ログインVALERIANI arrive at the university shortly before eight.My night was considerably shorter than usual, but that doesn't affect my routine.I have lectures to conduct, papers to review, and several matters requiring my attention.Last night's events are none of those things.At least, they shouldn't be.I place my briefcase on the desk and take out the lecture materials.My eyes briefly drift towards the empty seat near the third row.Lynn's usual seat.I look away.She's probably still recovering from yesterday's injuries.Not that it concerns me beyond the responsibility I have towards a student who was injured in my presence.I adjust my cufflinks and begin arranging the papers.A few minutes later, the students start filing into the classroom.Among them is the person I've just been thinking about.Lynn.She's wearing grey leggings and a loose white top. Her hair is tied into a ponytail, and there's a bandage around her hand.She walks towards her usual seat, greeting someone alon
LYNNThe first thing I notice when I wake up is warmth.The second is that something feels terribly wrong with my sleeping arrangement.I slowly open my eyes.A black shirt.An arm around my waist.A steady heartbeat beneath my ear.I blink.Once.Twice.Then I lift my head.Oh.Oh, dear.Professor Valerian Cage.I'm lying against Professor Valerian Cage.I immediately become aware of everything.His arm is around me.My cheek is practically resting against his chest.One of my hands is gripping his shirt.And judging by the position of his body, we've apparently spent the entire night like this.I slowly lift my head further.His eyes are open.Very open.He's staring at the ceiling with an expression that suggests he hasn't blinked in several business days.I look at his face.There are dark circles beneath his eyes.His hair is slightly dishevelled, and his shirt is creased.He looks exhausted.I stare at him.Then at myself.Then back at him.“Good morning?”His eyes finally move
LYNN“What did they do to you?”His voice reaches my ears, but I can't seem to understand the question.I'm still trying to catch my breath.My eyes move around the room, desperately searching for something familiar. The ceiling, the curtains, the bedside lamp…Then they settle on him.Valerian.Professor Valerian Cage.I recognize him.I know him.But my body doesn't seem to understand that.He takes a step towards me.I immediately move backwards, pressing myself against the headboard.He stops.“Lynn?”My eyes follow his every movement. Even the slightest shift of his shoulders makes my muscles tense.He raises one hand.I flinch.His brows draw together.“It's alright.”I shake my head.“No.”He lowers his hand.“I'm not going to hurt you.”I stare at him.My breathing is still uneven, and my heart feels as though it's about to burst out of my chest.He takes another cautious step.I shrink further into the bed.“Please don't.”He immediately stops.For a moment, neither of us spe
LYNN I stare at the mansion as Valerian's car comes to a stop. For a moment, I wonder whether I've mistaken the address. But no. I know this place. I've been here several times before. Kai used to bring me here for family gatherings, although he never stayed long enough for anyone to properly know me as his wife. Occasionally, he'd leave me to entertain myself while he went off with his relatives. Other times, he'd make excuses about having somewhere else to be. I remember sitting in this very compound, waiting for him to return. How ironic. In my previous life, I had visited this mansion several times without ever imagining that I'd one day arrive here with Professor Valerian Cage. I turn towards him. “Professor?” “Hmm?” “Didn't you say our relationship was strictly between a student and her lecturer?” He glances at me briefly. “Did I say otherwise?” “No, but bringing a female student to your mansion after she gets injured is certainly an interesting interpretation of
And as if he had been summoned by the mention of his name, Kai walks into the storeroom.My heart gives an unexpected thud.What is he doing here?His eyes sweep across the room, briefly settling on Mike before moving to Miranda and Hellen.Then they land on me.More specifically, my injured hand.His expression changes.“What's going on?”Nobody answers immediately.Kai takes another step inside, his gaze moving from the blood on my palm to the broken portrait lying on the floor.Then he looks at me again.“Lynn?”I lower my eyes.I wasn't expecting him to be here. In my previous life, Kai was someone I had desperately wanted to impress. I had spent years chasing his attention, believing that if I loved him enough, he would eventually choose me.How foolish I had been.Now, standing in front of him, I feel nothing but an unfamiliar distance.“Are you hurt?”I nod slightly.“It's nothing.”“Nothing?” His eyes return to my bleeding palm. “Your hand is bleeding.”Hellen immediately step
I am still standing in the storeroom, holding my mother's portrait against my chest, when I hear footsteps approaching. I turn towards the door. Hellen. Of course. Her eyes immediately settle on the portrait in my arms before travelling back to my face. “What are you doing with that?” I tighten my hold on the frame. “Taking it home.” She lets out a short laugh. “Why? Planning to decorate your bedroom with it?” I ignore her and turn towards the door. “Move, Hellen.” She steps in front of me. “Don't tell me what to do.” I sigh. “Then don't stand in my way.” Her gaze returns to the portrait. “Honestly, Lynn, why are you so obsessed with things that belonged to your mother? She's gone. You should learn to move on.” My fingers tighten around the frame. “Don't talk about my mother.” “Or what?” I stare at her. “Just move.” “Give me that.” Instead, she reaches for the portrait."What is it?" “My mother's picture.” She looks at it for a few secon







