Morning sunlight streamed faintly through the curtains, cutting thin gold lines across the soft gray walls of the bedroom. The quiet hum of the city waking up barely penetrated the condominium's high floors. The alarm hadn't rung yet, but a subtle creak of the door opening slowly pierced the silence.
"Miss Bai…?" Xiao Lin's whisper was careful as she tiptoed in, carrying freshly laundered clothes over her arm. "I came to check if you were awake—"
A sudden jolt.
Bai Zhiqi shot upright in bed, eyes wild and breathing harsh, as if pulled out from underwater. Her fingers gripped the sheets tightly, chest rising and falling with each uneven breath. For a brief moment, she looked lost—like she wasn't in the room at all.
Xiao Lin nearly dropped the clothes in fright. "Oh my god—! Miss Bai, are you okay?"
Bai Zhiqi blinked rapidly, her surroundings slowly falling into place. She noticed Xiao Lin standing near the door, eyes wide, expression half-worried, half-alarmed. Bai Zhiqi instinctively wiped her forehead—damp with sweat—and gave a low nod.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, voice hoarse.
"You scared me to death," Xiao Lin muttered, clutching her chest dramatically. "I thought something happened. You were tossing around a lot earlier too…"
"I didn't notice," Bai Zhiqi said calmly, getting out of bed and brushing past her to the bathroom, almost too smoothly—too practiced.
Xiao Lin hesitated, watching the closed bathroom door with a small frown. *She didn't push it*. Miss Bai had always been distant, even after weeks in the house. Always polite, never rude—but closed off. Still, today… something felt different.
Inside the bathroom, Bai Zhiqi leaned on the sink with both hands, breathing slowly. Her reflection stared back at her: pale, tired eyes, shadows beneath them. She splashed cold water on her face.
That dream again.
The courtroom.
The verdict.
Lanyue's voice trembling with fake sorrow.
She gritted her teeth and exhaled sharply. No more.
In the kitchen, Xiao Lin had laid out a simple breakfast. When Bai Zhiqi walked in, dressed neatly as always, she looked composed—mask back on.
"I made your tea," Xiao Lin said, glancing up, trying not to be awkward. "Also… I ironed the white blouse you like. Thought it might go well today."
"Thank you." Bai Zhiqi sat down smoothly and picked up the cup.
They ate in relative silence. But Xiao Lin kept sneaking glances at her. She almost wanted to ask if she was okay again—but she didn't. She could sense it wouldn't go anywhere.
Instead, she cleared her throat. "You're… leaving early today?"
"There's something I need to do before going to the office," Bai Zhiqi replied, eyes not leaving her tea.
Xiao Lin nodded, then forced a small smile. "Well… tell Mr. Ji you're overworking yourself. He might actually give you a day off."
That earned the faintest flicker of amusement in Bai Zhiqi's expression—but it vanished just as quickly.
After she finished eating, she stood up, collected her things, and paused briefly.
"You don't need to worry," she said quietly without looking back. "I'm fine."
Xiao Lin blinked. "I didn't—"
But the front door had already opened and shut behind her.