Kaye was baking cookies in the kitchen when Mikhail came in and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She smiled and glanced at him, pausing what she was doing.
"You're home early?" she asked.
"The deal was settled sooner than expected, so I came home right away to be with you," Mikhail replied.
For so many years, her husbands' affection and love for her had never changed. Seeing all the men in her life become successful in this modern world made her incredibly happy.
Mikhail was the boss of the mafia family. Isaac, the underboss, managed and assisted his brother in their businesses. Raon had become the CEO of a large company. Haru was now an international model. Tristan served as the director of the academy, while Kurtis was the director of a major hospital. Kyle had become a top lawyer and owned his own law firm. Shin was also a CEO, building connections with other businesses that supported the family's operations in the mafia world.
Ivan had returned to music and was once again gaining fame across Europe. Troy's paintings were being sold and exported to different countries. William and Warren held high positions within the mafia family, training members, managing crews, and overseeing territories. Timothy was now a congressman.
Each of their professions, in one way or another, was connected to the family's true business.
Their various companies, the academy, the hospital, international exports, business deals, legal work, fame, and political influence—all of it was connected. Together, they formed a powerful network that protected and strengthened the family.
Everything ran smoothly and safely. Until now, no one outside the family knew about their real business. And whenever something threatened to expose them, they acted quickly and cleaned it up before anyone could discover the truth.
"How's Matias?" Kaye asked.
"He's doing great in his training," Mikhail said. "He's smart, so I'm sure that soon he'll be able to help manage the family and assist his younger brother."
Matias was now living in a new body.
After investigating the identity of the body's former owner, they discovered that the man had no family. He had lived completely alone, drifting from one temporary job to another. Sometimes he worked in construction, sometimes he collected garbage, and other times he survived by fishing. When there was no work available, he would end up begging on the streets just to eat.
He had never finished school.
Despite his difficult life, the man had a captivating appearance that often drew admiration from people on the streets. Yet no establishments were willing to hire him because of his background and lack of education.
Over time, the hardships of his life slowly pushed him toward despair.
On the day the earthquake struck—the same moment Kaye and the others returned to the modern world—the man climbed onto a bridge and decided to end his life.
As the ground violently shook, he fell.
His head struck the bridge's metal railing. The impact killed him instantly, and his body plunged into the river below.
Several people witnessed the fall and rushed to rescue him. He was quickly brought to the hospital, but upon arrival the doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Then something impossible happened.
Moments later, the body suddenly began to breathe again.
That was the moment Matias finally took over the body.
"I noticed Maikell seems wary of his older brother," Kaye said worriedly.
"That's because he sees him as a rival for the position," Isaac said as he suddenly appeared.
He leaned down and kissed Kaye on the cheek before joining their conversation.
"It's the same as in the Serolf Empire, where brothers compete for the throne," Isaac continued. "Before, Maikell was confident because he was the only heir of Mikhail—the future boss of the Fuentebella Family. But now that Matias, the older brother, has returned, it makes him uneasy. He probably thinks Matias might also want the position."
Isaac shrugged lightly.
"It's normal for siblings to feel that way. After all, Matias is the eldest. He has more right to the position—unless he decides he doesn't want it."
Kaye grew even more worried. She looked at Mikhail and gently held his arm.
"Hubby, please talk to Maikell. Explain it to him so he won't misunderstand. I don't want him and Matias to end up in conflict."
"Don't worry, wifey," Mikhail said softly as he kissed her forehead. "I'll handle it."
"Are the cookies done? I'm starving," Isaac suddenly said, wrapping his arms around Kaye. "I'm exhausted because of Mikhail, and I missed your cooking so much."
Kaye laughed softly and brushed his hair away from his face.
"Almost done. Why don't you two go change your clothes while I prepare your snacks?"
The two men smiled at her. Before heading upstairs, both of them leaned down and kissed her.
After the two men left, Kaye continued preparing the cookies. A few moments later, TJ entered the kitchen and went straight to the refrigerator to grab a bottle of cold water.
"You didn't accompany your father?" she asked.
"He has a VIP meeting with an official," TJ replied as he sat on one of the stools near his mother.
"Wait for a moment. The cookies are almost done," Kaye said as she opened the oven.
TJ quietly watched his mother. As he did, he remembered the portrait he had seen in the abandoned mansion in the Serolf Empire—the portrait of the fallen Duke who looked exactly like his father.
"Mom…" he began.
