Ch. 4 A Broken Family

Alex was still trying to make sense of his surroundings when he heard hurried footsteps echoing from the hallway. The maid's shocked reaction still lingered in his mind as he glanced toward the door, unsure of what to expect.

[Well, Host, looks like you've caused quite a stir. Wonder how they'll react when they find out the "new and improved" Alex is awake.]

'Very funny,' he thought, his heart pounding with an unfamiliar sense of anticipation. He was still piecing together memories of his new life, so anything—or anyone—could be waiting behind that door.

Suddenly, two figures burst into the room. One was a man with sharp, calculating eyes, his features weary yet noble. His clothes were refined but slightly worn, hinting at both wealth and recent hardship. The second was a girl, younger than Alex by a few years, with dark, determined eyes that practically glared at him.

"Alex!" the man cried, rushing forward. The intensity of his gaze softened for a moment as he took in his son, awake for the first time in a year.

"Father...?" Alex managed, the memories slowly clicking into place. James Argoth. His father, the one who had spent his fortune to keep him alive.

Behind James stood the girl, her arms crossed tightly, her expression a mixture of anger and resentment. He recognized her, too, though the memories felt strangely distant.

[ Meet your loving sister, Olivia Argoth. Don't expect a warm welcome.]

"Alex, are you alright?" James asked, his voice laced with both relief and worry.

"When the maid said you were awake, I could hardly believe it. It's been... so long."

"Uh, I think so," Alex said, still dazed. "But—what exactly happened?"

"You don't remember?" James glanced at him with concern. "You've been in a coma for a year, Alex."

"A year?"

[Just enough time for your body to rest while I did the heavy lifting. You're welcome.]

Alex ignored the system, his attention on his father. But before James could explain further, Olivia scoffed, crossing her arms tighter. "Great. Just when we thought we'd finally gotten rid of you, you come back."

Alex blinked, caught off guard by the venom in her words. He remembered flashes of anger and resentment between them, especially from the "old Alex," who had held Olivia in deep disdain. It was as if every bitter memory flooded back in an instant, and Alex suddenly understood he had blamed Olivia for their mother's disappearance. She had been born just before their mother vanished, and that old resentment had festered into outright hostility over the years.

"Olivia," James snapped, turning sharply toward her. "That's enough. Your brother has just woken up after a year. Show some respect."

Olivia's glare intensified, but she held her tongue, throwing Alex a final, withering look. He could feel her hatred as clearly as if it were a physical presence in the room.

[Seems like you've won "Brother of the Year," Host. Keep up this attitude, and you'll be the family favorite in no time.]

'Not helping,' Alex thought, feeling an unusual sense of guilt. But he chose to ignore Olivia's remark, focusing instead on his father.

James sighed, his gaze shifting back to Alex, his eyes filled with regret. "You were... reckless," he began slowly, his words careful. "Do you remember what happened before you fell into a coma?"

Alex searched his newly absorbed memories, fragments coming together. A night of drinking, a confrontation, and then—"I offended an Awakened, didn't I?"

James nodded gravely. "Yes. You were drunk, and you crossed the wrong person. You... insulted a high-ranking Awakened who was passing through the city. I tried to compensate him, but it wasn't enough. He attacked you, leaving you on the edge of death."

Alex winced. The old Alex's reckless arrogance had nearly killed him, but worse, it had cost his father everything. He saw the exhaustion in James's eyes, the worn look of a man who had sacrificed much.

"I'm... I'm sorry," Alex muttered, the words feeling foreign in his mouth. He wasn't accustomed to apologizing, but the weight of his father's sacrifice weighed heavily on him.

[Apologizing already? What a transformation. Though, considering you nearly bankrupted him, maybe "sorry" is an understatement.]

James seemed taken aback but continued. "I couldn't let you die, Alex. I sold off most of my assets, invested everything I had into a healing potion strong enough to save you. The business... it's struggling now. We're one of the smallest transporters of Awakened materials in the city."

He paused, glancing at Olivia. "Your sister has been helping as much as she can. She's been very dedicated, and she..."

"I've been working hard to make up for all the damage he's done," Olivia snapped, her voice thick with resentment. "Not that he cares."

Alex glanced at her, taking in her defiance and bitterness. She had probably resented him all her life, the spoiled older brother who received all their father's attention and protection, while she worked for every scrap of acknowledgment.

"Olivia, please," James said, his tone weary. "Let's not dwell on the past. Alex, do you need anything? Are you in pain?"

Alex shook his head, feeling a strange sense of detachment from the animosity between them. He could sense Olivia's resentment, but now, after everything he'd experienced, it felt hollow. Pointless.

"No, I think I'm alright," he said, choosing his words carefully. "Just... tired."

"Of course, of course," James replied, his face lighting up with relief. "I can have food brought up. Or if you need something for your strength—"

Olivia snorted, muttering under her breath, "Right. Bring him more luxuries. That's exactly what he needs."

Alex's brow furrowed, but he kept his focus on James. He could feel the frustration building within Olivia, her anger only growing as he ignored her cutting remarks.

[Quite the dysfunctional family you've got here, Host. You might want to invest some time in "Family Repair," assuming that's part of your great plan.]

'We'll get to that,' he thought, feeling a headache beginning to form. "Actually, I think I'd just like some time alone for now. To... gather my thoughts."

James's eyes widened slightly, and he exchanged a quick, surprised glance with Olivia, who raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Time alone?" James echoed, a bit uncertain. "Of course. Yes, of course. If that's what you want."

"Are you serious?" Olivia cut in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Since when do you need 'time alone'?"

Alex glanced at her, something close to pity in his expression, which seemed to infuriate her even more. He wasn't the same person who'd held so much anger toward her, who had basked in their father's attention and neglected any bond between siblings. But he doubted she'd believe that now.

James put a hand on her shoulder. "Olivia, enough," he said firmly. "If your brother needs rest, we'll give him some space."

"Fine," she muttered, pulling herself out of his grip, her face twisted with frustration. She cast one last scathing look at Alex before storming out of the room.

James lingered a moment longer, still visibly unsure about this "new" Alex. "If you need anything, anything at all, just call. I'll be nearby."

Alex nodded, offering him a slight, genuine smile. "Thank you, Father. I appreciate it."

James blinked, clearly taken aback, as if the words themselves had thrown him off balance. He nodded slowly, almost as though he were processing this new politeness. "Yes, of course... I'm glad you're awake, Alex. Truly." With a final nod, he turned and left the room, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts.

As the door closed behind them, Alex released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His mind reeled, trying to absorb everything he'd just learned. He had nearly died, his family was on the brink of financial ruin, and his father had given everything to keep him alive.

[ Quite the mess you've inherited, Host. Maybe now you see why you might need me after all.]

'You're not wrong,' Alex thought, feeling the weight of his father's sacrifice settle heavily on him. It was time to take this second chance seriously, to live in a way that wouldn't waste what James had given up for him.

[That's the spirit. Now, let's talk about how you're going to climb out of the mess your former self created.]

Alex winced but didn't argue. He glanced around the lavish room, feeling both out of place and determined. This life had been handed back to him, and he wasn't about to waste it