WHILE CARRYING the cellophane containing something he bought before going home, Knight heard laughter from the kitchen as he walked in his house. He quickly headed to where the noise was coming from and then stopped by the door when saw the people around the dining table.

Jacques was bossing Cloud around again while Dimitri argued with him. SM and Elizabeth were laughing over something, while Midnight was gawking at the "welcome home" cake SM made for him—a cake designed like a clock with its hands stopping at midnight.

Knight couldn't help but smile. The mansion was quiet before. Aside from him and Cloud, there were no other people in the house. He'd rather go to a friend's house than invite them over because the whole house screamed of loneliness in every corner.

So, seeing this now, he felt joy. His mansion had never looked and felt so lively. Ever.

Knight stared at the amazing woman who made this all happen. Sweet Monday. Her name suited her very well. Such a sweet woman.

And she's mine.

He finally entered the dining area, and it was Midnight who noticed him first. His younger brother had a happy smile on his lips. He missed that. The way Midnight looked and smiled at him sent him back to memory lane, as it was his expression every time they would meet after a long time of being hidden from him by their father.

"Kuya," Night greeted. The trust shining in the depths of Midnight's eyes was overwhelming. "I was gone for so long. Cloud said I made you worry."

Knight smiled in response before approaching him. He gave the cellophane to Midnight, looked him in the eyes, and said, "Welcome home, Little Brother."

"Home..." Midnight whispered before grinning. "I like that." Then he accepted the cellophane. "What's this? My 'welcome home' gift?"

"Kind of."

Midnight's forehead creased, his eyes filled with anticipation. The expression on his face changed as soon he knew what was inside.

Midnight's wide grin was back.

"Fuck yeah!" Midnight pumped his fist like a happy kid. "Rocky Road and Double Dutch Ice cream! Thanks, Kuya."

He was taken aback when Elizabeth excitedly approached Midnight, peeking at the tub of ice cream he was holding.

"Can I have some?" she asked.

Midnight looked at Elizabeth for a couple of seconds before smiling. "Of course. Which flavor do you like?"

"Rocky road," Elizabeth answered enthusiastically before getting a spoon while Midnight was opening the tub. Elizabeth immediately scooped some. She closed her eyes, as if extremely delighted. "Hmm... Hello, carbs."

Knight could tell that Midnight was happy while looking at Elizabeth joyfully eating ice cream. Then Midnight looked at him, offering him a spoon.

"Want some, Kuya?" Midnight asked.

He didn't really like ice cream, but for his brother, he accepted the spoon, scooped some, and joined his siblings. While they were enjoying the ice cream together, he approached SM to embrace her.

"I'm home," he said.

SM hugged him back and kissed his cheek. "Welcome home, my lord," she said, smiling, and then gently pushed him. "Go back to your siblings," she whispered. "Have fun."

Knight smiled at SM and whispered, "Thank you."

SM kissed him on the lips before helping Cloud, Dimitri, and Jacques with the food, while Knight went back to Midnight and Elizabeth.

When he caught Elizabeth stealing glances at him, he asked, "What?"

She shook her head with a spoon in her mouth.

Knight blinked. Could she remember him now? His blond hair was already showing. He would love to hear her call him Kuya like before, but he knew she would only have a hard time if it happened. Elizabeth deserved to have a peaceful life. She deserved a life that he and Midnight didn't get to experience.

"So..." Elizabeth drawled as she looked at him and then at Midnight. "Twins?"

Midnight shook his head and then pointed at himself. "The little brother."

"Oh..." Elizabeth then turned to Knight, as if studying his face.

He smiled. "Just don't tell anyone about Midnight."

Midnight nodded and added, "It'll be a big trouble."

However puzzled she was, Elizabeth just agreed and let it go. "Yeah, sure. Anyways, how are you and Sweet Monday?"

"We're fine. Happy."

