Miguel stared at the phone

Brother

The word did not fit

Not in his mouth

Not in his memory

Not in the house where Aaron Vale had raised him and Ashley with quiet warmth and half-burnt toast

He looked at the screen again

No name

Just a number

Just a voice

We will talk soon

Click

Call ended

Miguel sat there for a long time

The notebook was open beside him

The diamond sketch had faded

The Pulse was not flickering anymore

It was quiet

Settled

Like it had found its home

He did not feel haunted

He felt charged

The next morning, Miguel walked Ashley to school

She skipped beside him, humming something off-key

You are quiet, she said

Miguel forced a smile

Just tired

Did you dream again

He nodded

Sort of

Ashley squeezed his hand

You are still my favorite person

Miguel blinked hard

Thanks, Ash

After school, Miguel sat in the garage again

The notebook was closed

He did not need it anymore

The Pulse was his now

He could feel it

Control it

He was starting to like it

Then the knock came

Three taps

Slow

Measured

Miguel opened the door

The man standing there looked older

Mid twenties maybe

Hoodie zipped halfway

Dark eyes steady

Olive skin

Hair cropped close

No smile

You Miguel Vale, he asked

Miguel nodded

Yeah

I am Adam, the man said

Your brother

Miguel blinked

What

Adam stepped forward

Your dad met my mom before he met yours

Her name is Clair

He knew I existed

He left us

Built a new life

Forgot me

Miguel's breath caught

That is not true

Adam's jaw tightened

She told me everything

He chose you

He gave you everything

He gave me nothing

Miguel shook his head

He was not like that

Adam's voice did not rise

Then why did he never come back

Miguel looked down

I do not know

Adam stepped into the garage

His eyes scanned the space

I came to find something

Something he left behind

Miguel moved slightly, blocking the notebook

There is nothing here

Adam studied him

You feel different

Miguel did not answer

Adam's voice softened

I am not here to hurt you

I just need to understand why he gave you the life

Why he gave me silence

Miguel's voice cracked

He did not give me anything

He died before he could explain

Adam nodded slowly

Convenient

Miguel looked at him

You do not know what he was going through

Adam's eyes narrowed

And you do not know what he did to us

Miguel stepped back

He was not perfect

But he was not cruel

Adam turned to leave

You believe what you want

I know what I lived

Miguel watched him go, heart pounding

He did not know what was true anymore

And maybe that was the worst part.