LOGINchap 14 THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW “W-What?! Have you lost your mind, Lucian?!” Sera protested as he carried her through the hall. “Stop squirming—you’ll fall,” he warned, but she refused to stay still. Her face burned hot with embarrassment and panic as she beat her fists against his firm back. She’d never felt so exposed in her life. “No! Let me go! I said I don’t want this—don’t you know this is wrong?! You’re forcing me—this is harassment—ah!” She shrieked as he paused, pretending to drop her. She clung to his neck and shoulders so tightly her knuckles turned white, her heart hammering against her ribs. But he only laughed, making her so angry she pinched his arm hard. “You bastard! You’re insane! Crazy! Crazy!” she yelled, terrified he wouldn’t stop. “Stop pretending... I know I affect you, Sera. I’m not harassing you—I’m trying to help. It’s for your own go
chap 13THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW “What’s that?” Sera’s sleepy voice drifted over as Lucian stepped out of the kitchen, a steaming pot of stew in his hands. He raised an eyebrow—how had she made it all the way here without anyone guiding her? “How did you even get to—” “Good morning, best friend!” Lucian’s question died on his lips as his friend’s voice rang out—Kidd had been staying at the house for nearly a week now. “Ah... right,” Lucian muttered, realizing Kidd must have led her here. He shook his head and set the pot on the table. “Caldereta. That’s what we’re having.” Sera laughed at his blunt reply. “Wow—feels like there’s a feast every day with all the food you cook.” “Yep! She’s not wrong,” Kidd chimed in, carrying plates to the table and setting them down with a clatter. Lucian shot both of them a pointed look. “Complaining now? If you don’t like what I make, feel free to skip meals
chap 12THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW The clink of ice against crystal filled Kidd’s ears as he leaned his elbow on the dining table, swirling his glass in slow circles. His thoughts ran deep, fixated on one question he couldn’t shake: why would a man like Lucian choose to marry? “You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world, my boy,” Lola Cathy said, pulling him out of his reverie. Kidd sighed and set his glass down, slumping back in his chair. His brow was still furrowed when he spoke. “Madamé, I just can’t make sense of it...” Lola Cathy took the seat across from him, setting down a cup of tea. “Hmm? What’s eating at you?” “You know what we do for a living. Isn’t having a wife, building a family—isn’t it all pointless now?” There was a hint of sorrow in his voice as he stared into space. “Sooner or later, they’ll find out about her. You know we can’t let that happen. It’s forbidden...
chap 11THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW “Who’s there?” Sera called out again when no voice answered the sound of the door opening. Because she was completely naked. Not a stitch of clothing on her body—only her hands covering her most intimate places. And she hadn’t shaved in days. God, the fine curls of hair felt so embarrassing. She’d wanted to take care of it, but with her sight gone, she couldn’t see well enough to manage it on her own. “H-Hello? L-Lucian? Is that you?” she whispered, her throat tight when silence stretched on. “I can’t stay like this forever,” she muttered to herself. Maybe no one had come in at all. Maybe the wind had just pushed the door open. Besides, she was sure Lucian had left—no one else would dare open her door. If it were Lola Cathy, she would have spoken up already. Slowly, Sera let her hands drop from her chest and hips, letting out a soft sigh as she convinced herself the ro
chap 10 THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW “Never in my life did I think he’d be buying this kind of stuff, Kier.” “What?! I’m not overreacting! If you were here, your jaw’d be on the floor “Go on then! Come here yourself instead of ordering me around.” “Fuck you, Kieran!” The car fell silent at last as Kidd finally stopped ranting. He sat in the passenger seat beside Lucian, while the back was stacked high with dozens of ice cream tubs. “Since when did you start liking sweets?” Lucian rolled his eyes—Kidd was back to grilling him like a reporter. “Hey! Why won’t you answer me? Are you hiding something? I know I’m not your favorite friend—” he said, his voice dripping with fake drama, “—but I deserve to know what’s going on in your life! You flew me back to the Philippines just to tag along for ice cre
chap 9THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW Sera was still catching her breath, jaw tight with lingering irritation, as she registered the shift in the room’s energy. She heard the tremor in Shein’s voice—fear, undisguised. The air itself felt thick, a palpable darkness that urged her to grip the bedsheets until her knuckles burned. Lucian hadn’t uttered a word in her direction, yet she felt the weight of his anger, a stifling presence. “You know how much I hate repeating myself, Shein.” The change in his voice made her freeze. It was just as she had thought before—she could read his mood even in his most neutral tone, and now it was colder than glacial ice. Like standing before a predator poised to strike. “What did she do to you, Sera?” Lucian’s voice was low, each word precise. Sera swallowed hard. The answer was simple—she threw a bag at me, grabbed my hair—but she couldn’t predict his reaction. Before she could speak, Shein int







