The rhythmic hum of the medical equipment mingled with the gentle patter of rain against the windowpane, creating a serene yet melancholic atmosphere. The soft glow of the monitor screens cast a faint light over the room, their steady beeping blending with the quiet of the night. The occasional rustle of the city outside was barely audible, overshadowed by the constant rain.

Tay's unconscious form was surrounded by machinery that monitored his vital signs and brain activity. After months in a coma, his once bruised and battered face had healed, leaving behind only faint traces of the brutal assault. The room itself reflected the quality of care he received: spacious and well-appointed with polished wooden floors and soft lighting. A large window overlooked the city, now blurred by the falling rain.

An IV line delivered essential nutrients to his body, while a nasal cannula provided a steady oxygen flow. Tay's chest rose and fell with each measured breath, the only indication of life within his still form. In a chair by the door, a bodyguard was reading a book on Kindle, but his gaze often shifted towards the bed. It was a routine shift, part of the round-the-clock watch to ensure their client's safety.

Suddenly, there was a change. Tay's fingers twitched slightly, an almost imperceptible movement that went unnoticed by the machinery. His eyelids fluttered, a subtle but unmistakable sign of awakening. The bodyguard, trained to notice even the most minor details, immediately caught the movement. He reached for the call button and pressed it, summoning medical assistance.

Within moments, the door opened, and a nurse entered, followed closely by a doctor. They moved efficiently, their expressions a mix of hope and professionalism. The nurse checked the IV and oxygen while the doctor focused on Tay's face, gently lifting his eyelids to check his pupil response.

"Can you hear me?" the doctor asked softly, leaning closer. "If you can hear me, try to move your fingers again."

Tay's fingers twitched, this time more deliberately. His eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes that struggled to focus on the unfamiliar surroundings. The doctor smiled encouragingly.

"That's it... Take your time. You're in a hospital, and you're safe."

Tay's breathing quickened slightly, his gaze darting around the room, but he seemed to register the doctor's words. Slowly, his body began to respond, the long months of stillness giving way to the first tentative movements.

"Do you remember your name?" the doctor asked after a brief examination.

He nodded slightly, and his lips moved, but only a hoarse, unintelligible sound emerged. The nurse quickly poured a glass of water, carefully bringing it to Tay's lips.

"Just take small sips," she instructed gently. "It has been a while since you spoke."

The doctor performed additional tests, checking Tay's reflexes and responsiveness. He shone a small light into Tay's eyes, watching for pupil reactions, and asked him to follow the light with his eyes. He then tested his grip strength by asking him to squeeze his fingers and asked a few questions for an initial assessment of cognitive functions.

"You've been in a coma for a few months," the doctor explained calmly. "You were brought here after a serious assault. Do you remember what happened to you?"

Tay's brow furrowed as he tried to recall the events. His eyes held a mix of confusion and fear, but there was a glimmer of recognition. The memories of the assault flickered through his mind like flashes of a nightmare, vivid yet disjointed.

He was dragged into a dimly lit room, the cold concrete floor harsh against his skin. Multiple figures loomed over him, unbothered to cover their faces. Art stood at the back, unable to even look at him. Demands filled the small space, each question punctuated by a vicious strike. Tay's vision blurred with each blow, but he refused to talk.

"Where is the other one?!" a gruff voice rang in his ears, followed by a sharp kick to his ribs.

His breath came in ragged gasps, pain radiating through his body, but he spat out blood and words of defiance. "You will never find him, asshole."

Tay never felt so relieved that Sean managed to escape and could warn others. After all, it was his mistake of trusting the wrong person that got him here. He glared at Art, hoping the bastard would get what he deserved one day.

His refusal only fueled their brutality. Punches combined with blunt weapons rained down on him, each impact sending waves of agony through his battered body. It was methodical, designed to break his spirit and force a confession. Yet, despite the relentless torture, Tay remained silent.

One of the men grabbed him by the hair, yanking his head back to meet their cold, calculating gaze. "This can all stop if you just talk."

Tay looked him in the eyes and spat blood into his face. He felt his consciousness slipping away, his world narrowing to a tunnel of excruciating pain. Bones cracked under the relentless blows, and his vision darkened. The last thing he remembered was a brutal kick to the head, a burst of light, and then, mercifully, darkness.

His much more aware now gaze swept over the luxurious room, stopping momentarily at sitting by the door bodyguard. It was clear he wasn't in a random public hospital.

"H-how... did... I... g-get... here?" Tay asked slowly, still struggling to speak.

"Your family made all arrangements," the doctor responded. "Tomorrow, we will do more tests to discuss your condition and follow-up treatment, but rest assured that everything is taken care of and you have nothing to worry about."

The nurse smiled at him, adjusted the pillow, and then placed the small device with a red button in his hand. "Press this if you need anything, even if you are just thirsty."

He wanted to tell them he didn't have a family, but all of this was incredibly overwhelming, leaving him exhausted. In fact, he couldn't believe he was still alive... or that someone managed to contact his father. Tay barely managed a weak nod before drifting into a restless sleep filled with memories, pulling him into a vivid recollection of his last encounter with his father...

