The Traps of Black Swan

At Maple Regency, around half past one in the night,

In a vast, modern bedroom, Eliza was leaning on the bed's headboard in deep thought. She had rested for just a few minutes in the car due to drinks, then she was wide awake, remembering everything she had done.

The thought of Leon hurting the Lane family didn't let her take a wink of rest or ease up. If being with Leon is torturous, she was ready to endure it for her parents and sister.

She had already given up hope in her own life. She was ready to sacrifice her livelihood for their well-being.

She got off the bed and rushed out, grabbing her clutch. Alighting the stair, her speed lowered at the magnificently elegant interior of the villa.

Even though she was frightened and restless, somehow, the interior put her heart a bit at ease. Probably it was also because she wasn't at the Harmon mansion. She couldn't stop herself from admiring it as she went downstairs.

She was ready to leave from there when she heard Sean's voice, "Sil?"

Eliza turned towards the voice source, and her eyes landed on Sean, who looked… disturbed? While holding the glass of water.

Sean left the glass and rushed towards her. Even though he could remember how his mother looked, he was too small at that time to have any conversation with her.

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From his adolescence, it was Eliza who looked after him in the absence of Leon. He knew she had wholeheartedly cared about him.

Eliza tried her best to put on the smile, but there was still a bleakness. As far as she remembers, Sean was an adorable boy who was obedient and caring like Aeon; hence, she liked him a lot.

She used to help him study, play, shop, and everything he used to enjoy. Despite being so rich and knowing he could get everything, he never had any big wishes other than asking for video games and eating junk.

As the time passed, she was the one witnessing everything firsthand how Leon slowly diverted him away from being good.

Although she had tried to stop Leon, he never listened to her saying, 'Sean, doesn't have to work hard.'

All her efforts to make Leon understand that 'working hard' is different from 'growing on the right path' were failed.

Aeon was much older than Sean, and he somehow decided to go to boarding school far away from them. If Sean had grown up the same way, Eliza was sure Sean wouldn't be a spoiled brat.

Yet, she couldn't bring herself to hate Sean when she knew the problem wasn't in Sean. Leon is the problem. Even though she doubts if Sean could become like Aeon, she believed that love, care, and concern could change Sean before it's too late.

Yes, she still believed that unconditional love could change a person. Anyhow she didn't have the same hope with Leon Harmon.

Leon Harmon was a poisonous serpent that anything you tried to give him to make him a good person, he would use it and become more venomous.

Sean hugged Eliza before she could utter anything. He didn't say anything and thought about how he could comfort her.

He had heard Aeon say he needed his (Sean's) help to look after Eliza. Since the age difference between Aeon and Eliza wasn't much, and it might make Eliza very uncomfortable. Whereas Sean was nine years younger, and she always treated him like a son.

Sean's eyes darted towards the study room, and he saw his brother exit the room hearing his voice.

Aeon faintly smiled at his younger brother. Thinking of how to put Sean in place, he felt like Sean could help Eliza and the latter was too soft and righteous so she can slowly change Sean.

Sean supporting Eliza and Eliza making Sean realize the cruel reality of Leon seemed perfect for now.

However, the problem is, how to make Eliza stay?

Sean had heard Aeon brief everything about Leon. He still couldn't believe his terrific, powerful elder brother wasn't only behind Aarvi's life; he also showed off fake affection to family.

When Aeon noticed Sean was finding it hard to believe, Aeon chose to reveal to him the reason behind his past girlfriend's death.

Even though Sean wasn't totally against Leon yet, he had slightly inclined away from Leon.

Aeon knew what could make Sean change, the real colors of Leon. He needs to show him that Leon doesn't love anybody but himself and power.

He won't make it fast, slow, and steady to win against Leon, especially in the family problems, while Aarvi faces Leon head-on.

Aeon went to the dining hall to fetch water for Eliza when Sean took Eliza to the living hall.

"Sil, why didn't you tell us bro was beating you at home?" Sean finally asked with a worrisome laced in his voice.

Aeon passed the water glass to Eliza and sat pretty away to let them talk.

Eliza bit her lips and glanced at the two brothers. She really wanted to say, she spouted nonsense in a drunken state; however, she knew well it wasn't going to work.

Sean held the glass to her lips and helped her drink when she wasn't drinking. Eliza was surprised because it was always her who took care of him, and Sean never bothered about anyone, all thanks to Leon Harmon.

She obediently took a sip, and Sean stubbornly made her drink half of the glass.

Aeon breathed a faint sigh. There was another problem, how to avoid Leon putting on emotional drama in front of Sean?

Sean doesn't try to see through things. He believes whatever he likes and finds it easy. So toughening him up was also required.

Eliza was thinking about what to speak, responding to Sean's question, and leaving from there soon. Sean pulled his mobile out and played audio which was recorded while talking with Leon.

It was Aeon who directed the call conversation. He hoped Eliza could rest at ease for a few days and attend the expert counseling of the psychologist who was ready to give home treatment.

Eliza heard the conversation with her heart palpitating for each line of Leon, [Champ…]

Sean cut off before Leon could continue saying anything, [Bro, Brother Aeon said Sil will be with us for the time being. Shall I take her on a trip?... Please.]

Aeon could find the difference in Sean's way of talking, and he was sure Leon wasn't dumb to miss it. That call wasn't for Leon to believe them, it was for Eliza to be at ease, so Aeon didn't care about Leon.

[But Champ…]

Eliza's swallowed a mouthful by hearing 'but.' Anyway, Sean cut him off without letting him talk.

[Bro, I promise, I won't trouble Sil. Won't it be better if I take her around instead of being with Brother Aeon?]

Worried, Eliza looked at Aeon and saw him faintly smile in assurance. She understood Aeon was the one who made Sean speak it that way.

Then Sean's voice turned very low with a hint of mystery, [By the time we return, you can clean up here.]

Sean had an ugly expression, while Aeon had a smile for it.

There was a weird silence over call before Leon accepted, [Alright, be careful. Let me know if you need any arrangements.] He faked his care.

[You are amazing, bro. Bye.] Sean quickly hung up the call after he said in the last dialogue hurriedly.

Sean slapped his mobile aside once the audio ended and looked at Eliza, "Sil, don't think about leaving from here, please. Now it's too late, why don't you rest? We will talk tomorrow."

Eliza still wasn't sure if that one call could keep Leon away from her parents, so she was still afraid.