Kurt and I are locked in a tight embrace, the world outside the file room feeling distant and irrelevant. His arms are strong around me, and I can feel the tremors of his apology in every breath he takes. The moment feels suspended in time, a fragile bubble of relief and regret.

But then, the door to the file room swings open with a creak, and Brock steps in, his eyes widening as he takes in the scene before him. The sound of the door pulling shut breaks the spell, and Kurt and I instantly pull apart, our faces flushed and our breaths uneven.

Brock's gaze darts between us, his expression shifting from surprise to a deep, knowing concern. He takes a step forward, his eyes locking onto mine, and I can see the understanding in his eyes—the realization of what he just walked in on.

"Everything okay in here?" Brock's voice is gruff but not unkind, though there's an edge of something unspoken.

I straighten, trying to regain my composure, but the heat in my cheeks betrays me. "Yeah, we're fine. Kurt was just getting a file."

Brock's gaze flicks to Kurt, who looks equally disheveled and guilty. "Kurt, you should probably get going," Brock says, his tone brooking no argument.

Kurt nods, giving me one last, lingering look before he turns to leave. His hand brushes mine one last time, a touch that speaks volumes in its brevity. He walks out, leaving me alone with Brock.

The silence that follows is heavy, filled with the weight of unspoken words. Brock's eyes are still on me, searching for the right thing to say. His gaze is filled with a mix of sympathy and frustration.

"I didn't mean to intrude," Brock finally says, his voice softer now. "I saw the two of you..." He looks at me, at my tear stained face, his expression one of cautious curiosity. "What's up, kid?"

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "You should know... Kurt is my brother."

Brock's eyes widen in recognition, and a flicker of realization crosses his face. "Your brother?"

I nod, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. "Yes. Kind of. My birth name is Katherine Bunker. I've taken my mother's maiden name. When I was two, my mother died, and my father married Kurt's mother. I was raised with him, and our other brother, Calvin. Kurt's been a part of my life for a long time, and... well, it's complicated."

Brock's expression shifts to one of deeper understanding. "So that's why—"

"Yeah," I cut him off, nodding. "I've been trying to reconcile with him. It's difficult. He's done things that are unforgivable, and I'm struggling with whether or not I can ever forgive him."

Brock's gaze softens, and he takes a step closer, his voice low and gentle. "I had no idea. I guess that makes what happened earlier... even more complicated."

I nod, tears welling up in my eyes again. "I don't know how to handle it all. He's changed, but I can't forget what he did. I just—I need to figure out how to deal with it."

Brock places a comforting hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. Take your time. And if you need help or someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

His kindness is a balm to my frayed nerves. I give him a grateful smile, a tear slipping down my cheek. "Thank you, Brock. That means a lot."

Brock gives a supportive nod before turning and heading out the door. I watch him leave, feeling a sense of both relief and trepidation. The truth is out now, and while it's one step closer to facing my reality, it also opens up a new layer of complexity in my already tangled life.

I return to the desk, the weight of everything still pressing heavily on me. Kurt's presence, my complicated relationship with him, and the aftermath of the attack—all of it is a lot to process. But for now, I take solace in Brock's understanding and the small, but significant step towards navigating the fractured pieces of my life.