The grandiose study of the Chinese ambassador was filled with an air of formality that suffocated Tay every time he stepped inside. The walls were adorned with awards and certificates, showcasing his father's illustrious career. But that day, the room was charged with a palpable tension, as if the very air had thickened in anticipation of the coming storm.

"Why can't you be more like your brother?" his father's voice echoed through the room, sharp and cutting. "James is excelling at Westminster, already preparing for law school, and here you are, wasting your life away with no ambition or direction!"

Tay's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. "Oh, so now I have a brother?!" he shouted back, his voice trembling with anger and frustration. "Stop using him when you need convenient comparison!"

His father's face reddened with fury. "You are a disgrace! A disappointment! Do you know what people say about you? That you are nothing but an ungrateful son who refuses to live up to his potential."

Tay's eyes burned with unshed tears, but he refused to let them fall. "You never cared about what I wanted. It was always about you and your damned career. You kept me here while letting her take Jay away. You never even let us see each other. Do you know how lonely it's been?"

The ambassador's face twisted with disdain. "Do you think life is easy? Do you think I got to where I am by following my whims and desires? Wake up and pull yourself together!" he yelled, slamming his fist on the desk. "James doesn't even remember you anymore, so stop whining and finally make something out of yourself!"

The words cut deep, and Tay felt something inside him shatter as he took an involuntary step back. "No... he wouldn't... Jay promised he would come back... He would never lie to me!"

"Do you really think he'll come back here? Stop being foolish!" the ambassador sneered. "In two years, he'll receive his grandparents' trust fund for getting into Cambridge and then train to take over Margaret's law firm. He won't have time for a useless failure who can't even meet basic expectations!"

Tay refused to believe it and buried his fear underneath an overwhelming anger. "Maybe I don't want your life, your expectations. Maybe I just want to be me. Why is that so hard for you to understand?"

His father's eyes were cold, unyielding. "Because being 'you' is not good enough. Not for this family, not for our name. If you walk out that door, you walk out on everything this family stands for."

Tay stared at his father, the man he had tried so hard to please for any scraps of information about his twin. But now, all he saw was a tyrant who had stolen his childhood and replaced it with unrelenting pressure and impossible standards. "Then I guess I'm walking out on this family."

With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the study, his heart pounding. As he left the mansion, the weight of his father's words pressed heavily on his shoulders, leaving him lost and confused but mostly seething with anger. He refused to believe that Jay would forget him... they were supposed to be inseparable. Jay wouldn't just follow their expectations, right?

Then he suddenly remembered a little slip-up his father made - the name of Jay's school. For the first time in over a decade, Tay knew where his brother was. Without wasting time, he googled it. It was one of the most prestigious and historic schools in London. Renowned for its rigorous academics and distinguished alumni... fitting their mother's plan. He stared at the screen with mixed emotions for a long time before dialling up the number for reception.

"Good afternoon, Westminster School. How may I help you?" The receptionist's voice was polite and professional.

"Good afternoon," Tay uttered, trying to sound older. "I'm calling about J-James Henry Sebastian William Anderson," he said, deciding to use his brother's full name.

The receptionist sighed inaudibly. "Of course. Please inform Miss Anderson that the matter has been resolved. Given his academic achievements, we won't include it in his records. However, the headmistress insisted on detention."

"Detention? Why?" Tay blurted out, surprised. Jay was always the reasonable one, finding getting into trouble bothersome. Detention was the last thing Tay would ever associate with his brother.

"Sir, while we appreciate the generous donation, Jay and his classmate were found engaging in gross misconduct. And I trust Miss Anderson remembers what they were doing in the headmistress's office. This is a school, not a party."

Tay froze, trying to process what she meant by it. Jay and gross misconduct with another student? Impossible... but then she sounded so incredibly serious, almost as if she was scolding him. "Um... Can I speak with him?"

"I can schedule an official visit for Miss Anderson if she wishes to address the issue in person this time."

"No, it won't be necessary," Tay replied deflated. "Goodbye."

This call left him incredibly conflicted. This wasn't his older twin brother, he remembered. Was it possible that Jay simply indulged in their mother's wealth in return for following the path she had chosen for him? Tay couldn't bring himself to accept it, but years later, Jay did indeed join their mother's law firm - it felt like the ultimate betrayal, a harsh confirmation of their father's words from that night. It made him realise he didn't have a family anymore...

The memory faded as Tay stirred slightly in his hospital bed, a single tear slipping from the corner of his eye.

Under the scorching sun, Bumrungrad International Hospital stood like a silent giant amidst bustling streets. Its modern facade reflected the glaring sunlight, shimmering faintly in the afternoon's haze. The surrounding palm trees offered scant relief, their fronds wilting in the oppressive heat. Large glass panels beckoned at the entrance, leading to a spacious, luxurious lobby with perfectly controlled temperature.

Fort and Win walked inside, their steps faltering at the grandeur around them - which looked nothing like any hospital they had been in before.

