It was the middle of the night when a sharp knock echoed through my apartment. Still drowsy and wrapped in my bathrobe, I crept to the door and peeked through the peephole. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Sebastian standing there.
I opened the door, blinking in surprise, not understanding what he could want at this hour.
"You have to come with me, Selena," he said, his voice tense, eyes restless. "Get dressed. There's no time to waste."
"Where would I even go with you now? It's the middle of the night—and besides, you're blacklisted with me because of—"
He cut me off before I could finish. Grabbing my hand firmly, he looked at me with an intensity that froze me in place.
"Selena, you're the last resort. Something bad is happening with Felix. Lucas can't handle him anymore. He's threatening to lock Felix up in a psychiatric hospital if you don't step in."
A chill raced down my spine. I didn't even ask for details. Without hesitation, I slipped on my shoes, ignoring the tangled mess of my hair, the pajamas beneath my robe. Nothing mattered now except Felix.
I grabbed my phone, and as I stepped outside, I slammed the door behind me. I matched Sebastian's hurried pace, heart hammering hard in my chest.
Once inside his car, I turned to him, my voice trembling.
"When you said something bad is happening with Felix... what exactly do you mean? I'm so scared, Sebastian."
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his eyes flickering with pain for a moment.
"He tried to slit his wrists," he said quietly. "Lucas was lucky—he had the foresight to rush into Felix's room and stop him. Felix keeps saying there's no point in living anymore, that he's just a burden to everyone. He believes he's hurt only those closest to him. He says he has to disappear from your lives, that you'd finally be happy without him. That he should join his parents... the ones he accidentally killed."
I pressed my hand to my mouth, tears stinging the corners of my eyes. Fear and guilt crashed over me like a wave.
Was this my fault? Had running away with me made his condition spiral so badly?
"If he hurts himself... I'll never forgive myself. It's my fault," I whispered through shaky breaths.
"There's some fault, yes. But it's small, Selena," Sebastian said softly. "After Lucas took Felix away, he took him to see a psychiatrist. The doctor told Lucas that stopping his meds caused Felix's guilt to resurface. He can't move past killing his parents by accident. And you know, the worst part…"
"Don't tell me," I cut in sharply, my voice breaking. "I already blame myself enough. If I'd known he still needed meds, if I'd known he was still healing... I would never have taken him from Lucas."
I had believed Felix, not his brother—who only wanted the best for him.
"But you need to hear it, to understand how bad Felix's illness really is," Sebastian pressed.
"No," I whispered. "Not until I see it for myself."
*
I felt like I was in a strange amok as I stormed into Lucas's residence, brushing past his bodyguards without a second thought. The hallway blurred around me—I didn't care about their judging stares or the fact I was still in my pajamas. Nothing mattered now except Felix.
My eyes darted anxiously down the hall, desperate to find his door. When I spotted it slightly ajar, I didn't hesitate—I pushed it open and rushed inside. Lucas was there, sitting wearily on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on his sleeping brother.
"Felix," I whispered, stepping closer. Lucas turned his tired eyes toward me, his face etched with exhaustion.
"I've done everything I could to help him," Lucas said quietly. "I don't want to lock him up in a hospital again, but if you don't help, I won't have a choice. I can't let Felix take his life." He rose, his voice heavy. "I used to like you as a kid. Now, not so much. But since you might be his last hope, I want you to be there for him." Despite himself, a small, tired smile lifted the corner of his mouth. "You actually care about him, coming here straight from bed in your pajamas. That's impressive, Selena." Then, without waiting for a reply, he headed for the door.
"Did you give him something to help him sleep?" I asked, watching Lucas pause to glance back at Felix.
"We had to. I couldn't handle him anymore. Felix is my only family—I don't want to lose him," Lucas said softly before leaving.
I sank down on the edge of the bed and took Felix's cold hand in mine. Tears welled up and blurred my vision.
"I'm sorry for everything," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I promise I'll do everything I can to keep you from falling back into the hell I sent you to before. Please, Felix... pick yourself up. Show me you're strong. You mean everything to me. I love you more than life itself. I can't imagine being happy with anyone else. So please, fight for me."
