Morning Light
Liu stirred beneath the heavy velvet sheets, her lashes fluttering open to the soft golden hue of morning sunlight. The scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, warm and familiar.
She blinked once. Then again.
This wasn't her room.
Her heart skipped.
She was nestled against a firm chest, her back pressed into warmth, an arm draped protectively around her waist. The slow, steady rhythm of breathing tickled her neck.
> "No. No, no, no…"
She turned her head slightly—and there he was.
Xia.
Still asleep. His face relaxed, his usual sharpness softened by slumber. No smirk. No teasing. Just… peace.
She gasped softly, her cheeks flushing crimson. Her body tensed, but she didn't move. Not yet.
> "This wasn't part of the deal."
The deal was simple: she'd offer companionship, care, and eventually an heir. In return, he'd open doors for her—education, freedom, a future.
No strings. No feelings.
But now, her heart was thudding in her chest like a traitor. Her skin still remembered his touch. Her lips still tingled from his kisses.
> "Love? No. That's not what this is. It can't be."
She closed her eyes, took a breath, and gently peeled his arm from around her waist.
---
The Tease
Xia stirred, his eyes fluttering open. For once, they weren't cold or calculating. They were soft. Curious. Almost… tender.
> Xia (groggy): "Morning."
> Liu (avoiding his gaze): "Morning. I need to get ready. I have school."
She stood, adjusting her robe, trying to ignore the way his gaze followed her every movement.
> Xia (smirking): "You know… your ass is softer than I expected. And your blossoms—"
> Liu (spinning around, blushing furiously): "Pervert! You should be praying to walk again, or I'll leave you for a man who can actually satisfy me."
Xia laughed, low and rich.
> Xia: "Oh? So you weren't satisfied?"
Liu froze.
> "Damn it."
> Liu (clearing her throat): "I—I didn't say that. You're twisting my words, you smug, overgrown—"
> Xia (grinning): "You're blushing again."
> Liu (grumbling): "I'm leaving."
She stormed out, her face burning, her heart racing.
> "This is getting out of hand."
---
Breakfast at the Uhi Estate
The dining room was bathed in warm light, the long table set with silverware and porcelain. Min sat at one end, scrolling through her phone. Don sat across from her, sipping coffee, his expression unreadable.
Xia rolled in, dressed in a crisp black shirt and slacks, his hair still damp from his morning routine.
> Xia (casually): "Morning."
> Min (without looking up): "Mm."
> Don: "You look… chipper."
> Xia (smirking): "Slept well."
Don's jaw tightened.
They ate in silence for a few moments before Xia spoke again.
> Xia: "Don, when are you getting married?"
Don blinked.
> Don: "What?"
> Xia: "You're 22. You've got money, looks, a family name. What's stopping you?"
> Don (sighing): "I'm not ready."
> Xia: "You're not getting any younger."
> Don (smirking): "At least I'm not 24 marrying 21."
Min snorted.
Xia chuckled, unfazed.
> Xia: "What can I say? She's soft in all the right places. Defiant. Responsible. Everything I need."
Don's grip on his fork tightened.
> "He's doing this on purpose."
> "And it's working."
---
At the Academy: Library Whispers
After a grueling morning of lectures, Liu and Nari found refuge in the library. They sat at a corner table, surrounded by towering shelves and the scent of old books.
Nari flipped through her notes, groaning.
> Nari: "If I have to memorize one more enzyme pathway, I'm going to scream."
> Liu (smiling): "You'll survive. Barely."
> Nari: "Easy for you to say, Miss Top Score."
Liu rolled her eyes, sipping water.
> Nari (curious): "Hey… that guy who dropped you off last week. The tall one with the attitude. Is he your boyfriend?"
Liu choked, coughing into her sleeve.
> Liu: "What?! No. God, no."
She held up her hand, showing the delicate gold band on her finger.
> Liu: "He's my brother-in-law. I'm married. To his older brother."
> Nari (wide-eyed): "Wait—you're married?!"
> Liu: "It's complicated."
