The narrow alleys of the affluent neighborhood stretched before Elian like a labyrinth of opulence. On either side, a procession of luxurious houses stood sentinel, their facades a testament to wealth and privilege. As he navigated the winding path, his gaze settled on one particular dwelling—a two-story masterpiece that commanded attention, its sleek lines complemented by a shimmering swimming pool that reflected the fading daylight.

With a subtle wave of his hand, Elian activated the home's security system. The main door responded instantly, sliding open with a whisper-quiet efficiency that spoke of cutting-edge technology. He stepped into the spacious living room, his eyes immediately drawn to the imposing television set that dominated one wall. At the center of the room, a glass table of exquisite craftsmanship was encircled by plush sofas that promised comfort and luxury.

Seated upon one of these sumptuous pieces was an old man, his weathered face a map of years lived and hardships endured. As their eyes met across the room, an almost palpable tension filled the air. Unspoken words seemed to hover between them, charged with emotion and weighted with history. Elian felt the silence press against him, thick and suffocating.

"You're here," the old man stated flatly, his tone devoid of warmth. He didn't bother to look up from the holographic screen floating before him, the text scrolling by reflected in his tired eyes.

Elian swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "How have you been?" he managed, approaching cautiously before lowering himself onto one of the nearby sofas.

The old man's response was to lean back in his seat, manipulating the holographic display with practiced ease. With a swift gesture, he deactivated the transparent option, effectively shielding his face behind a wall of light and data. "How should we be?" he countered, his voice a mixture of weariness and barely concealed resentment.

"I'm trying my best to arrange things," Elian offered, his gaze fixed on the polished surface of the glass table, unable to meet the accusation in his father's eyes.

With a grunt, the old man stood, turning his back on Elian as he walked away. "What has been done cannot be undone," he said, his words heavy with finality. "Now we must live with this burden. I'm old; it's all inconsequential to me. But what about her?"

Elian felt the weight of guilt press down upon him, threatening to crush his spirit. "You're all my family," he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I understand I have wronged you, but—"

"Dinner is ready!" A small, cheerful voice cut through the tension like a ray of sunshine piercing storm clouds.

A young girl bounded into the living room, her bright eyes widening with delight as they landed on Elian. Her face lit up with unbridled joy, and she rushed towards him, leaping into his arms with the abandon only a child can muster. "Brother!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with love and excitement.

Elian felt his heart simultaneously warm and constrict, a maelstrom of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. An indestructible feeling of love, tinged with regret, gripped his soul as he gently caressed her hair, purposefully mussing it. "Hey there, troublemaker," he said softly, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

"Stop it!" she protested, giggling as she batted his hands away. "I'll need another hour to fix this mess!"

Her laughter faded slightly as she fixed him with a reproachful look. "Why didn't you come last time? I waited for you the whole day."

Elian scooped her up in his arms, heading towards the kitchen. As they moved, his father's voice followed them, tinged with barely concealed bitterness. "Your brother has many important things to do, Lilly. Let him be."

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The little girl screwed up her face in an exaggerated imitation of their father's perpetual frown. "He's always grumbling. His face is already full of wrinkles," she observed sagely, holding her own jaw in a comical mimicry.

Elian couldn't help but laugh, a genuine smile spreading across his features. "Voilà!" Lilly exclaimed triumphantly, clapping her small hands together. "I can understand why Dad already looks so old, but what about you?"

The question caught Elian off guard, and he halted mid-step. He let out a deep breath, consciously relaxing the furrows that had formed on his brow. She was right; at barely twenty-four, he already wore the weight of the world on his face. How could he possibly explain to her the burdens that weighed so heavily upon her brother's shoulders? The thought provoked a bitter laugh deep within him.

"You can start without me," he said, gently setting Lilly down. "I need to check on Mom first."

Lilly's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You aren't running away, are you?" she asked, one eyebrow raised in an uncanny imitation of their father's skeptical look.

"Go on now," Elian chuckled, spinning her around and giving her a gentle push towards the kitchen. As Lilly's footsteps faded, he turned and began to climb the stairs, his heart growing heavier with each step.

"Mom?" he called out softly as he reached the upper floor. The lack of response sent a shiver of unease down his spine. As he approached the partially open door to his mother's room, a sound stopped him cold.

Muffled sobs, barely audible yet deafening in the oppressive silence of the house, reached his ears. His heart shattered at the sound of her distress. Steeling himself, he pushed the door open.

The sight that greeted him was one of utter desolation. His mother sat on the edge of the bed, her face buried in her hands as her body shook with quiet sobs. Elian felt his own eyes begin to burn with unshed tears.

"Hey, Mom," he said softly, rushing to her side. He crouched before her, gently prying her hands away from her face. The devastation he saw there—eyes red and swollen from prolonged weeping—felt like a physical blow. His heart contracted painfully, as if someone had reached into his chest and was slowly crushing it.

"Darling," she gasped, startled by his sudden appearance. "I didn't notice you." She hurriedly tried to wipe away the evidence of her sorrow, her movements frantic and uncoordinated. "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to see me like this. But it's fine now, I'm fine," she insisted, helping him to his feet even as her voice trembled with barely contained emotion.

Elian sat beside her on the bed, his own composure crumbling. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice thick with unshed tears. He had always been taught that a man should never cry in front of others, that he should hide his weaknesses from the world. But here, with the one woman for whom he would move heaven and earth, those rules seemed meaningless.

His mother stood abruptly, visibly trying to pull herself together. "Let's go," she said, her voice steadier now as she wiped the last traces of tears from her face. "The others are waiting for us."

Elian rose slowly, his movements leaden with guilt and sorrow. He walked to the balcony, unable to face the thought of joining the family he had hurt so deeply. "Actually, I still have a few things to do," he said, his voice hollow. "Tell Lilly I'm sorry, but I need to go."

"Wait!" His mother's cry echoed behind him, but Elian was already in motion.

With a thought, he activated his quantum armor, the advanced technology enveloping him in a protective cocoon. Without a backward glance, he dashed forward and launched himself into the void. He landed with a resounding thud on a nearby rooftop, the impact barely registering through the armor's dampening field.

As he stood there, gazing back at the house that held his family—the family he had wronged so grievously—Elian's hands clenched into fists. His knuckles cracked under the pressure, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the anguish in his heart.

"What kind of son makes his mother cry?" he berated himself, his voice a harsh whisper lost to the wind. "What have you done, Elian?"

In that moment, standing alone under the vast expanse of the darkening sky, Elian made a solemn vow. "Even if I have to rip the skies asunder," he promised, his words carrying the weight of an unbreakable oath, "I swear you will never shed another tear because of me."

With that declaration echoing in his mind, Elian turned away from the house and disappeared into the gathering night, leaving behind a family fractured by secrets and a little sister who would undoubtedly hate him for his abrupt departure. But in his heart, he knew that someday, somehow, he would make things right—no matter the cost.