I laid my head gently on his arm, letting my tears soak into the quilt beneath us. I must have fallen asleep there because the next thing I knew, soft fingers were stroking my hair. I looked up, massaging my stiff neck, and saw Felix's pale face watching me. His beautiful eyes were sad, but he forced a small smile.
"Selena," he said hoarsely, and I couldn't hold back anymore—crying like a child, I buried my face in his neck.
"Why did you want to do this to me? How could you even think of ending your life?"
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I don't know what I was thinking. I don't understand what's happening to me. I can't fight it, Selena."
"Me and Lucas—we'll do everything we can to help you. I promise."
"So you're a duo now?" he joked weakly, and I wiped my tears to look at him.
"Well, yes," I said softly. "Sometimes a common goal can bring even enemies together."
"Are you really joking at a time like this?"
He placed a trembling hand on my cheek and held my gaze.
"You know... in that moment, I just thought it would be easier for you without me. I'm a burden—to Lucas and to you."
"No," I said firmly. "You're not a burden. You're the person we love and will fight for."
*
Holding Felix's hand tightly, I helped him down to the first floor. Together, we entered the dining room, where Lucas was already seated at the table, eating breakfast with an unreadable expression. His eyes immediately locked onto us.
"Sit down. Felix hasn't wanted to eat anything for days," Lucas said without looking away from his plate.
We took our seats at the large table. I glanced in amazement at the array of dishes spread across the tabletop.
"You eat all that yourself? Can't tell," I teased, turning to Lucas. He shot me a fake smile in response.
"Don't try to befriend me. I don't like you, and I won't. Even though you helped Felix out of his room, and I've decided you'll stay here temporarily, don't expect a second chance with me. We're not on the same wavelength."
"At school, you said otherwise," I retorted, raising an eyebrow. "Even when I was much younger, you wanted to be friends."
Lucas snorted. "I was young and stupid then. Now I'm mature and wise. You're still just stupid."
"Brother," Felix interrupted, giving Lucas a pointed look. "If you treat Selena like that, I don't want her here—even if her being here helps me. Please respect her."
Lucas pressed his lips into a thin line but finally nodded.
"I'll do it only for you," he said, rising from his chair. Opening a cabinet, he pulled out several boxes and placed them carefully in front of Felix's plate. "After breakfast, take all these so I can have some peace. You're already giving me enough gray hairs." Then, flashing a forced smile at me, he added, "She can handle it—she dyes hair anyway."
"If you let me stay with him, I promise I'll take good care of Felix. I'll make sure he takes every pill," I said firmly.
Lucas groaned. "The thought gives me a headache, but I'll put up with it—for Felix. Just try to stay out of my way."
"This house is huge. No problem, Mr. Lucas. But please assign me a room close to Felix's. I need to move my things out of my apartment anyway—I can't live in pajamas forever," I said, fighting to keep my cool despite knowing I was pushing his buttons.
Lucas smirked bitterly. "What are you, Miss Selena? You look stunning in this edition—messy hair and all. It really adds to the character you don't have."
"If you're so fond of women with character, why did you treat Hannah so cruelly? The initial excitement turned to boredom fast, didn't it?" I shot back.
Felix put down his spoon and looked at me with pleading eyes. "Please don't provoke him. I really need you here, Selena."
I caught Lucas swallowing nervously. He glared at me as if ready to say something biting but thought better of it.
"Since she's a woman of character, I gave her the freedom she wanted. She'd have been miserable with me. That's my good deed for the day, Miss Selena," he said softly, then left the dining room.
I turned to Felix, who looked fragile and sad. I placed a hand gently on his back.
"Eat a lot—you've lost way too much weight."
"You don't look much better," he replied quietly. "You should eat a lot, too, to recover."
I forced the food down, desperate to set an example, so Felix would start eating properly. The food tasted delicious, but my nerves churned violently, making me feel nauseous.
I was terrified for him. Terrified—and painfully aware, this was just the beginning of the nightmare ahead if I wanted to save him.