Elizabeth smiled, but the glint in her eyes sent him a warning. "Make sure that you two are fine. I know her. She could be smiling, and she's very, very kind and understanding and extremely patient... But if she gets fed up and angry, she will rip you into pieces. Trust me, that's scary as hell."

Knight gulped, nervous. Of course he knew that. Every person had their limits—be it kindness or patience—and SM was not an exception.

Those eyes—her eyes. He could tell when she was mad. They glowed with sharpness and fury, and it was no joke. She could stare at anyone with those eyes and make any man fear her.

"Look, Eli," Midnight said as he chuckled. "He's scared."

Knight glared at him. "I just bought you an ice cream."

But Midnight laughed it off. "You owe me five years of ice cream, Kuya."

"You should be scared," Elizabeth added before smiling sweetly, her tone serious, as if she didn't just scare him. "Sweet Monday dislikes a lot of traits, but she won't tell you as long as she can endure it because she gives people a chance to change for themselves without being told to do so."

"And what kind of attitude does she hate most?" For some reason, Knight was nervous.

Elizabeth smiled. "Possessiveness. She doesn't want to feel trapped. Uncle and Aunt raised her to be strong and independent."

Knight went pale.

Midnight laughed. "Bull's eye. He"—Night pointed at him—"is very possessive."

He gulped. "W-what if sh-she feels trapped in our relationship?"

"Then that means goodbye, Knighty-Knight," Elizabeth replied without hesitation.

"No!" Knight couldn't help but raise his voice. "She promised she won't leave me."

"She did?"

Knight paused when he noticed that Elizabeth was taken aback, as if she couldn't believe what he said. Though confused by her reaction, he nodded anyway. "Yeah..."

"Damn..." Elizabeth whispered.

Knight immediately got worried. "What?"

His younger sister looked at him intently. "Sweet Monday seldom says the word promise. If she asked you to promise something and you promised, you better keep it, or there will be hell to pay. To her and to her family, the word promise is a humongous responsibility. That when they say it, they really mean it. And if she promised that she won't leave you, then..." She shook her head and sighed. "You can count on that. SM keeps her promises. Always."

It felt as if some weight had been lifted off his chest, allowing him to breathe properly.

"Fuck..." Knight took a deep breath. "I need to be a better man for her."

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Good."

"Here, baby." It was SM, handing him a beer.

But when Elizabeth took the beer and drank it, Knight glared at his young sister. "What the hell? Don't you dare drink again."

Elizabeth raised a brow at him before proceeding to drink from the bottle again. Knight was shocked that his sister could drink like that.

SM chuckled. "Get used to it. Eli is a heavy drinker. She could drink five bottles of beer and two glasses of tequila, but she could still think clearly."

Midnight whispered in Knight's ear, "Our little sister can hold so much drink? My ego is shaking, Kuya."

Knight quickly grabbed the bottle from her. "You're not drinking. Not on my watch."

"Be thankful that this is your house, or you'll be in for some karate from me." Elizabeth pouted as she sat on a stool, shooting him a piercing glare.

Knight was surprised. What happened to her cute, cuddly, and beautiful little sister who adored him so much?

"Based on your stories, Kuya, I thought she was cute and cuddly?" Midnight whispered.

Knight stared at Elizabeth and sighed. "Well... people change. We have to accept her for who she is now."

Midnight offered him ice cream. "At least she only forgot you," he said, as if that were any consolation. "She didn't even get to see me because of our father."

Knight hooked an arm on Midnight's shoulder before messing his hair. "One day, Little Brother, you'll be able to look at everyone's eyes while introducing yourself as Midnight."

"I know." Midnight glanced at him. "I trust you, Kuya."

He smiled back, thinking that he didn't want to lose that trust. One day, Little Brother. I'll free you. You can count on that. He ruffled Midnight's hair even more before letting him go, then he approached SM, who pulled out a chair for him.

Knight chuckled before kissing her forehead. "What a gentlewoman you are, mi reina."

SM shrugged with a smile. "Who says chivalry is dead?"

