The moonlight seeped into the luxurious guest room of the Lu Mansion, casting a silver glow over the delicate silk sheets that draped Liyana's form. She lay still, her eyes wide open as she stared at the intricately carved ceiling above.
The house was quiet now. Everyone had gone to sleep, including Meilin and Yuhan, who had insisted on checking on her three times before finally retiring to their rooms.
Liyana wasn't used to this kind of affection.
The way Meilin had gently tucked a blanket around her.The way Yuhan had grumbled about staying outside her door all night.She was independent. Fierce. Alone by choice.
But tonight... she didn't want to be alone.
Her heart ached—not from fear, but from something far more dangerous.
Longing.
Longing for the one person who had caused her so much confusion. Who tore down every defense she'd built with a single gaze.
Damien.
Her fingers subconsciously traced the spot where his jacket had rested on her shoulders earlier. It still carried his scent—clean, warm, and faintly masculine.
And that memory…
His bloodied knuckles.His breathless, desperate voice whispering, "Let's go home."His touch—so gentle, so reverent.
Was it possible to be completely safe in the arms of a man who had once hurt you—and still crave more of that same touch?
She didn't know when she'd closed her eyes, but she didn't sleep.
Elsewhere in the city, Damien stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse, bathed in darkness and the glow of city lights. A glass of whiskey sat untouched on the table beside him, forgotten.
His shirt was unbuttoned, sleeves rolled to his forearms, revealing bruised knuckles from the warehouse fight. The pain had dulled. But the turmoil inside him hadn't.
He had almost lost her.
He replayed every second—Liyana's pale face when he found her, the fear in her eyes, and the way she had looked at him after it was all over.
Not with hatred.Not even with anger.But with... trust.
He didn't deserve it.
He clenched his jaw and leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the cool glass.
You're a monster, he told himself. And yet… she reached for you.
His phone buzzed quietly beside the glass.
A message from Gao Wei.
"All of Lin Hao's contacts are being tracked. Our people are on alert."
Damien didn't respond. He didn't care about Lin Hao right now.
He cared about her.
And maybe—just maybe—it was time he stopped lying to himself.
The next morning came with the sound of loud knocking and Yuhan's voice booming from behind her door.
"LIYANA-JIE! Breakfast! You better get up, or Meilin's gonna feed me rabbit food again!"
Liyana chuckled under her breath and finally slipped out of bed.
When she walked downstairs, still dressed in a soft cream loungewear set Meilin had picked out for her, she was ambushed by the smell of freshly cooked dumplings and laughter echoing from the kitchen.
"Good morning!" Meilin greeted, handing her a warm cup of soy milk. "You slept well?"
"Better than I expected," Liyana admitted.
"Then eat up. You'll need your strength—Yuhan dragged out the board games."
"I HEARD THAT!" Yuhan shouted from the living room. "And I'm going to destroy you all in Monopoly!"
Liyana laughed softly. The kind of laugh she hadn't made in years.
And for a while—just a little while—it felt like she wasn't Liyana Xu, the ruthless CEO.She was just Liyana, the girl loved by a family who treated her like their own.
Later that afternoon, just as Meilin was helping Liyana plan a charity collaboration, the sound of approaching heels echoed through the hall.
Meilin looked up. "She's here."
Liyana turned, and her breath caught.
Ruoxi.
Dressed in a powder-blue dress, elegant and confident, she walked toward them with a smile on her lips and warmth in her eyes.
"Sorry to intrude. I thought I'd come deliver the signed Westward Plaza contracts personally," she said, lifting the sleek black folder in her hand.
Meilin immediately jumped up. "Ruoxi-jie!"
The two hugged briefly before Ruoxi's gaze shifted to Liyana.
Their eyes met—and unlike before, there was no tension. No misunderstanding.
Just understanding. And maybe... even friendship.
Ruoxi extended her hand. "It's nice to finally meet you properly, Liyana."
Liyana smiled and took it. "Likewise."