That night, the house was silent too silent.
The soft hum of the rain had stopped, leaving behind only the faint ticking of the clock and the whisper of the wind brushing against the curtains.
Meilin stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. The woman who looked back seemed familiar… yet not entirely the same.
Her eyes, once cold and lifeless, now shimmered with something fragile fear. And guilt.
Why did I come back? she murmured.
Her fingers brushed the edge of the mirror. For a brief second, the glass rippled, and another reflection flickered pale, hollow, and broken. The image of the woman she used to be.
She stumbled back, gasping. "No… that's not me anymore.
A faint sound came from behind the door creaked open. Jiang Rui stood there, his expression unreadable, a towel draped around his neck from his shower.
You're still awake?
Meilin quickly composed herself. I… couldn't sleep.
He walked closer, his reflection joining hers in the mirror. "You've been different lately.
Her pulse quickened. Different?
He nodded slowly. You look at me like you used to… before everything.
She bit her lip, words trapped in her throat. If I told you I died… would you believe me?
Instead, she forced a small smile. Maybe I finally realized what matters.
Jiang Rui studied her for a long moment. His gaze softened just slightly a flicker of the man who once held her through sleepless nights.
If that's true, he said quietly, don't make me regret believing it again.