Still laughing, Knight took a seat. The smile on his lips wouldn't disappear when she served him food. Sweet Monday really lived up to her name.

SM faced Midnight. "Now... you slice the cake. I made that for you, so I hope you like it."

Midnight excitedly stood from his seat, sliced the cake, and then placed the slice on a small plate, which he gave to Knight.

"But it's yours," Knight said, surprised and confused.

"Yes, and I'm giving it to you. I know how much you love cakes, and it's my way of saying thank you for accepting me into your life again."

Knight glanced down at the slice ng cake before smiling. "Then I'll gladly accept it."

Then Midnight sliced the cake once again and offered a piece to both Elizabeth at SM. "To the women who are special to me."

"Aww..." With a smile and tears welling in her eyes, SM hugged Midnight. Knight was jealous, but he stopped himself when he remembered what Elizabeth had said earlier. He didn't want SM to feel trapped in their relationship.

"Thank you for this, SM," Midnight said when they let go. "I really appreciate it. And I know this is a welcome party and not a birthday party, but I have one wish that only you can do."

SM's forehead creased. She gave him a faint smile. "If I can do it, why not?"

Midnight glanced at Knight before saying, "Take care of my big brother. He's very important to me."

Once again, SM offered him a tight hug, tears forming her eyes. "Of course, I'll take good care of him."

When they finally let go, he turned to embrace Elizabeth next, who was clearly surprised.

"Hey! What the fuck are you doing?! Are you an idiot—"

"Someday," Midnight said as he let her go, "you'll know me. Someday, Eli."

Puzzled, Eli turned to SM, who just shrugged in response.

The room became quiet for a few seconds before Jacques broke it. "Can we eat now?"

"They're still having a moment, Lord Jacques. Please wait."

The marquess frowned. "Can't they have a moment while we eat? What are we, their audience?"

Knight shot the marquess with a piercing glare.

"Sure, you can eat," Midnight told the marquess. He gave the rest of the cake to Jacques, Dimitri, and Cloud.

The marquess glared at Knight and tsked. "I can't believe you have a nice brother. Maybe his niceness was from your mother, and you took after your father."

Jacques's words struck Knight like cold shower as he froze in his seat. Even without the marquess saying so, he knew his father and him were similar. A monster.

"Like father, like son, I guess," the marquess remarked, nervously chuckling. He knew he struck a nerve.

Knight felt like shit, but when he felt SM's hand holding his, he started calming down.

SM looked at her butler with authoritative eyes. "Jacques, I will forgive you because I'm sure you don't know and you have no idea. But the next time you say something like that to my Knight and compare him to his father, I won't be so lenient. Please be sensitive enough, Marquess."

Jacques fell silent and nodded. He looked sorry.

SM's face softened before she let go of his hand to put food on the marquess's plate. "Eat, Jacq. I cooked that."

Jacques looked up at SM. "You're not mad?"

SM smiled. "Just don't do that again."

Jacques nodded before returning to his idiot self again.

Knight quietly observed the marquess. Something in his gut told him there was something off about Jacques. He knew him. He was a very bossy individual and didn't like taking orders. But with SM, he was docile, like a dog trying to get his master's approval or affection.

Something was really up with him.

Then he looked at SM. He couldn't tell if her actions a while ago were genuine kindness or a form of subtle manipulation. She was good at it.

Elizabeth broke the tension. "Trust me, you don't want Sweet Monday angry." All eyes turned to her. "I had a boyfriend—an ex-boyfriend. Whenever we'd argue, Sweet Monday would always tell me to communicate with him so I would understand his side better. We'd always get back together, you know. And then one day, my boyfriend was sent to the hospital. Of course I was fuming mad at the person who beat him, but then I found out"—she turned to SM—"that it was her, my best friend, who beat him to pulp, because she saw him cheating on me."

SM shrugged. "He wasn't even sorry for what he did to you, so I beat him up. You can't hurt him emotionally, but I'm pretty sure I can hurt him back physically."

