Time did not stop for grief.
It moved forward slowly and quietly, carrying Nikel and Elora with it.
By the time Elora turned fifteen, the small house felt even smaller than before. The walls were more worn, and the roof had been patched too many times to count, yet it still stood—just like them.
Inside the house, Elora lay on the couch, half-asleep. Her ginger-colored hair spilled across her face, and the afternoon light brushed softly against her skin.
Outside, Nikel walked home with his friend Adam.
"That girl was obviously interested in you," Nikel said. "Why did you turn her down?"
"I just didn't like her," Adam replied.
Nikel laughed. "What, are you gay?"
Adam laughed too. "No. I'm straight."
"Good," Nikel said. "You're finally meeting my sister today."
Adam smiled. "I can't wait to meet the sister you talk about all the time."
When they entered the house, Adam froze.
Elora was still lying on the couch.
Nikel leaned down and shouted, "Little witch! Little witch!"
Elora jumped awake. Nikel pinched her cheek, and she slipped, landing on the floor with a yelp.
Adam stared.
Elora whispered something into Nikel's ear, making him chase her around the house. Laughing, she stumbled and grabbed the nearest thing she could—Adam's shirt.
They both fell.
For a moment, everything went quiet.
Elora was beneath Adam. Adam caught himself with one hand against the floor. Their eyes met, and neither of them spoke.
Adam quickly stood up, flustered. Elora sat up, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "What's your name?"
"Adam."
She smiled. "I know. My brother talks about you a lot."
Before anything else could be said, Nikel asked, "Where's Dad?"
Elora's smile disappeared.
"The doctor said his condition is getting worse," she said, her voice shaking. "And we don't have enough money."
Tears welled in her eyes. "Why does everyone leave? First Mom…"
Nikel pulled her into a hug. "I'm not leaving. I'll always be here."
Elora wiped her tears and went upstairs to check on their father.
Later, she returned and quietly asked Adam, "Have you ever lost someone?"
Adam hesitated. "Yes. Both my parents."
His expression darkened, and Elora didn't ask more
"I should go," Adam said. "Tell Nikel I'll see him later."
After he left, Elora sat alone on the couch, her thoughts unsettled.
She didn't understand what she felt—only that her heart felt strangely restless.
And that scared her.
Elora waited every day.
She didn't know why she cared so much—only that her heart always felt lighter when Adam visited. She would ask Nikel again and again when Adam was coming back.
But Adam never came.
Until one evening, Nikel finally told her Adam would visit.
Her chest fluttered. It wasn't love. Just a shy crush, mixed with admiration and curiosity.
When Adam arrived, Elora ran to him without thinking and hugged him tightly.
Adam froze—then returned the hug gently, meeting her eyes with a look she didn't yet understand.
That night, they shared a small meal at the tiny dining table. The food was simple. The house was cramped. But the warmth felt enough.
Leaning closer, Elora whispered softly:
"I'm sorry if I keep reminding you of painful things… I think I like you."
Adam didn't answer.
Before he could, Nikel suddenly choked.
Chaos followed.
Water spilled. Their father coughed violently. His breathing grew shallow.
They rushed him to the hospital.
The doctor came out with eyes full of regret.
Their father didn't make it.
Elora clutched her chest, gasped for air—and collapsed.
She slipped into a coma.
Nikel lost everything in one night.
His father was gone.
His sister lay unconscious.
And the weight of the world crushed his shoulders.
Adam stayed with him, urging him to hold on, to stop drinking, to live for Elora.
But grief swallowed Nikel whole.
He drank to numb the pain.
Worked endlessly to survive.
Collapsed again and again.
By the time doctors discovered the truth, his body was already failing.
Adam offered everything—even his own life—to save him.
But fate didn't listen.
On his final night, Nikel grabbed Adam's hand.
"Please… take care of my sister. Promise me."
Adam promised.
Minutes later, Nikel was gone.
Adam visited Elora every day.
He talked.
He apologized.
He begged.
Until one day, through his tears, he heard a whisper.
"Adam…"
Her eyes opened.
When she asked for her brother, the silence answered.
Adam didn't tell her—but Elora already knew.
She had heard the nurses while trapped in darkness.
At Nikel's grave, she cried like a child.
Then she turned to Adam.
"You won't leave me too… right?"
Adam nodded.
"I won't."
That promise changed everything.
Years passed quietly Adam worked hard they both worked hard to survive and for shelter over their head until one faithfully day everything changed
Adam rose from nothing.
An unexpected inheritance from a long-lost uncle turned his life upside down. The uncle had died mysteriously—leaving Adam everything.
Adam became powerful. Cold. Untouchable.
To protect Elora—and to escape his own forbidden feelings—he sent her abroad to study.
Distance was safer.
Or so he thought.