almost assaulted me, he saved me.
When I needed a seasonal job, he found me one.
When I crashed my bike into a car, he paid for all the damages.
Hahaha… he even threatened the owner to make him accept cash so he wouldn't call the cops…"
She wiped a tear.
"He's done everything for me. And now he's risking his life, taking on an extremely dangerous gang to protect me and Conor… How can anyone hate him? How can they ban him from the family?"
She sighed, voice trembling:
"I love my parents, but I'll never agree with that. Silas is incredible. Yes, I know he has blood on his hands, that he's hurt people—and still does… I just wish he'd stop… But he doesn't deserve to be cast out. That's… cruel."