Lucien's hand froze midair.
At that moment, he suddenly remembered eight years ago in the hospital, when the first thing she said after waking up was, "Why did you save me?"
Back then, her gaze had been stubborn, yet beautiful.
But now, there was nothing left in those eyes, only a hollow emptiness that unsettled him.
He abruptly let go and stood up as if he had been burned. It felt as if something had been torn open in his chest, the pain so sharp he could barely breathe.
"Useless." He gritted his teeth, unsure whether he was cursing her or himself.
He turned and strode toward the door, but paused with his hand on the handle. His back stiffened as he said in a voice barely audible, "Don't even think about running again. If I catch you next time, I will kill you."
The door slammed shut.
Mira collapsed onto the bed, curling into herself and burying her face in her knees as her shoulders trembled silently.
After an unknown amount of time, footsteps and voices sounded outside the door.
"Lucien, don't be angry anymore," Selena said, "she isn't worth it. If I hadn't discovered it in time five years ago, the entire family would have been destroyed."
Lucien remained silent.
Selena let out a soft laugh and said, "That night, you were drunk and held me, saying 'thank God I have you,' from that moment on, I knew there was a place for me in your heart."
Lucien still said nothing, but he didn't deny it either.
"Stop thinking about her," Selena said in a coaxing tone, "come with me tomorrow to try on dresses, I've already booked the church in Silvera."
"Mm." Lucien finally responded, his voice tired yet gentle.
In the darkness, Mira's eyes widened.
Five years ago.
He had been drunk… holding Selena and saying, "thank God I have you"…
So he had already found someone new.
So when he said, "when you come back, we'll go to Silvera," it had never been meant for Mira.
So she had truly been nothing more than a tool to strike at the Winslow family.
Her tears stopped falling.
Her heart stopped hurting.
When pain reached its limit, only numbness remained.
The next day, the church in Silvera hosted the mafia's annual gala, which also happened to be Selena's birthday.
Lucien used this occasion to connect with business partners from around the world and expand his empire's reach.
He stood beside the fountain, with Selena leaning against him.
This birthday celebration had been carefully planned by her, ostensibly a party, but in truth a declaration to the four great families that she was Lucien's future wife.
"Lucien, the bishop will be blessing us later." Selena said softly as her fingers brushed lightly against his cufflink.
Lucien didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the distant blue sea, yet it felt as though something inside him had been hollowed out.
For three days, Mira had remained silent in the estate, like a lifeless porcelain doll.
Late at night, he stood outside her door, hearing only her suppressed sobs.
One of his men rushed through the crowd and said in a low voice, "Mr. Yates, a man has broken into the estate and is in Ms. Winslow's room."
Lucien's pupils shrank.
The next second, he slammed his champagne glass onto the table, the sharp sound echoing as the amber liquid spilled across the surface.
Amid the guests' startled cries, he strode toward the helipad.
Selena's face turned ashen as her nails dug into her palm.
Mira again.
The helicopter landed on the estate lawn, and Lucien rushed into the main building, heading straight for the third-floor bedroom.
The door was ajar, and he kicked it open.
Julian stood by the bed, speaking softly to Mira curled in the corner, "Come with me, I'll take you out of here."
Mira looked up, and the moment she saw Lucien, her face turned deathly ashen.
She instinctively moved behind Julian, clutching tightly at the hem of his clothes.
Lucien's gaze darkened, like a predator locking onto its prey.
"Julian." He said in a low voice, "Trespassing on private property, even if I execute you right now, it would still be justified."
Julian turned slowly, not backing down, "I'm a police investigator with a warrant. You are illegally detaining Mira. This is a crime. Release her immediately."