Elizabeth roared in laughter. "Yep. He was in the hospital for weeks. His parents even wanted to file a case against her, but Uncle talked them out of it, so no charges were filed."

SM lips thinned. "He deserved it. I can tolerate any attitude but not cheating because that means he's disrespecting you as a person and as a woman."

Knight nervously looked at his girlfriend. He was pretty sure she would beat him too if he did something wrong.

My girlfriend is scary.

"What's your ex's name?" Midnight asked while eating ice cream.

"Gabriel Santos."

"Did you cry?"

She shrugged. "Of course. I was an idiot back then. It didn't cross my mind that crying for that asshole wasn't worth it."

The brothers Knight and Midnight exchanged glances, their sharp eyes meeting. They were thinking of the same thing. Whoever Gabriel Santos was, he would now be a dead meat.

Cloud cleared his throat. "Looks like someone's gonna die," he whispered while eating.

In unison, the brothers smiled and said "He deserves it."

Elizabeth was confused. "Huh?"

"They're just being weird again," SM explained. "I told you when I called that this house is full of weirdos. Except for Dimitri. He's kind of normal."

"Hey!" the four men complained at the same time, except Dimitri, who smiled.

"What?" SM looked at them one by one before setting her eyes on Knight. "Especially you.. You're weird when you want to. It's like you have an on-and-off weirdness switch, and that's the weirdest part."

Knight didn't say anything. He knew she was right.

Elizabeth laughed as she looked at Knight. "Sorry, you didn't say anything even though you wanted to answer."

Midnight chuckled. "He's scared of SM."

"He should be."

"I know, right?"

Midnight and Elizabeth laughed. Knight looked at his siblings flatly before looking at SM, asking for assistance. "Look, baby, they're ganging up on me."

SM just smiled and continued eating.

Knight just blew a loud breath and continued eating. His siblings were bullies.

"Thanks for the meatballs, SM." Midnight was smiling from ear to ear at SM. "They were delicious."

SM smiled back. "Welcome."

Knight pointed at himself. "Don't I get a thanks? I told Sweet Monday about your favorites."

Midnight gestured his hand to SM. "She's still the one who cooked."

"Oh." Knight raised his both brows. "You want to switch now? You want SM to be your sibling now?"

Midnight frowned at him. "Well, she will be my big sister once you marry her, right?"

Knight paused. He was trying to stop the smile that was forming on his lips. Fuck! I'm such a pussy, he thought.

When Elizabeth noticed that Knight wasn't able to answer, she laughed so hard. "Such a pussy."

His beloved sister just called him a pussy. His lips thinned. What happened to my adorable little sister?

SM couldn't help but chuckle, but she tried to contain it when Knight glared at her. But everyone suddenly burst into laughter, causing him to cast a sharp look at everyone.

Still chuckling to herself, SM left the table. When she came back, she brought a chocolate mousse cake for him, topped with the message For My Lord and My Knight.

Knight immediately covered his flushed face with both hands to hide it from everyone present in the room. But SM saw it and laughed. After putting down the cake on the table, in front of him, she kissed him on the forehead.

"Of course, will I forget you?" SM said.

He uncovered his face and looked up at Sweet Monday, who was standing on his side. "Thank you."

SM kissed his cheeks before going back to her seat. Knight, on the other hand, started slicing the cake and gave a piece to every person in the room.

"Eat it," he told Midnight when he gave him a slice. "That's my favorite."

"I know," Midnight said with a smile before eating.

Knight didn't like sharing his cakes, but this was different. It was a "welcome home" party for Midnight. Tonight was not for him but for his little brother, who deserved attention from everyone in the room.

They dined together and had so much fun. There were jokes, sarcastic but funny remarks—just pure laughter. After that, they all moved to the recreational area and played. Jacques, Midnight, and Elizabeth played darts, while Dimitri and Cloud played billiards. Knight sat on the sofa with SM next to him, their hands entwined as they watched others play.

"What the fuck?!" Midnight cussed when Elizabeth hit the bull's eye.

