The Last Memory of You

Rose Murdock's POV

Daniel started walking into the house. "Let's take this inside."

My heart clenched, and I tried to shove Raymond off me so I could follow.

However, he only gripped me harder.

"Are you out of your damn mind? He's a stranger! The roads are blocked, the weather is lethal, and you nearly froze yourself to death—all just to find a healer for that man?"

I yanked against his hold, but Daniel had already stepped inside and disappeared, with Jenna following close behind.

Tears filled my eyes, and my voice cracked from anger. "He's my brother, my family! You're the one I don't even know!"

Raymond looked like he was about to blow up. "He's not your brother—I am! Rose, how can you not see it?"

His grip was crushing, no matter how I fought. At last, exhausted, I gave up, meeting his gaze with a bitter smile.

"Weren't you the one who told me he was my brother?"

Raymond froze, lips trembling. "No… The things I said before, they weren't—"

I was about to reply when a figure appeared in the corner of my vision.

It was Adrian. He had followed us here.

His clothes were covered in snow, and he looked worried. The second he saw me, he sighed in relief—but then his gaze shifted to Raymond. He faltered for a moment before gradually looking down.

Adrian stood there silently, not taking another step forward.

Raymond's voice trembled, yet it carried grim resolve. "Enough. This ends here. Stay put. I'll take you home, Rose. Please."

Adrian turned around, moving slowly and painfully back the way he had come.

My heart ached so much I could hardly breathe.

"Adrian!" I shouted.

With his failing health, just reaching this place must have drained every ounce of his strength. Sending him back alone in that condition could kill him.

Adrian's steps faltered. He didn't look back.

Raymond's eyes went wide with rage.

"Rose, get it through your head! I'm your real brother!"

That fragile silhouette ahead of us stopped for a moment before continuing.

I tried to struggle free from Raymond's grasp. "Let go of me!"

Raymond's eyes were red, and he snorted. "Why did you think he took you in? I investigated. It turns out he had a sister who died a few years ago. She was merely a teenager then—"

Thud!

Adrian had collapsed silently onto the ground.

Fear took over, and I started crying profusely. I lost control and started shouting at Raymond. "Let go! Get out of my way! I'm going to save him!"

My tears fell onto the snow. It couldn't be stopped.

I tried my best to pull away from Raymond. "Please let go of me. I want to go there and save him!"

Raymond held onto me. His face was pale. He moved close to my ear and whispered, "No way! Rose, it's me. Look closely! I'm your brother!"