The morning light was soft, yet Meilin woke with a pounding in her chest.
Her dreams had been strange again flashes of her past life, the pain, the betrayal… and him.
Lu Chen.
The man she once thought she loved.
The man who had watched her world burn without lifting a hand.
She sat up, pressing a trembling hand against her heart. Why now… why am I dreaming of him again?
Downstairs, laughter drifted from the dining room Xiaoya's giggles and Jiang Rui's deep, patient voice.
The sound was almost enough to calm her… until her phone buzzed.
A message.
From an unknown number.
Long time no see, Meilin. Still alive
Her breath caught.
The cup in her hand slipped and shattered on the floor.
She froze, staring at the message as her reflection in the dark window trembled like rippling water. For a split second, the reflection wasn't hers. It was his — smiling cruelly.
No… she whispered, backing away. "You shouldn't exist anymore. You ruined everything.
Just then, Jiang Rui appeared in the doorway, frowning.
"Meilin? What's wrong?
She hid her phone behind her back. N-Nothing. I just… broke a cup.
He bent down to help her, his hand brushing hers. The warmth of his touch made her eyes sting with tears she couldn't explain.
Be careful,he murmured. You look pale.
She forced a shaky smile. I'm fine.
But when he left the room, Meilin's phone buzzed again.
You left me once, Meilin. Don't think death can keep me away.
Her heart raced.
The words glowed on her screen like a curse and behind her, in the glass cabinet, her reflection smiled again.
But this time, it wasn't her face at all.
It was Lu Chen's.