Villain But... - #CHAPTER 2 - The Breaking Point

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The house was unusually quiet that evening.

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Elyra sat in her room, staring at the papers on her desk.

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Her father's company.

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His expectations.

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His plans for her future.

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Everything felt like a cage.

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She had tried explaining it before, but every time she opened her mouth, the words seemed to disappear.

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She didn't want that life.

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She wanted to travel.

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She wanted to photograph places people rarely noticed.

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She wanted to create something of her own.

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A travel brand.

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A life where she could finally breathe.

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That evening, she gathered enough courage to speak.

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"Dad... I don't want to work in the company."

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Her father's expression immediately changed.

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"What did you say?"

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Elyra swallowed nervously.

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"I said... I don't want to do it."

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"I know you and Mom want me to take responsibility, and I respect that. But this isn't what I want."

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"I want to travel. I want to take photographs, explore different places, and build my own brand."

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Her voice became steadier.

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"I know you think it's unrealistic, but it's my dream."

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Her father stared at her for several seconds.

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"You will do what I tell you to do."

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Elyra shook her head.

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"No."

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The room fell silent.

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"I won't live someone else's dream just because you decided it for me."

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That was enough to push his anger beyond control.

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What followed left Elyra terrified and overwhelmed.

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She tried to make him understand.

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She tried to ask him to stop.

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But nothing changed until he finally left the room.

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The door slammed shut.

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Elyra stood frozen for a moment before her breathing became rapid.

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She couldn't calm herself down.

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Her hands trembled.

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Her thoughts became scattered.

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She felt trapped inside her own room.

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Her mother eventually reached her and stayed beside her until her breathing slowly returned to normal.

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She gave Elyra some water, helped her settle down, and quietly treated the injuries she had suffered.

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"Just rest for now," her mother whispered.

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Elyra nodded weakly.

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She was exhausted.

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Within a short time, she fell asleep.

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---

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A few hours later...

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The front door opened.

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Elyra's older brother stepped inside.

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He had expected to find his sister waiting for him like she usually did.

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Whenever he came home, Elyra would run toward him and start telling him everything.

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"Brother, guess what happened today?"

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"Brother, I saw the most beautiful place!"

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"Brother, I have a new idea!"

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But today...

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Nothing.

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He looked around.

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"Mom?"

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"Where's Elyra?"

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His mother hesitated.

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That hesitation immediately worried him.

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"Where is she?"

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His mother quietly told him what had happened.

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His expression changed completely.

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"What?"

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He immediately went toward Elyra's room.

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When he saw her resting, he noticed enough to understand that this time had been different.

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His eyes filled with tears.

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He turned away for a moment, trying to control his anger.

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Then he whispered,

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"How could he do this to her?"

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Elyra suddenly woke up at the sound of his voice.

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"Brother...?"

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He immediately went to her side.

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"Are you okay?"

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"I'm fine..."

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"No, you're not."

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His voice broke.

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"Tell me what happened."

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Elyra looked down.

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"Calm down, bro."

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"Please... just sit."

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He sat beside her.

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For a moment, neither of them spoke.

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Then Elyra finally whispered,

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"I just don't want to work in Dad's company."

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"I know what I'm good at."

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"I want to travel."

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"I want to photograph unique places."

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"I want to build something of my own."

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"I don't want to spend my life doing something I never chose."

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Her brother listened quietly.

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Then he took a deep breath.

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"You should have told me sooner."

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Elyra gave him a tired smile.

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"I tried."

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He looked toward the door.

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"Enough."

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He stood up.

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"This ends today."

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---

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The next morning, her brother went straight to his father's office.

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He didn't knock.

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He walked inside.

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"How could you treat your own daughter like this?"

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His father looked up.

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"Watch your tone."

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"No."

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His brother's voice was firm.

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"You've controlled her entire life."

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"You've decided what she should study, what she should do, and what kind of future she should have."

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"But you don't get to decide her dreams."

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His father remained silent.

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Then he said coldly,

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"She is not my daughter anymore if she refuses to understand her responsibilities."

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His brother stared at him in disbelief.

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"What?"

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"You're saying she's not your daughter?"

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His voice shook with anger.

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"She's your daughter!"

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"And you're willing to lose her just because she doesn't want your company?"

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His father didn't answer.

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His brother stepped closer.

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"Listen carefully."

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"I won't let you destroy her confidence anymore."

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"If you become a barrier between Elyra and her dream, I'll choose my sister."

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His father's expression softened slightly.

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His son continued,

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"You've already lost one daughter because of the way you treat people."

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"Don't lose another."

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"And don't lose me too."

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For several seconds, the room remained silent.

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Finally, his father looked away.

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"Leave."

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His brother didn't move.

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"Do what you want."

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"Build her brand."

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"Take her wherever she wants to go."

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"Just leave this place."

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His brother slowly nodded.

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"That's exactly what I'm going to do."

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---

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When he returned home, Elyra was sitting quietly near the window.

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He walked over and smiled.

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"I have good news."

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She looked up.

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"What?"

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"You're leaving tomorrow."

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Elyra blinked.

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"What?"

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"I've arranged a separate apartment for you."

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"Somewhere peaceful."

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"Close to beautiful places, forests, markets, and plenty of locations where you can take photographs."

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Elyra stared at him.

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"You did all that?"

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He nodded.

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"You deserve a chance to build the life you actually want."

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She smiled for the first time in days.

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"Thank you, brother."

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He gently smiled back.

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"Tomorrow, your new life begins."

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Elyra looked toward the window.

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For the first time in a long time...

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She felt like she could finally breathe.

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And somewhere beyond that house, an entirely different chapter of her life was waiting.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U9zl8WGLs

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