Rhea's hand trembled slightly as she turned to face her mother.
"You called all the family… now Ling will know everything," she said sharply, trying to keep her voice steady.
Kane's lips curved faintly, almost amused.
"Why are you angry?" she asked calmly.
Rhea's hands clenched at her sides.
"You… you said I would give you your gift today… by breaking Ling. Didn't you?"
Rhea's throat tightened. Tears threatened to fall.
She nodded, barely audibly.
Kane's expression shifted immediately—her eyes hardened.
She stepped closer, her presence dominating.
"Why are your eyes teary?" Kane demanded, grabbing Rhea's chin hardly, tilting her face up.
Rhea tried to pull back instinctively, but Kane's grip was iron-strong.
"I… I'm not…" Rhea's voice cracked, a fragile lie escaping her.
"You are," Kane interrupted sharply. "Don't try to deny it."
Rhea's lips pressed together, and she swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm, but the heat of shame and fear flooded her cheeks.
Kane's gaze pierced through her, unyielding.
"You think you can lie to me?" Kane whispered, voice low, dangerous, almost cruel.
"I see everything. Your heart, your hesitation… the fear that Ling might know you played her."
Rhea shivered under the intensity, blinking rapidly to stop her tears.
"I… I'm just… I wanted—" she tried, but Kane cut her off.
"Wanted to protect her, yes. But this wasn't thing I wanted you to do, Rhea," Kane said coldly.
"Tonight, everything changes. And if you falter… if your eyes betray you again…"
Rhea bit her lip, tears now threatening to spill fully, her chest tightening.
Kane released her chin slowly, stepping back, letting the tension linger in the room like a living thing.
Rhea's shoulders sagged slightly. She wiped her cheeks quickly, not daring to show more, knowing Kane had already read every secret she had tried to hide.
And in that silence, Rhea realized the full weight of her promise—to protect Ling, to lie, to pretend, to obey—and yet, every moment, her heart screamed in the opposite direction.
The night was still, the mansion bathed in soft golden light. Ling's hands gripped the windowsill, muscles flexing as she hoisted herself silently inside Rhea's room.
She landed on the plush carpet without a sound, her boots barely brushing the floor.
Ling's breath caught, just for a moment. She moved closer, letting her fingers brush the delicate petals.
The room itself was immaculate—candles flickering faintly, fairy lights tracing the corners, and the soft shimmer of emerald accents everywhere. She recognized every detail: the silk sheets, the carefully chosen pillows, the subtle scent of Rhea's perfume lingering in the air.
Ling's lips curved in a slow, dangerous smile.
"So… this is all your doing," she whispered, almost to herself, eyes scanning the room.
Her gaze fell on Rhea, who stood near the doorway, heart pounding, cheeks flushed under the dim light.
"You kept your promise," Ling said softly, walking closer. "Hidden for Saturday and Sunday. All… for me."
Rhea swallowed, nervous yet steady. "I… I told you. I'll follow my promise. Just… stay, please. Stay with me."
Ling let her hand hover above the bouquet, then touched the edge of Rhea's waist instead, a silent claim, a gentle but possessive reminder of her presence.
"You're beautiful," Ling murmured, voice low, almost dangerous, her breath brushing Rhea's ear. "And clever. I like how you plan everything… for me."
Rhea's eyes widened slightly, unable to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks. She knew Ling didn't yet know the full truth—the revenge, Kane, everything—but for this moment, she didn't want Ling to.
Ling's hands moved slowly, deliberately tracing Rhea's arms before settling on her shoulders. "Stay here with me," she whispered again. "No one else. Only us. Just like we promised."
Rhea nodded, unable to speak, feeling both safe and destabilized at once—her heart caught between exhilaration and fear, knowing she had perfectly controlled the secret for now.
Ling smiled, leaning slightly closer, just enough that Rhea could feel the heat of her breath.
"You did all this… for me?" Ling teased lightly, voice silk and steel intertwined. "You're insane… but I like it."
Rhea's lips twitched into a small, nervous smile, tears threatening but held back. She only nodded, letting Ling's presence wash over her.
In that moment, the world outside ceased to exist. Only the room, the bouquet, the lights, and the dangerous intimacy between them remained.
Ling says lightly. "You vanished."
Rhea doesn't answer immediately.
Her eyes are red. Not crying — recently stopped.
Ling notices. Always does.
"Hey," Ling says, stepping closer. Teasing, but quieter now.
"Was that supposed to scare me? Because it worked."
Rhea exhales, shaky.
"I… I want to tell you something."
Ling's smile softens, crooked.
"Okay."
She reaches out, brushes her knuckles against Rhea's wrist. Not holding. Claiming proximity.
"Yes," Ling says again. "Tell me."
Rhea opens her mouth—
Her phone vibrates.
She flinches.
Ling arches a brow.
"Mother?"
Rhea looks down at the screen. Ling's mother name. Calling again.
"I'll call her later," Ling says quickly, silencing it.
"She's downstairs anyway. Party, right?"
"She've been calling me nonstop."
Rhea's throat tightens.
"No," she says quietly.
"They… they all left."
Ling freezes.
"What?"
"They left the party," Rhea repeats.
"Early."
Ling frowns, confusion breaking through control.
"Why would they leave?"
Rhea doesn't answer fast enough.
The door opens.
Kane steps in without knocking.
Perfect timing. Perfect posture.
Rhea turns toward her instantly — a warning in her eyes.
Not now.
Kane smiles.
Not warm. Not cruel.
Calculated.
"Oh," Kane says pleasantly. "You're both here."
Ling straightens, respectful by habit.
"Aunt," she says. "I thought everyone was celebrating."
Kane's gaze flicks to the candles.
To the wine.
To the bouquet.
Something like amusement crosses her face.
"They were," Kane replies smoothly.
"Some people don't like old memories."
Ling blinks.
"Memories?"
Rhea's nails dig into her palm.
Kane walks closer, resting a hand on Rhea's shoulder — light pressure, unmistakable ownership.
"Rhea gets emotional on my birthday," Kane says.
"She's sensitive. You know how daughters are."
Ling looks at Rhea immediately.
Rhea forces a smile.
"I'm fine."
Ling doesn't believe it — but she doesn't challenge Kane.
Not yet.
Kane turns to Ling again.
"You should go enjoy the party. We'll talk later."
Later.
Ling hesitates. Her eyes move between them.
She reaches out, adjusts the fall of Rhea's hair near her cheek — intimate, possessive, silent.
"I'll wait," Ling says softly.
Rhea nods.
"I know."
Ling leaves.
The door closes.
The air collapses.
Kane's hand tightens on Rhea's shoulder.
"So," Kane says quietly.
"You were about to tell her something?"
Rhea swallows.
"No."
Kane smiles wider.
"Good."