Unprofessional.

Ungrateful.

Julian was controlling them.

The rumors appeared online.

Marcus saw them.

"He says we're being exploited."

Malcolm frowned.

"That's ridiculous."

Julian looked at the screen.

"Don't respond."

"But it's a lie."

"I know."

"Then why stay quiet?"

"Because some arguments are traps."

The twins listened.

But silence was difficult.

People began questioning them publicly.

One interviewer asked,

"Are you being controlled by Julian?"

Marcus answered,

"No."

"Then why does he handle everything?"

"Because we don't know the industry."

The clip went viral.

Victor's narrative weakened.

Then something unexpected happened.

A major record label offered the twins an audition.

Julian warned them.

"An audition isn't a contract."

"We know."

"Good."

They went.

The label executives were impressed.

The twins performed three songs.

When they finished, the room stood.

One executive smiled.

"We want you."

Marcus looked at Malcolm.

Julian remained cautious.

The executive slid a document across the table.

"We can make this official."

Julian read it.

The terms were better than Victor's.

But still complicated.

The twins would need legal representation.

They needed independent financial advice.

They needed time.

"We'll review it," Julian said.

The executive frowned.

"Why not sign today?"

"Because they're not signing anything today."

The twins agreed.

That evening, they met with an attorney named Rebecca Shaw.

She explained everything in simple language.

Ownership.

Royalties.

Publishing.

Performance rights.

Creative control.

The twins listened carefully.

Marcus asked,

"Can we say no?"

Rebecca smiled.

"Yes."

Malcolm asked,

"Can we leave?"

"Yes."

"Can they take our songs?"

"Not if the contract is written properly."

The twins looked relieved.

For the first time, they realized they weren't helpless.

They could make decisions.

Their past had taught them to accept whatever was offered.

Their future required them to question it.

They eventually signed a carefully negotiated agreement.

Not because someone told them it was perfect.

Because they understood it.

Their first official single was released three months later.

It exploded.

Radio stations played it.

People shared it.

The song reached the top of several streaming charts.

The twins were suddenly everywhere.

But they refused to forget where they came from.

Their first major payment went toward a small house.

Not a mansion.

A modest home with a backyard.

Marcus stood in the doorway.

"We own this?"

Malcolm laughed.

"Technically the bank owns part of it."

Marcus threw a pillow at him.

They laughed.

Julian stood outside.

He watched them run through the rooms.

For a moment, he thought of his sister.

She would have loved this.

Then his phone rang.

It was Victor.

"I want to talk."

Julian stepped outside.

"About what?"

"You think you've won."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Victor lowered his voice.

"You took something that should have been mine."

"The twins aren't property."

Victor laughed.

"You'll learn."

The call ended.

Julian stared at the phone.

He knew Victor was dangerous in a different way.

Not physically.

Financially.

Reputationally.

He could create problems without ever appearing near them.

Julian warned the twins.

"We need to be careful."

Marcus nodded.

"We are."

But Malcolm asked,

"How long do we have to be afraid?"

Julian looked at him.

"You shouldn't have to be afraid."

"Then let's stop being afraid."

Julian smiled.

That was the first moment he realized something.

The boys weren't the frightened teenagers he had met in the restaurant.

They were becoming adults.

And they were learning that their voices were not merely something that could save them from hunger.