I didn't leave the room the next day.
Not once.
It felt like the walls of this mansion were slowly closing in, and even though I had barely arrived, the drama never left me alone. Still, I couldn't shake off Vivianne's words—they echoed in my mind like a haunting melody.
For the first time in my life, I wanted to know.
I needed to know.
Who am I?
Why has the world been so cruel to me?
Why does chaos follow me no matter what I choose, no matter what I do? It's like it's sewn into my skin, stitched into my fate.
And if Luthor wanted to brush it all off like it meant nothing, then he must know something too. From the moment I met him, I sensed it—he was hiding something.
Why would he marry me?
Why would he go out of his way to save someone like me?
No. It couldn't just be kindness. Not with everything going on around us.
Jace Luthor, He didn't seem like a man who would care about a casualty. He had the aura of power and secrets, not mercy.
I didn't know where to begin, didn't even know how to search for answers. A part of me wanted to give up. Another part wanted to run.
But where would I go? I had no home, no family, no safety net. I wasn't normal. I had nothing.
Still… from somewhere deep inside, I summoned a courage I didn't know I had.
Knock. Knock.
"Ma'am? Are you in there?" a voice called firmly from the other side of the door.
"Yes. Who is it?" I responded, startled.
"It's Clora," she answered.
Clora? What was she doing here?
I opened the door, and my breath caught in my throat.
A long trail of covered dishes stretched behind her. The aroma hit me instantly—lavish, warm, and delicious.
"Ma'am, you haven't come out all day. I thought you'd be hungry," she said softly.
I blinked. "Wow. I must've lost track of time… Thank you. This is very thoughtful."
She smiled and set everything down on the table. I sat on the edge of my bed and began to eat, my mind still spinning.
"Ma'am, what's troubling you?" Clora asked, watching me closely.
How did she know?
"Why do you ask?" I replied carefully.
"You look pale. Like you've been worrying."
It was strange—comforting, even—to feel genuine concern. Since Kas died, no one had asked me how I was. Maybe Clora's presence was more than a coincidence.
"Clora," I said hesitantly, "if you wanted to hide something in this mansion—something important—where would you put it? Or if you were looking for something hidden, where would you start?"
Her brows furrowed. "I don't really know where to hide things here. But if I were looking for secrets, I'd start in the library. People always forget how much gets buried in books."
She looked curious, maybe even suspicious. "What are you trying to hide… or find?"
"Nothing," I said quickly. "Just curious."
When she left, I didn't waste a second. With help from a guard, I made my way to the mansion's library.
It was grand and silent. Shelf after shelf towered around me, thick with dust and forgotten knowledge. I ran my fingers along spines, reading titles, flipping pages, losing track of time.
Then I found it.
A book that didn't look like it belonged. It was old, dusty, and tucked high up on the shelf. The title was etched in faded red ink:
"Remnant of Alpha's Blood."
My heart skipped. I didn't know why—but something about it felt personal. Important.
I wiped off the dust and just as I reached to open it—
Knock.
The door creaked slightly—it had already been ajar. Why knock?
I turned slowly and froze.
Luthor stood at the door.
He looked devastating as always—tired, but somehow more human. His jacket was slung over his arm, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and his dark gaze locked on me.
My pulse quickened.
I thought I was in trouble. Maybe I wasn't supposed to be here. I backed away slightly, heart pounding, breath short.
He didn't say a word.
He walked in slowly, his steps controlled and deliberate. Then, without a word, he reached forward and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
I blinked, too stunned to move.
His fingers lingered for a moment.
He stepped closer. I stepped back.
Closer again.
Until my back hit a bookshelf.
He placed both hands on either side of me, leaning in just enough for his voice to drop into a whisper.
"So... you like to read, huh?"
"I—"
"Shhh…" His finger brushed against my lips.
My breath caught.
His body was close—too close. I could feel his warmth, his scent. His crimson eyes locked with mine, intense and unreadable.
I froze.
My mind screamed, but my body stood still.
He leaned in—
My eyes closed
And then…