Elizabeth grinned. "Boo, yeah! Take that, Midnight!" Elizabeth flashed a rock 'n' roll sign, making Jacques laugh. "I won, jackasses!"

Midnight just stared at her in disbelief. "How the hell did it happen?"

"Always the center," Jacques said.

"How did you get so good at playing darts?"

Elizabeth grinned at Midnight before putting her hands on her hips. "Because we women rock, you motherfuckers."

The two men playing with her fell silent.

"What happened to my adorable little sister?" Knight murmured, which SM heard.

SM laughed. "She grew and became a strong, independent woman."

That made him smile. "Yeah, I can see that."

"How the fuck did you make the ball curve?" It was Dimitri in disbelief during Cloud's turn.

Cloud just smiled calmly and continued playing without answering Dimitri.

Knight felt an overwhelming joy in his heart as he watched the people around him having fun, especially his siblings. This was just a dream before... A dream that came true.

He then turned to SM, who rested her chin on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Yes, baby?" he asked.

She smiled softly at him. "I love you."

He froze. His heart hammered inside his chest, but he still managed to say it back while acting cool, as if her words did not shake the life out of him. "Yo también te amo, mi reina."

SM chuckled. "Baby, you're not breathing."

"Give me a couple of seconds. I'm trying to act cool."

SM laughed. "You're such an adorable weirdo."

"See! You've insulted me, but I still love you. Why is that?" he asked her in disbelief.

"Because I'm awesome, why else?"

That made him chuckle before his face turned serious. "Maybe because I love you so much."

"I love you so much, Knight," SM said, her voice gentle but serious. "I've been asking myself lately why you haven't told me that you love me when it clearly shows."

Knight laughed. "Such confidence. I envy you."

SM playfully shook her head before showering his cheeks with kisses.

Knight was in the middle of kissing her back when the door to the recreational room opened. Instantly, his heart dropped, and fear consumed him—fear for every person inside that room—when he saw who entered the room.

"Father..." he whispered, immediately standing from his seat.

His father calmly walked into the room, while Cloud, Dimitri, and Midnight froze in their places. He might look calm, but Knight could feel the raging anger radiating throughout his body. He was mad. Knight could already taste the lashes he'd receive for this.

The room fell silent, but Knight could clearly hear his heartbeat when his father's cold eyes settled on SM, whose hand tight held his.

"So, this is what Knight has been up to—sleeping with a harlot," his father said.

Knight opened his mouth to defend SM, but the lady spoke first, even offering the unwanted visitor a smile. "I'm not a harlot, sir. I have my credentials to prove that to you."

"You insolent woman!"

"I'm not insolent, sir, you are." Gone was the smile on SM's lips, but she bravely faced his father eye to eye. "You insulted me first, sir. And I don't take insults to my womanhood lightly. My parents raised me as a decent woman. Who are you to say that I'm not?"

His father's jaw clenched. He instantly grabbed the gun from Orlando's holster and pointed it to SM. Knight automatically moved to use his body to shield Sweet Monday.

"Move, Knight!" his father hissed. "Don't you dare defy me!"

But Knight held his ground. "No. I won't let you hurt her."

His father gave him a mocking laugh. "You will be punished severely for this."

"I accept."

SM tightened her grip on his hand. "Please... Knight, don't accept it."

"You won't accept it?" his father turned to Midnight. "Should Midnight accept it then?"

"No! I accept, damn it! I will accept anything!" he quickly answered, only getting strength from SM's arms hugging his waist from behind.

"I'm here," she whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."

Knight was about to bargain with his father when they all heard a gun cock from the door. A man with golden eyes pressed the gun's barrel on the back of his father's head and then another on Orlando's temple, shocking them all.

Especially Knight. Orlando was a trained warrior, but he didn't even hear the man coming until the man was already there.

"No one points a gun at my princesa, you motherfuckers," said the newcomer.

Before anyone could speak, from behind him, Sweet Monday whispered—

"Dad..."