"We so don't belong here," Win muttered.

Fort nodded slightly, feeling as out of place as his companion. "I guess we will have to get used to it."

According to the treatment plan, Tay might need to stay in the hospital for another two months, depending on his recovery progress. Thanks to the excellent care he received during his coma, initial tests have not found any complications, giving him a solid head start. For now, they were glad doctors allowed short visits.

"Do you find it a bit sad that Jay hasn't come to see him?" Win asked as they followed the bodyguard to Tay's room.

"You are poking your nose where it doesn't belong," Fort scolded him in a hushed tone. "It's clearly complicated. There is no need for us to add fuel to it."

Win sighed with resignation. "You are right. There is no telling how Tay would react."

"Exactly, and we are not supposed to overstimulate him."

The bodyguard stopped in front of the door, knocked, and identified himself to his colleague inside before letting them in. The room was more spacious than their bedrooms combined, but their eyes were instantly drawn to the person on the bed.

Tay looked different, his cheeks slightly sunken from significant weight loss. His skin was paler, almost like Jay's ivory tone - an obvious clue they missed. As they realised, Jay always lacked the tan Tay had built up over the years. In their defence, neither of them had ever imagined seeing their best friend like this.

"Hey," Win said softly, his voice choking a bit. "You made us wait for quite a while."

Fort swallowed a lump in his throat, taking the sight in - the slowly dripping IV and oxygen nasal cannula. It took him back to the time his sister stayed at the hospital a lot, but he pushed it aside.

"Yeah, the record for the longest nap belongs to you now," he said, approaching the bed. "It's good to see you alive."

Tay managed a weak smile, but the look in his eyes said everything about how glad he was to see them safe. It made everything worth it. "Are... Izzy and Sean... okay?" he asked slowly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Worried about your nemesis?" Win laughed through tears. "They are fine, and once the doctor allows more people, they will come as well."

He rolled his eyes and sighed with relief. "T-that's great... I... would rather... kill him myself," Tay tried to joke, but his voice was still weak and shaky.

"Of course, some things never change."

"Uni?"

Fort and Win exchanged knowing glances. "We found a way to keep your grades and attendance, so you are still in. Just catching on scholarship, so you're welcome."

His eyebrows furrowed slightly. "H-how?"

"We can talk about boring stuff once you are better." Win waved him off with a wide grin. "Snacks are not allowed, but we brought you other things! Your new phone," he started, conveniently omitting that Jay bought it. "Some fun books and textbooks. And I will graciously lend you my Switch while you are here."

"Is there anything else you need?" Fort asked, organising everything on the bedside table.

Tay slightly shook his head.

"I can imagine it's all still very confusing, but let us know if you change your mind," he reassured him. "How are you feeling?"

"Ironically... tired," Tay responded with a light chuckle. "Even moving feels... hard."

Win smiled at him. "I'm sure you will recover in no time. Just focus on it, and the rest will sort itself out... just get better, okay? Because it sucks without you around... so... um... never do such a stupid thing again! I know none of this is your fault, but I just... want you to be careful... and Fort as well, even if he plays hard to get."

Fort playfully smacked his head. "Who's playing hard to get, huh?!"

Seeing them act so normally meant more to Tay than he could have ever imagined. It felt like his makeshift safe place was still intact. As he listened to their bickering and chatter about studies, new games, and everything he had missed, some sense of normalcy returned. It was as if their presence was grounding him and giving him a reason to push through.

"It sounds... like... you were... busy."

Win nodded, then leaned close and whispered conspiracingly. "We even managed to follow your plan. Mansion no longer exists, and after a series of protests, the grounds will be returned to the monks."

Tay smiled. He had never expected them to go through with the plan after he disappeared. But, to be honest, he didn't expect to live through it and see them again, either.

Suddenly, the door opened, and the nurse entered, carrying a tray with steaming food. She smiled warmly at the visitors before setting the tray on the side table. Moving closer to Tay, she began adjusting his bed.

"Your test results are good, so we can start gradually reintroducing food," she explained, helping him into a more upright position and setting the rotating bed table for him. "Unfortunately, it will be quite bland at first, but it's a start."

She placed the meal in front of Tay, arranging the dishes carefully. The gentle aroma of khao tom, a light rice porridge, wafted up, its steam carrying a faint hint of ginger and spring onions. Beside it was a small bowl of kai toon, a silky steamed egg custard that jiggled slightly as it settled. For dessert, there was a serving of plain yoghurt with soft, ripe fruits - slices of banana and chunks of papaya that added a touch of colour to the tray.

Win took a closer look and grinned. "Looks great for hospital food. You are so lucky, bro!"

"Please keep your voice down," the nurse gently scolded him. "Your friend needs a peaceful environment to recover over the next few weeks."

Fort and Tay sighed in unison while Win nodded sheepishly. It was as if nothing had changed, their dynamic remaining the same despite everything that had happened. In that moment, Tay realised he did have a family - a chosen one. Friends who were always there for him.