The phone vibrated softly against her ear, a reassuring sound in the calm, isolated atmosphere of the house. Aïnis slumped against the wall in the hallway, closing her eyes. She needed a conversation, something normal, something light, something that wasn't as heavy as the invisible chains she carried.
— "Hi, Ivan," she said softly.
— "Hey, Aïnis. So, how was your day?" Her brother's calm voice crossed through, always so stable, almost detached.
She took a deep breath, trying to contain what she was feeling. She knew her brother had no idea what she was going through, what she still had to face.
— "It was... strange." She closed her eyes. "But I guess I'll get used to it."
The silence on the other end of the line was heavy. She knew he was weighing his words, probably trying to find the best way to comfort her without diminishing what she was feeling.
— "You know, Aïnis, I understand it's hard, but you're not alone," he paused, his voice becoming softer. "You don't have to carry all of this alone."
Aïnis pressed the phone against her ear, feeling a twinge in her heart. She had always been the little sister, but she was also the one who managed, the one who carried the burden. And yet, at that moment, she would have given anything to switch places with him. He had found a way out. He had fled that life, far from everything, far from family obligations. While she… she was stuck. She could leave, but she didn't want to disappoint her father. If she left too, who would take care of him? Who would he place all his hopes on? So she accepted this sacrifice, even if it meant denying herself, because she wanted to make her father happy.
— "I know, Ivan," she whispered, closing her eyes, feeling the pressure rise in her throat. "But you got the chance to escape. You got to live your life. Me? I'm here, having to face all of this. Living in the shadow of our father and this family that decides everything for me."
She felt the coldness of her words cut through her a little, but it was the truth. She hadn't chosen to be here, to carry the weight they had imposed on her.
— "I didn't have a choice either, Aïnis," Ivan responded, his voice growing somewhat firmer. "But you're not alone. I decided to leave so you could take your place, I know that. But you're stronger than you think. You can get through this. I believe in you."
Aïnis bit her lip, a flicker of frustration passing through her eyes.
— "You believe in me… but you haven't seen what I'm going through. You didn't have to live this. You didn't have to bear this burden."
Ivan let out a sigh, a response that seemed to reach across the phone screen.
— "I'm sorry, Aïnis. Truly. I can't tell you it's going to be easy. But I promise you, one day, all of this will be in the past. And you will be free."
She closed her eyes, trying to hold on to his words. But she couldn't shake the feeling of this weight, heavy and unyielding, on her shoulders. She felt like she had to choose between her own desires and her father's expectations. Between her dreams and her responsibilities.
— "Thank you, Ivan," she finally whispered. "I'll try to hold on."
— "That's all I'm asking, Aïnis. Don't forget, I'm here, even from a distance."
Aïnis gently hung up, feeling her heart grow even heavier. She knew things wouldn't change. The weight of family, of legacy, of her destiny, she had to accept it. But it wasn't easy.
She slowly stood up, taking a deep breath. It was just another day in the same loop. She knew what she had to do.
She lowered her head, a shiver running down her spine. She had never had the right to choose. She had never had the luxury of deciding her own fate. Not really.
Later that evening, after having some time for herself, Aïnis went up to her room, her thoughts still focused on everything she had to face. She sat by the window, looking at the city lights that shimmered in the distance.
At that moment, she heard a soft knock on the door.
— "Miss?" Blake's calm, measured voice startled her.
She slowly stood up to open the door. He was standing there, motionless, in his black suit, like a silent shadow. But this time, something was different. Maybe it was the air of the evening, maybe it was the fatigue. But Aïnis felt an unusual presence in him.
He stayed there for a moment, gazing out the window.
— "You seem lost in thought, Miss," he said in his neutral tone. "If you need anything, I'm at your service."
She slowly turned her head towards him. Their gazes met for a brief second, and something passed between them. Aïnis didn't quite know what it was. It wasn't a clear moment of closeness, nor a significant gesture. But something small.
She hesitated for a moment before replying, her tone softer than before.
— "Thank you, Blake. I… I don't need anything at the moment."
He nodded slightly, and without another word, he turned to leave. But before leaving the room, he stopped briefly.
— "Don't forget, Miss. I'll be there, no matter what happens."
He walked away silently, and Aïnis stood there, once again alone with her thoughts. For a moment, she wondered what all of this meant. But she didn't have the time to think any further, as a new day was already beginning to peek through the horizon.