episode : 3

Morning – Front Courtyard

The sun was shining brightly. A black car pulled up at the front gate. Lily was on the rooftop, hanging clothes to dry. As soon as she saw her father's car from afar, she shouted,

— “Mom! Dad’s home!”

She ran downstairs excitedly. As the door opened, her father stood there—a serious-looking gentleman around 40 years old, dressed in a formal suit with an office bag slung over his shoulder. Without waiting a second, Lily leapt into his arms.

— “Daddy! You came back after so long! I missed you so much!”

Smiling, her father replied,

— “You won’t have to miss me anymore. I’ll be staying with you all for a few days now.”

---

Inside – Living Room

Victor slowly walked in and said,

— “Uncle, I want to file a case against Lily.”

Lily’s father looked surprised.

— “What case?”

Victor pouted and said,

— “For splitting my head open! She threw a broomstick at me—”

Lily jumped in,

— “Dad! He kept pestering me and teasing me. It was his fault!”

Victor pointed to his forehead.

— “Just look at my forehead! There's still a bandage mark. Your daughter is dangerous!”

Lily’s father laughed and said,

— “Hearing your arguments, I feel like we need to set up a courtroom right in this house.”

---

Meanwhile – Rafael and His Father in the Study

Victor and Rafael’s father, a stern and experienced man, said:

— “Your brother may be young, but there’s a storm inside him. He smiles in front of everyone, but he hides all his pain from us.”

Rafael replied softly,

— “I know, Dad. Victor is very sensitive.”

— “Keep an eye on him. From now on, Sima will be helping with some office work, and she’ll be staying here for a few days. I don’t want any tension in this house.”

Rafael frowned,

— “And if Sima starts thinking too much about Victor… then?”

— “As far as I can tell, Sima still sees him as a friend. The rest, time will tell.”

Rafael nodded silently. Birds chirped outside. A new day had begun.

---

Afternoon – Drawing Room

There was silence in the drawing room. Steam rose from two cups of tea placed on the table. On one side sat Victor’s father—stern, grey-bearded, wearing thick glasses. On the other side sat Lily’s recently arrived father, a man of strong presence even after years abroad.

Their eyes met, followed by a brief silent nod of recognition. Then Victor’s father spoke,

— “We meet after so many years. Time has changed everything around us, but some people remain the same.”

Lily’s father responded calmly,

— “You still speak with the same conviction. Victor has grown up a lot. Rafael, honestly, has become a second father to him.”

Victor’s father smiled faintly,

— “You know my younger son is a bit different. He smiles in front of everyone, but hides a lot inside.”

Lily’s father sighed deeply,

— “My daughter Lily—no matter how much she pretends to be angry with him, Victor actually cares for her a lot. There’s something strange forming between them. I’ve known them since they were little… but now it’s like I’m getting to know them all over again.”

Victor’s father spoke in a firmer tone,

— “We’ll need to understand where this relationship is heading. I give my children freedom, but I won’t let them walk into a mistake.”

Just then, Rafael walked in, looking tired.

— “Dad, the tea’s finished. Shall I bring more?”

Without looking up, Victor’s father said,

— “Sit down. We’re discussing you and your brother’s future.”

Rafael paused, then quietly sat down.

Outside the door, Lily stood, listening. Her eyes were full of curiosity, her heart racing with unease.

---

Scene Shift – Lily Gets Caught

Inside, the two influential fathers were having a serious conversation, while Rafael silently listened. Lily, standing by the door, watched through a crack. Though she couldn’t hear everything clearly, Victor’s father’s voice sounded harsh.

She tried to step closer… but suddenly slipped!

— “Ahh!”

A soft thud and cry.

Everyone turned toward the door.

Rafael quickly got up and opened it.

There sat Lily on the floor, clutching her head.

Victor’s father facepalmed,

— “What was this girl doing here?”

Before Lily could get up, Rafael reached out his hand.

— “Come on. Let’s take you to your mom.”

Lily was too embarrassed to say a word. Everyone was staring, Victor’s father’s stern gaze pierced through her. Her curiosity had now turned into sheer discomfort.

Rafael gently helped her up and led her away.

---

Lily’s Mother’s Room – Moments Later

Rafael dropped Lily off and left. Lily’s mother greeted her with a knowing smile.

— “You were eavesdropping again, weren’t you?”

Lily replied with a frown,

— “Everyone is hiding something… I know it… but I couldn’t hear a thing!”

Her face showed frustration, eyes filled with doubt.

— “Even Rafael didn’t say anything… and Victor’s father just glared… are they talking about me behind my back?”

Her mother spoke gently,

— “There’s a time for everything, sweetheart. You’re still young… not everything is meant to be understood just yet.”

Lily fell silent. But in her heart, she made a promise: