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Rina sat on the worn-out couch in the dim underground lair, fingers curled around a steaming cup of coffee. The faint hum of machines filled the silence, and across from her, Eric leaned against the table, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
She had spent years in darkness, trapped, thinking the world had forgotten her. But now, she was free, and the first thing on her mind wasn't herself—it was her son.
"How is Jaxon?" she asked, her voice soft, yet laced with uncertainty.
Eric let out a slow breath. "Strong," he admitted. "Determined. He's got your fire."
Rina's lips pressed into a thin line. "And Aster?"
Eric's expression darkened slightly. "A fighter."
A knot formed in Rina's stomach. She had never known Aster—not the way a mother should. But she had always known Jaxon, and that was why Eric's hesitance unsettled her.
"What happened between them?" she pressed.
Eric sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Jaxon was always the one in control. He had the leadership, the presence, the influence. He learned to survive by being the strongest in the room. And Aster…" His voice trailed off.
Rina's heart clenched. "Aster challenged him, didn't he?"
Eric nodded. "Constantly. And Jaxon didn't take it well."
She swallowed hard. "You mean he hurt him."
Eric's jaw tightened. "Physically. Mentally. Jaxon wasn't just the older brother—he was the one with power, and he made sure Aster knew it." He paused before adding, "And the worst part? Aster believed it."
Rina set her cup down with trembling hands. Her son—the boy she had once held in her arms—had turned into someone who hurt others. Someone who had hurt his own brother.
"I should have been there," she whispered, guilt crashing over her like a wave.
Eric's voice was steady but firm. "It wasn't your fault."
"But it was," she whispered. "I left them. I wasn't there to guide Jaxon. I wasn't there to protect Aster."
Eric crouched beside her, gripping her shoulder. "It's not over, Rina. They're both still here. There's still time."
She looked at him, her eyes filled with something fragile—hope, maybe. "Do you think they'll ever forgive each other?"
Eric hesitated before answering. "Jaxon isn't the type to apologize, and Aster isn't the type to forget. But forgiveness? That's up to them."
Rina exhaled shakily, nodding.
She had lost so much. But maybe, just maybe, she still had a chance to fix what was broken.
Rina stared at the floor, her mind racing with memories she barely had the chance to make. Jaxon had been her baby once, her son. The last time she held him, he was just a child. And now, the man she was hearing about—a ruthless leader who had tormented his own brother—felt like a stranger.
Eric watched her carefully, his sharp eyes missing nothing. "You know Jaxon," he said after a moment. "Even after everything, he's still your son."
Rina exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "But do I? The boy I knew wouldn't have turned into this."
Eric scoffed. "You don't grow up in a war without getting blood on your hands."
Rina shot him a look. "That's not an excuse."
Eric sighed, leaning back against the wall. "No, it's not. But it's the truth."
Silence settled between them.
After a moment, Rina spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Does Aster hate him?"
Eric's lips pressed into a thin line. "Aster doesn't trust him. Not anymore. But hate?" He shrugged. "That's complicated."
Rina's chest ached. "I need to talk to them."
Eric gave her a sharp look. "That's dangerous."
"I don't care."
"They're walking on a thin line, Rina," Eric warned. "One wrong word could make things worse."
She stood, setting her cup down with a soft clink. "Then I'll be careful."
Eric sighed, shaking his head. "You're as stubborn as ever."
She smirked faintly. "And you're still trying to talk me out of things."
Eric chuckled dryly. "Someone has to."
Rina's expression turned serious. "I won't sit back and watch my sons destroy each other."
Eric studied her for a moment, then finally nodded. "Then let's do this right."
She tilted her head. "What do you have in mind?"
Eric pushed off the table, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Aster and Jaxon aren't the type to sit down and talk over dinner."
Rina frowned. "So?"
"So," Eric continued, "we need to get them in the same room first—without weapons drawn."
Rina crossed her arms. "You have a plan?"
Eric smirked. "Of course I do."
She sighed, shaking her head. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Because you know me," Eric said simply.
Rina looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Yeah," she murmured. "I do."
And for the first time in years, she felt like she was finally taking control of her life again.