Rhea didn't go to her room.
She turned back.
Shyra was still at the desk, sealing envelopes, when Rhea re-entered and shut the door behind her with a soft but deliberate click.
That sound alone made Shyra look up.
Rhea didn't lean this time. She stood straight, hands clasped behind her back like she'd already made a decision and was daring the world to argue.
"I'm not giving Mom the surprise the way you think," Rhea said.
Shyra's pen paused mid-air.
"Rhea," she warned lightly, "every time you say that, something explodes."
Rhea met her eyes. Calm. Too calm.
"I'll give her the result," Rhea said. "Just not the truth."
Shyra slowly set the pen down.
"Explain."
Rhea inhaled once.
"I'm going to tell Ling everything."
Shyra stiffened.
"…Everything?"
"Yes," Rhea said without blinking. "The revenge. Mom. The plan. Why I entered her life. All of it."
Shyra stared at her, searching for hesitation.
"And," Rhea continued, voice steady, "I'll tell her I love her. For real. Not strategy. Not acting."
For a fraction of a second, Shyra's expression softened.
Then sharpened again.
"And then?"
Rhea's jaw tightened.
"I'll ask her to help me lie."
That did it.
Shyra leaned forward, elbows on the desk.
"Lie how."
Rhea didn't rush the answer.
"I'll ask Ling to pretend," she said quietly, "that I broke her."
Shyra's eyes widened slightly.
"That I used her. That I drained her. That I walked away victorious."
Shyra exhaled slowly.
"And to mother?"
Rhea's lips curved into something bitter, not quite a smile.
"I'll tell Mom exactly what she wants to hear," Rhea said.
"That Ling is weak. That she fell. That she depended. That I left her shattered."
The room felt colder.
Shyra studied her sister for a long moment.
"So," she said carefully, "you're going to lie."
Rhea didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Shyra tilted her head.
"For how long?"
Rhea looked away toward the window, where the sky was already dimming into evening.
"Until Mom forgets," she said.
"Until the revenge rots from neglect. Until it stops owning her."
Shyra's voice dropped.
"And what if it never does?"
Rhea's fingers curled tighter behind her back.
"Then I'll keep lying," she said. "As long as it takes."
Silence.
Then Shyra spoke again, softer now—but sharper underneath.
"And Ling?"
"What happens to her while you're performing this illusion?"
Rhea swallowed.
"I won't hurt her," she said immediately. "Not again."
Shyra raised an eyebrow.
"You're asking someone you were meant to destroy to help you deceive the person who created that destruction."
"I know," Rhea said. "That's why I'll tell her the truth first. All of it. She gets to decide."
Shyra leaned back slowly, eyes never leaving Rhea's face.
"You're gambling with two dangerous women," she said.
"One who controls you with blood.
One who would burn the world if you asked."
Rhea finally looked back at her.
"I'm done letting the wrong one win."
Shyra was quiet for a long time.
Then she said, almost gently,
"If Ling agrees… this stops being a game."
"I know," Rhea replied. "That's why I'm choosing it."
Shyra sighed, rubbing her temples.
"You really are Mom's daughter," she muttered.
"Same ruthlessness. Different target."
Rhea didn't respond.
Because she already knew.
She exhaled slowly and leaned against the doorframe, arms crossing—not defensive, just resolved.
"I already told Ling," she said. "Last weekend."
Shyra looked up sharply.
"Told her what, exactly?"
"That I'll hide her in my room," Rhea replied. "Saturday and Sunday. No exits. No sightings. No mistakes."
Shyra's mouth opened, then closed again.
"…You're insane."
Rhea's lips twitched.
"I know."
Shyra stood up now, pacing once.
"And mother?"
"She won't step into my room," Rhea said calmly. "Not this weekend. Not if you help me."
Shyra stopped.
"You're planning something else."
Rhea nodded.
"Tomorrow. After Mom's birthday ends."
Shyra's eyes narrowed.
"What are you planning, Rhea."
Rhea hesitated for half a second—then said it.
"I'm going to propose to Ling. In my room."
The silence was brutal.
Shyra stared at her like she'd just declared war on gravity.
"…Propose," Shyra repeated. "As in—"
"Yes," Rhea cut in. "That kind."
Shyra let out a short, incredulous laugh.
"You were sent to break her."
"I know."
"You were supposed to make her dependent and leave."
"I know."
"And instead you're—" Shyra gestured wildly, "—locking her in your room and planning rings?"
"There won't be a ring," Rhea said quietly. "Not yet. Just words. A promise. Something she can hold onto when everything else turns ugly."
Shyra studied her face.
"And you think Ling Kwong will accept a proposal hidden behind lies?"
Rhea's jaw tightened.
"She deserves the truth," she said. "All of it. That's why I'm doing this after Mom's birthday. Not before."
Shyra folded her arms.
"And the morning?" she asked. "What if Mom decides to inspect your room? What if she smells another presence?"
Rhea's gaze didn't waver.
"She won't."
"That's not an answer."
Rhea stepped closer, voice low.
"I'll stay up all night if I have to," she said. "Clean everything. Change sheets. Burn incense. Rearrange furniture. I'll make it look untouched—cold—unlived-in."
Shyra frowned.
"And Ling?"
"She won't leave the room," Rhea said. "Bathroom included. Food brought in. No windows. Curtains shut."
Shyra went very still.
"You're talking about hiding a person," she said slowly.
"A very powerful, very noticeable person."
Rhea met her eyes.
"She climbed my window before," she said. "She can survive two days unseen. I survived in her mansion, why can't she."
Shyra shook her head.
"You're risking everything. Your mother. Her mother. Her family. Her safety."
Rhea's voice softened—but only slightly.
"I've already risked her heart," she said. "This is me trying not to destroy it."
Shyra sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"And if Mom still walks in?"
Rhea didn't hesitate.
"Then I'll stand in front of the door," she said.
"And I won't move."
Shyra searched her face again—then finally muttered,
"You're terrifying when you're in love."
Rhea didn't smile.
"I learned from the best."
Shyra closed her eyes briefly, then opened them.
"Fine," she said. "I'll handle Mom. I'll keep her busy. I'll make excuses. I'll lie. After I go you have to manage."
She pointed a finger at Rhea.
"But if this explodes—"
"I'll take it," Rhea said immediately. "All of it."
Shyra nodded once.
"Tomorrow decides everything."
"Yes," Rhea replied.
And somewhere far away, Ling Kwong had no idea she was about to be hidden, proposed to, and pulled into the most dangerous truth of her life.