"Hm?" Kaye replied absentmindedly, still focused on the cookies.
"Is Dad also from the Serolf Empire?" he asked.
Kaye chuckled as she placed the tray of freshly baked cookies on the kitchen table.
"No. I met him here in our world."
TJ nodded slowly.
"But… have you ever met someone who looked like him while you were in the Empire?" he asked again.
Kaye frowned slightly and turned to look at him.
"Why are you asking?"
"Nothing. I'm just curious," TJ said. "My uncles have identical faces in this world and in the Serolf Empire. You do too, Mom. So I thought maybe Dad might have one there as well."
Kaye lightly tapped his shoulder.
"No, Eros. Your dad is from this world."
TJ simply nodded.
Even now, his mother still called him by his original name.
He wanted to say more, but he chose to remain silent. Mentioning what he had seen in the Empire might only confuse her.
His mother firmly believed that his father was from this world. But deep inside, TJ felt that something didn't quite add up.
Something about it felt… strange.
He needed to talk to his father about it and confirm whether his suspicion was right.
As Kaye arranged the cookies on a plate, her mind drifted back to the memories she had in the Serolf Empire. She remembered the time she met Gilmesh—the evil man who looked exactly like Timothy.
But she quickly shook her head.
It was impossible.
Timothy was from this world, and he knew nothing about the Serolf Empire. She had seen the genuine shock on his face when he first arrived in the empire. His reaction had been too real to be an act.
Besides, Gilmesh was already dead in the Empire.
Jinny, her loyal personal maid in the Empire, had also died. In this world, Kaye had met someone who looked exactly like her—a woman named Rubie.
However, Rubie knew nothing about the Empire. She had no knowledge of that world. She simply shared the same face.
Because of that, she was certain Timothy was neither Gilmesh's reincarnation nor someone who had transmigrated from that world.
He was just like Rubie—someone who belonged to this world, not the Empire. That was the truth Kaye chose to believe.
.
.
.
"Are you sure you don't want me to pick you up?"
Thane's voice came from the other line. Jinny had stepped out earlier and was currently on the phone with her brother.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me," she replied. "I'm with my friends. I can get home safely."
"Alright. But if anything happens, call me immediately. Understand?"
"Aye aye!" she said cheerfully.
Thane hung up, and Jinny slipped her phone back into her bag.
She lifted her gaze and stared at the entrance of a small hotel in front of her. Nervously, she glanced to her left and right, checking if anyone familiar was passing by. After making sure no one she knew was nearby, she quickly walked inside.
Inside the hotel room, she saw Ran sitting on the bed, bandages wrapped around his chest.
"W-What happened to you?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
"I'm fine," Ran replied calmly. "The wound isn't that deep."
He gestured toward the bed. "Come sit beside me."
Jinny placed her bag on the side table and sat down next to him. Ran immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace as he closed his eyes.
"You should be more careful next time," she said softly.
"I'm always careful," he whispered.
Ever since the night they had shared that moment of intimacy, Ran had grown close to her again—but only in secret.
Inside the mansion, they acted as if they didn't care about each other. They ignored one another completely, pretending to be distant. But whenever they were outside, they would secretly meet like this.
"Ran…" Jinny called quietly.
"Hm?" he responded.
"D-Do you think… this is right?" she asked hesitantly.
Ran opened his eyes and looked at her. He gently lifted her chin so she would face him.
"Jin… there's nothing wrong with what we're doing," he said softly.
"B-But—"
Her words were cut off when Ran pressed his index finger gently against her lips.
"Shh… I know you're confused," he murmured. "We ignore each other when everyone is around, and we only see each other in secret. But I don't have a choice."
He looked at her seriously.
"I like you, Jin. But I'm afraid Dad will punish us if he finds out. And Mom will be upset." His voice softened. "Do you want Mom to be upset?"
Jinny quickly shook her head.
Ran smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. I'm just waiting for the right time," he said. "Just trust me, okay?"
Jinny slowly nodded.
Ran said he liked her, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
He had never asked to court her.
But they were seeing each other in secret and having intimate moments.
Because of that, she didn't truly know what their relationship was.
She felt confused and emotionally vulnerable, forced to rely only on trust.
Part of her wanted to avoid him… to ignore him completely.
But whenever she was with Ran, she felt safe.
Deep inside, she could feel herself slowly falling for him.
So she decided she would wait.
Wait until the day he finally confessed his true feelings—and told everyone about them.