Moonlight filtered through the thin curtains of Damien's penthouse bedroom, casting soft silver over the sheets. Liyana lay beneath the duvet, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. Her hair fanned across the pillow, and her body still carried the quiet tremors of the past few days.
Beside her, Damien leaned on his elbow, watching her in silence. The distance between them on the bed was narrow—but heavy with unspoken memories.
"You're not sleeping," he said softly.
Liyana turned her head slightly. "Neither are you."
A pause.
Damien exhaled. "Do you remember the first time you looked at me like I wasn't a brother figure?"
She blinked, caught off guard.
"It was at my grandfather's spring gala," he continued, eyes distant now, "You wore that white silk dress. I didn't recognize you at first. You were… stunning. Poised. Cold. You barely spoke to anyone."
"I was trying to prove something," she murmured.
"To me?" he asked.
"…To myself."
He was silent.
"I wanted you to see me," she admitted, voice fragile in the night. "Not the little girl following you around. Not a family friend's daughter. Just me."
Damien's throat bobbed. "I did see you. That night, I couldn't stop staring. But I convinced myself it was wrong. That I had no right."
"You kissed me."
"In your office," he whispered, shame flickering in his tone. "I crossed a line I buried for years. And I didn't regret it for a second."
The air between them tightened.
"I was scared," she admitted. "Not of you. But of how much I wanted that kiss. How much I wanted you."
His hand reached out slowly, brushing against hers under the covers.
"You're not scared now?"
"I'm terrified," she whispered. "But not of you. Of what I feel when you look at me like that."
Damien inched closer, their foreheads brushing.
No kiss. No rush.
Just breath shared in the dark.
And slowly, they drifted to sleep—he facing her, she curled into his chest. For the first time in years, the space between their hearts wasn't filled with silence, but understanding.
The Xu estate was lit with lanterns and golden lights, echoing old traditions in the backdrop of modern luxury.
Liyana arrived with Damien beside her, both dressed in coordinated dark hues. Their appearance together sent murmurs through the elders—but no one dared question them.
Her mother greeted them at the door, eyes sweeping over their clasped hands. "Liyana, you look well."
"I'm fine, Mama," she said with a gentle smile.
Her grandfather approached Damien. "I assume you'll keep her safe this time."
Damien bowed slightly. "With my life, sir."
The dinner flowed with subtle tension and familial probing, but Liyana remained poised. When asked about her recovery, she answered briefly. When asked about Damien, she answered truthfully.
"He came for me," she said, locking eyes with Damien. "And I chose to stay with him."
There were no objections after that.
The soft click of high heels echoed through Celeste's flagship branch—Westward Plaza.
Liyana stood near the runway platform as her team buzzed around with final adjustments. The interiors gleamed in minimalist gold and ivory, fresh flowers adorning each marble corner. This wasn't just a branch.
It was a statement.
A statement that Liyana Xu was back—and stronger than ever.
Mira followed her closely, holding the event itinerary. "The launch party is confirmed. Media coverage starts at seven, and—"
"Is the Lu Group representative confirmed?" Liyana asked, already knowing the answer.
Mira smirked. "Yes. Mr. Damien Lu himself."
Liyana nodded, face calm—but inside, a ripple stirred.
She hadn't seen Damien in person since the night at his penthouse. Their texts had been steady. Calls frequent. But nothing face-to-face.
Not until now.
Back at Lu Group headquarters, Damien adjusted his cufflinks while Gao Wei handed him the invite card.
"She's launching in three days," Gao said. "And yes, she requested you personally."
Damien didn't respond immediately. He turned the card in his hand, reading her signature embossed at the bottom.
Celeste: A New Era Begins.
He smiled.
And whispered to himself, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."