Rejection

The loud sound of the alarm woke Kaye up. With her eyes still closed, she reached for it and turned it off. Slowly opening her eyes, she sat up and yawned. Glancing at Mikhail, who was still sleeping soundly beside her, she smiled and kissed him on the forehead before quietly leaving the room.

She went to Eros's room to check on him. He was sleeping with Isaac beside him. Kaye kissed them both and silently left the room. Nanny Sally was nowhere to be seen; she must have woken up early to go grocery shopping.

Heading to the kitchen to prepare her milk, Kaye felt arms wrapping around her from behind. "Good morning, hon," Raon said as he kissed her.

"Good morning to you too, hon," she smiled, turning to him and returning the kiss.

But as his gaze lingered on her, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes.

"It's still early in the morning, but you're turning me on already," Raon said, biting his lower lip while glancing at her exposed cleavage.

Kaye chuckled and pinched his cheek. "You're so naughty," she said, noticing his clothes. "You're going to work early?" she asked.

"Yeah, too bad. Got a bunch of meetings lined up, I shall leave now," Raon replied.

"Okay, take care on your way. I love you," she said.

Raon smiled and kissed her again. "I love you more, hon."

"I'll spend the night with you tonight, so come home early," she grinned.

Raon grinned as well and then winked at her before leaving.

Alone in the kitchen, someone entered. It was Rein.

"Duckling," he said.

Turning to face him, Kaye offered a welcoming smile. "Nik, come join me," she said, patting the seat beside her.

Rein sat beside her.

"I saw brother leaving early," Rein began, his voice hesitant.

"Yeah, he said he has meetings today," she replied softly. "Don't you have practice today?"

"I have, but it will be this afternoon, at 3 pm," he replied.

They fell silent, feeling awkward. Kaye sipped her milk.

Rein sighed and decided to speak again.

"Kaye... about my feelings for you..." he said, then stared at her.

Kaye almost spilled her milk in surprise. She quickly took a tissue and wiped her mouth.

"Nik... you know I can't love you. I'm your brother's wife, and I... I only see you as a brother," Kaye said, averting her gaze.

Rein's heart ached at her words, the pain evident in his eyes as he struggled to process her rejection.

"I know," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "But I can't help myself... I love you so much, Kaye. There's no other woman in this world better than you. I've tried to open my heart to others, but I don't feel anything for them. You're the only one in my heart..." he pressed Kaye's hand against his chest. "Only you, Kaye... "

Kaye gently pulled her hand away, her own eyes brimming with sorrow. "I'm truly sorry, but I can't reciprocate your feelings. Please... I don't want to hurt you. So please, try to stop loving me and move on."

Tears welled up in Rein's eyes, streaming down his cheeks as the weight of her words crushed his spirit. "But I can't..." he choked out, his voice trembling with anguish. "It's so hard for me to unlove you... To move on... It hurts, Kaye. It hurts so much."

Kaye began to cry as well. She couldn't bear to see Rein begging like this, but she couldn't force herself to love him. After all, he was Raon's brother and her best friend.

"I'm so sorry..." she sobbed.

Rein continued to cry, dropping to his knees before her and holding her hands tightly.

"Kaye... Can't I really have a chance?" he pleaded, his voice trembling with emotion. "It's so unfair... You've accepted others, so why not me? Just because I'm Raon's brother?"

"Yes, you're his brother, and that's why you shouldn't love me!" she said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"But if I weren't his brother, would you accept me?" Rein pressed, his eyes searching hers for an answer. "Do you have feelings for me too?"

Kaye couldn't meet his gaze, her heart torn between honesty and the desire to not hurt his feelings.

"Why won't you answer me, Kaye? Tell me, do you have feelings for me? Please, be honest," he urged.

Kaye wiped her tears and took a deep breath before meeting his eyes.

"I don't have feelings for you, Rein. Just like I said before, I only see you as a brother. Please... Forget about your feelings for me," she said, turning away from him.

But Rein wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I don't believe you, Kaye," he insisted. "You're only saying that because you don't want my brother to be upset with me."

"Nik, please..." Kaye pleaded, trying to break free from his embrace. "We can't..."

"But I love you!" Rein declared, his voice filled with desperation.

"What did you say?"

Their attention snapped to the door as they heard Tristan's voice. Kaye's eyes widened in shock as she saw him standing there, having overheard Rein's confession.

"Did I hear correctly? You love my wife?" Tristan's voice was cold, his gaze piercing at Rein.

Tristan approached them and pulled Kaye to his side.

Rein bit his lip, avoiding eye contact.

"Answer me," Tristan demanded.

"Yes, I do love her!" Rein admitted. "I've loved her since our time in the Serolf Empire. I kept my feelings hidden because I didn't want to cause trouble. She's my brother's wife. I didn't want to ruin our relationship. But I can't keep it inside anymore. Every day, it hurts to see her with you all."

Tristan clenched his fists, his jaw tense with frustration. "But you can't have her," he stated firmly.

"Why? Why is it only me?" Rein cried out. "You've accepted her other lovers, so why not me? I love her so much... Why is everyone so unfair?"

Tristan's expression softened slightly, though his resolve remained unwavering. "You know the consequences if others were to learn about this, especially Raon," he reminded Rein.

"I know, I know!" Rein exclaimed, his voice tinged with desperation.

Kaye sighed and reached for Tristan's hand.

"Kaye..." Tristan began, concern etched in his features.

"Let me talk to him alone for a while," she said softly, squeezing Tristan's hand reassuringly.

Tristan sighed, reluctant but ultimately agreeing. He leaned against the door, keeping watch as Kaye and Rein continued their conversation. Deep down, he couldn't shake the worry that Kaye might give in to Rein's feelings.

"Rein," Kaye gently held Rein's hands, her voice tinged with sadness. "I can't truly accept your feelings. You mean a lot to me, and I don't want to ruin your relationship with your brother because of me. I'm sorry if I've hurt you, but... I only see you as a brother. Can't we remain like that?"

Rein sighed heavily, tears welling up in his eyes. "But... How can I move on? I love you so much. I'm afraid I won't be able to let go."

"You will... Eventually," Kaye reassured him, her voice soft but firm. "Maybe not now, but with time, you will forget about me and move forward."

Rein's tears streamed down his cheeks once more as Kaye enveloped him in a tight hug. He cried silently against her, his heart aching from her decision.

Tristan couldn't bear to watch them, feeling a pang of sympathy for Rein, but knowing deep down that this was the best course of action for them.