The following day, I casually inquired about Lucian's well-being as if nothing had transpired after I brought an end to someone's life the previous night and delivered Amara's head to the Grandmaster's chamber.
"How are you feeling?" He was lying on my bed. I had slept in the living room that night and found him lying on my bed when I returned, so I let him be.
He grunted as he attempted to sit up, so I helped him settle into a more comfortable position. I needed to visit Mom regarding Kuya Nikolai and Layla. "Were you on a mission last night?" Instead of answering my question, he redirected with his own.
"Yes. By the way, what happened to you yesterday? Do you realize how much effort it took for me to stitch up those wounds?" It was the first time I had done that for someone else.
He sighed, "They found out that I was spying on them–"
"I told you before, didn't I? Look at what happened to you," I scolded him while he glared at me.
"It was because of the painting, amore. I went to such great lengths to ensure they didn't suspect I was a spy, but then the auction happened. I thought it wouldn't matter if I brought you along, but it turned out to be a trap. Mrs. Spencer is part of the Crimson Organization, which I didn't know, and she was aware of your involvement. I returned to the organization with the painting, thinking it was safe, but it was a setup. They already knew about us working against them before I joined. They tortured me, but miraculously, I managed to escape." I felt remorse for what he endured, but at least he survived. He'll be fine.
"And you told me not to take you to the hospital."
"And you did a good job at suturing my wounds."
"Whatever." I rolled my eyes before standing up. "Stay here at home, I have to meet my mom."
.
..
...
“Where's mom?” I asked as I entered the house, addressing Dad, Kuya Nikolai, and Layla. I hadn't seen Tristan since I arrived. That's odd.
"Your mom isn't here. I sent her back to Zambales for a vacation," Dad informed me. I was puzzled by his statement, as I couldn't recall a time when he allowed Mom to be far from him, and my grandparents didn't approve of Dad.
"You should head back home, we'll call you once Mom returns," Kuya Nikolai said seriously, while Layla avoided making direct eye contact with me.
The three of them stood in front of me, blocking my path as if they didn't want me to leave where I stood. "Mom didn't mention anything about going on vacation when we spoke on the phone yesterday," I raised an eyebrow at the three of them. They were acting strangely, and I sensed something was amiss.
"We told her not to tell you–" Dad was interrupted before he could finish speaking.
“What did you do? Something is not right, and you guys are acting strange. Where is my mom?” I clenched my fists and pushed past Kuya Nikolai, making my way to Mom's room. However, before I could get closer, Dad and Kuya blocked my path.
"Don't. Please. Just go back to your house, Winter." he pleaded.
"Listen to your brother, Winter. It's for your sake–"
I glared at the both of them in frustration and forcefully freed my hands from their grips. "Don't you dare stop me, especially you, Kuya," I said with clenched teeth. He was aware of my role as an assassin. "Don't mess with me," I added, causing him to step aside.
"Winter, please..."
Ignoring their pleas, I grew even more bewildered when the door locked. "Give me the damn key!" Disturbing thoughts filled my mind, and I felt anger rising within me. 
Kuya quickly handed me the key, and I unlocked the door. I could see the pallor of their faces. They couldn't meet my eyes directly.
"If you hurt my mother, you will pay for it," I turned away from them and entered the room. There, I saw own Mom's lifeless body on the bed, surrounded by her own blood. I composed myself and approached the bed, sitting beside her.
"Mom…" my hand trembled as I checked for a pulse, finding none. I took a deep breath before letting go, closing my eyes. It felt like a lump was in my throat. 
“Winter…” I heard my Dad's voice, and I opened my eyes.
"Who did this?" I asked, still not looking at him, holding Mom's hand. She was gone. I came late.
“I’m sorry,” I turned to him with anger. Kuya and Layla stood behind him.
“Sorry? Do you think you can bring her back after you said sorry?" I stood up, advancing towards him. "She's been your wife for 35 years! She's my mother!" Tears of anger streamed down my face. How could he killed her own wife? My own mother let Layla stayed in this house after Layla's mother passed away after giving birth and this? This is the payment my mother received from him? It's awful.
“You are not gonna tell the police though,” he said, pulling out a gun from behind him and aiming it at me.
“Dad!” Kuya Nikolai's voice rang out from behind him, but Layla held him back.
Unflinching, I challenged him. Is he going to kill me now? "Kill me like you killed my mom, dad."
“I'm sorry, my daughter," his body suddenly collapsed in front of me. A silenced gun shot him from behind.
“Our lesson for today is, don't point your gun at my little sister,” a familiar voice came from behind Kuya Nikolai and Layla, pointing a gun towards them.
“Alistair…”
“Kuya…”
“Run, you two,” Alistair's cold voice commanded the two.
“Kuya Alistair–”
“You conspired to kill our own mother with Dad, Nikolai. I want you to hide forever. If I see you, I'll kill this woman," Layla went pale as she heard his words. “One minute. Now. Hide,” Alistair added, and the two quickly fled the room without looking back at us.
“Alistair.”
He immediately lowered his gun and embraced me tightly. “I'm sorry, Winter. I'm sorry for showing up only now. I'm sorry Kuya arrived late,” tears streamed down my face one after another.
Gently, he stroked my back and tried to calm me down. “Just keep on crying...” his voice was soothing. I cried in his arms for a few minutes before I felt like I had no more tears left to shed.
I pulled away from him, wiped my face, and looked at Mom. She was already lifeless. Kuya Alistair approached and held Mom's hand, kneeling beside the bed.
“Mom, I'm sorry. Your eldest son arrived late. If only I hadn't been delayed, this wouldn't have happened to you,” he gently kissed the back of her hand.
I stood beside Kuya Alistair and tapped his shoulder. “Layla is pregnant with Kuya Nikolai’s child, and I was going to tell mom about it today, but I arrived too late.”
He stood up immediately, “That bastard, I'm going to kill him.”
I stopped him from leaving. “Don't harm him. What transpired today will be a burden he carries for the rest of his life.”
I heard a groan behind us. Dad was still alive.
“What should we do with Dad?” I asked him, puzzled.
He glanced at Dad and approached him. “What do you want me to do with him, little sister?”
“Send him to Pitcairn Islands,” he looked at me.
“Are you sure?”
I nodded slightly. “He is still our Dad. I don't wish for his death, but I want him far away from us. Provide him with enough resources to survive for a year."
“What about Mom?”
“I'll handle it on my own.”
“Then I entrust the rest to you,” he said, helping Dad up from the floor.
“Promise me, you'll return.”
“When the right time comes again, little sister.”
“Kuya Alistair.”
“My enemies are still after me. But I promise you one thing: I am always here to support you. Goodbye, Winter.”
He disappeared from my sight along with Dad, leaving me alone.
жжж
Author's note: Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful day, and don't forget to follow and support the story. Danke schön!