> Nari: "Girl, you're a walking drama series."
They laughed, the tension easing.
But the moment didn't last.
A shadow fell over their table.
They looked up.
Mika Tanaka.
Top of the class. Impeccable grades. Impeccable style. And a fan club of equally sharp-tongued girls who flanked her like bodyguards.
> Mika (smiling coldly): "Well, well. If it isn't the new favorite."
> Liu (calmly): "Can we help you?"
> Mika: "Just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. You're the one who aced the entrance exam, right?"
> Liu: "I suppose I am."
> Mika: "Interesting. Let's hope you can keep up."
> Nari (muttering): "Here we go…"
Mika's eyes narrowed, her smile never reaching them.
> Mika: "We'll see how long the top spot lasts."
She turned and walked away, her entourage trailing behind her like perfume.
Liu watched her go, then turned to Nari.
> Liu: "She's going to be a problem."
> Nari: "She's always a problem."
Library Banter
Mika's heels clicked away, her entourage trailing like shadows. Liu watched them disappear behind the shelves, then turned back to Nari with a shrug.
> Liu (dryly): "If I ever get outshone by that clown, I'll quit medicine and become a stripper."
Nari burst into laughter, nearly knocking over her water bottle.
> Nari (gasping): "You're insane! A stripper? You'd bankrupt Tokyo in a week."
> Liu (grinning): "Exactly. I'd be the first stripper with a scalpel and a scholarship."
> Nari: "You're my hero."
They laughed, the tension from Mika's intrusion dissolving into the dusty air of the library. But beneath Liu's smirk, something still tugged at her—something she couldn't name.
---
Evening at the Uhi Estate
The house was quiet when Liu returned. The sun was low, casting long shadows across the marble floors. She slipped off her shoes and padded toward the kitchen, her bag slung over one shoulder.
As she passed the sitting room, she spotted Don lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone.
> Liu (softly): "Evening."
He looked up, surprised. She hadn't greeted him like that in weeks.
> Don (sitting up): "Evening."
She didn't wait for more. She walked into the kitchen, tying her hair up as she reached for the kettle.
Don followed.
> Don: "How was school?"
> Liu (without turning): "Fine."
> Don: "Anything interesting happen?"
> Liu (flatly): "No."
She opened the cabinet, reaching for the sugar jar on the top shelf. Her fingers brushed the edge, but it was just out of reach.
Before she could grab a stool, Don stepped in behind her.
> Don: "Here. Let me."
He reached up, his chest brushing against her back as he grabbed the jar. His hand lingered a second too long as he passed it to her.
Liu didn't flinch. She took the sugar, poured it into her mug, and stirred.
> Don (softly): "You look tired."
> Liu (without looking at him): "Don't start."
> Don: "I'm just—"
> Liu (cutting him off): "If you want something, say it. Don't circle me like a mosquito."
He blinked.
> Liu (turning to face him): "Is it money? I can ask your brother. He listens to me."
> Don (quietly): "It's not money."
He stepped forward.
> Don: "It's you."
Before she could react, he grabbed her face and kissed her.
Deep. Rough. Desperate.
Liu froze.
She didn't kiss back.
But she didn't pull away either.
For a second, the world held its breath.
Then—
Crack.
Her knee shot up, hard and fast.
Don doubled over with a strangled gasp, clutching himself.
Before he could recover, her palm met his cheek with a sharp slap that echoed through the kitchen.
He stumbled back, eyes wide, breath ragged.
And then he saw her face.
Not angry.
Not furious.
But broken.
Tears welled in her eyes, her lips trembling.
> Liu (voice cracking): "Why would you do that?"
Don opened his mouth. No words came.
> Liu (whispering): "You think I'm just… something to take? To touch when you feel like it?"
She wiped her cheek, turned, and walked out—leaving her coffee untouched.
Don stood there, frozen.
The heat in his chest was gone.
All that remained was a hollow ache.
> "I crossed a line."
> "I hurt her."
And for the first time in a long time, Don Uhi felt shame.
[End of chapter 8]