Chapter 10 Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Chapter 10


Sandra POV

The sun had just come up when my phone rang. I was still half asleep, my eyes heavy, but the sound was loud. I reached for the phone and looked at the screen. My heart jumped when I saw the name.

Brother.

I quickly sat up, pressing the green button.

> Sandra: “Hello?”

> Brother (Daniel): “Sandra. We are here.”

I rubbed my eyes, confused.

> Sandra: “Here? Where?”

> Daniel: “In your city. We came this morning. Where are you? We want to see you now.”

I froze. My hands started to shake.

> Sandra: “Already? But… you said one week.”

> Daniel: “Plans changed. We couldn’t wait. So tell us, where are you?”

My mouth went dry. My heart raced.

> Sandra: “O-okay… I’ll come. Just tell me the place.”

He told me the hotel name. A very big hotel in the center of the city. I knew it well.

When the call ended, I just sat there for a moment, staring at the wall. My chest felt tight.

“They are here… already here.”

I looked over and saw Dylan still asleep beside me. His chest rose and fell slowly. I shook him gently.

> Sandra: “Dylan. Wake up.”

He opened his eyes slowly, frowning.

> Dylan: “What’s wrong? It’s early.”

> Sandra: “My brothers. They’re here. In the city. They want to see me now.”

He sat up fast, shocked.

> Dylan: “What? But… I thought you said one week.”

> Sandra: “Yes, but they changed their minds. Dylan, I can’t hide this anymore. They will see you.”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking nervous.

> Dylan: “And when they ask? What will you say?”

I took a deep breath, my voice shaking.

> Sandra: “The truth. I will confess everything.”

His eyes widened.

> Dylan: “Sandra—”

> Sandra: “No. I can’t lie to them anymore. It’s better they hear it from me.”

He stayed quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly.

> Dylan: “Okay. If that’s what you want… I’ll go with you.”

\---

At the Hotel

An hour later, we were standing in front of the big hotel. My knees felt weak. Dylan stood beside me, his face calm but his hand cold in mine.

We walked inside. The lobby was huge, shining with gold and marble. I saw them immediately.

My father, sitting straight in a chair. My five brothers standing around him. They all turned when they saw me.

> Daniel: “Sandra!”

They rushed forward, hugging me one by one. My father stood, his eyes full of love, and hugged me last.

> Father: “My daughter. Finally.”

I smiled, tears in my eyes. For a moment, I forgot my fear. Until Nathan’s eyes shifted.

He was looking at Dylan.

> Nathan: “And who is this?”

Everyone turned to Dylan. The room went silent.

> Lucas: “This… this is not your husband.”

My breath caught.

> James: “Sandra. Tell us the truth. Who is this man?”

I looked at Dylan. He gave me a small nod, telling me to go on. My lips trembled, but I forced myself to speak.

> Sandra: “He… he’s not my husband. He’s… he’s the one I stayed with after everything fell apart. I couldn’t go back. I couldn’t face you. So I stayed with him instead.”

The room stayed quiet for a long moment. My brothers just stared. My father’s face was unreadable.

Tears spilled down my cheeks.

> Sandra: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shame you. I just… I was broken. I couldn’t carry everything anymore.”

For a moment, I thought they would explode in anger. I thought they would yell, curse, maybe even hit Dylan.

But they didn’t.

Instead, Daniel smiled. Then James. Then the others. Even Father’s lips curved a little.

> Daniel: “Sandra… is that all?”

I blinked, confused.

> Sandra: “You’re… not angry?”

> James: “You thought we would hate you? For this? No, sister.”

> Lucas: “Life is life. Things happen.”

> Nathan: “We just care that you’re safe.”

My heart lifted. I couldn’t believe it. I had been so scared, but here they were, smiling like it was nothing.

> Sandra: “You mean… you accept him?”

Father spoke slowly.

> Father: “If he is the one beside you now, then so be it. I only want your happiness, Sandra.”

I sobbed, covering my face. Relief flooded me.

> Sandra: “Thank you. Thank you, Father. Thank you, brothers.”

They all hugged me again, even pat Dylan on the shoulder.

From the outside, it looked like peace. Like everything was forgiven. Like they truly accepted him.

But I saw the way their eyes moved when they looked at Dylan.
I saw the sharpness behind the smiles.
The way Father’s hand tightened into a fist when no one was watching.
The way Daniel’s jaw clenched, even while he laughed.

Deep inside, I knew.

They were not going to let this go so easily.

They were planning something.

Something dark.

Something only brothers and a father could do when their sister was wronged.

And Dylan…
He had no idea what was coming.

The silence after their words felt heavy. I looked from one brother to the other, unsure if I should speak or wait for them to say more. Dylan stood beside me, his face calm but his eyes sharp. I knew he could feel the tension, even if he tried to hide it.

My oldest brother, Daniel, leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His voice was low but strong.
“So… Sandra, you mean this man is not your husband?”

I swallowed hard. My lips trembled. “Yes… I lied. I… I didn’t know how to tell you all. I thought if I said the truth, you would hate me or turn your back on me.”

My younger brother, Michael, shook his head and let out a soft laugh, though his eyes showed pain.
“Turn our back on you? Sandra, we are your blood. How could we hate you? No matter what happened, you are still our sister.”

Their words hit me hard. Tears gathered in my eyes. For years I had felt like I was all alone, like no one cared. And now, hearing them speak with such warmth broke something inside me.

Dylan cleared his throat, stepping a little closer.
“She’s been through a lot,” he said quietly. “More than you can imagine. I only stepped in to protect her.”

Daniel’s eyes moved to Dylan, sharp and searching. “And who exactly are you to her?”

Dylan didn’t blink. His voice was steady. “I’m the man who refused to watch her drown in silence. You don’t have to trust me yet. But know this—Sandra is safe with me.”

My heart jumped at his words. Safe. Nobody had ever said that to me before.

Michael smirked a little. “Well, safe or not, this whole story is still confusing. You better start from the beginning, sis.”

I sighed deeply. My hands shook, but I knew I had to let it out.
“I married a man I thought loved me. But he turned cold. He treated me like I was nothing. I kept quiet, hoping things would change. But they didn’t. Then… I met Dylan. He helped me when no one else did. He stood by me, even when I pushed him away.”

I stopped to wipe my tears, but Daniel reached out and gently touched my hand. “You don’t have to cry anymore, Sandra. You carried this pain too long. But tell me… where is that man now? The one who hurt you?”

Dylan’s jaw tightened. His eyes darkened, and I could feel the storm behind his calm face.
“That man… won’t touch her again. Not while I’m here.”

The room grew tense. My brothers exchanged a look I couldn’t read. Michael leaned back, his voice calm but with a sharp edge.
“Good. Because if he tries, we will deal with him ourselves. You don’t know us well, Dylan, but we don’t play when it comes to family.”

Daniel nodded slowly. “Sandra… you don’t have to hide anymore. You don’t have to carry shame or fear. We are here now. And believe me, your so-called husband will soon realize he messed with the wrong family.”

I felt my chest rise and fall, heavy with both fear and relief. They spoke so calmly, but I knew deep inside, they were not joking. My brothers were not just ordinary men. If they said th
ey would deal with him, they meant it.

I looked at Dylan. His hand found mine, squeezing it softly, as if to say, You’re not alone.

For the first time in years, I believed it.

But a small voice in me whispered: This peace won’t last long. Something is coming.