The mansion remained silent long after the call ended.
No one knew what to say.
Because everyone understood exactly what Blackwood support meant.
Money.
Influence.
Power.
The kind capable of elevating or destroying empires overnight.
And Lucian Blackwood had just tied all of it—
to Selina.
Damian's face remained unreadable, but Selina noticed the tension in his jaw immediately.
He was angry.
Not because she was uncomfortable.
But because she had suddenly become important to someone powerful.
And that changed everything.
Livia broke the silence first.
"Selina," she said carefully, "you'll attend the gala."
Selina looked at her quietly.
No concern.
No asking if she wanted to go.
No questioning why Lucian was interested in her.
Only expectation.
Just like always.
"What if I don't?" Selina asked softly.
Damian's expression darkened.
"You will not create problems for this family."
Family.
The word felt almost laughable now.
Selina lowered her gaze briefly.
In her previous life, she would've agreed immediately to avoid disappointing them.
But now?
She no longer cared about disappointing people who once watched her die.
"I'll think about it," she replied calmly.
Damian looked ready to argue further when footsteps suddenly echoed from upstairs.
Elara.
She descended slowly, expression composed once again.
Too composed.
Selina recognized it instantly—
the mask Elara wore whenever something bothered her deeply.
"Elara," Livia said gently, "are you alright?"
"Of course."
But her eyes shifted immediately toward Selina.
Cold.
Careful.
Studying.
Then finally—
"Interesting," Elara said softly. "Mr. Blackwood seems very determined."
Rowan laughed awkwardly. "Honestly, it's kind of creepy."
Selina's heartbeat faltered slightly.
Because somehow—
he wasn't wrong.
Lucian's behavior made no sense.
Why her?
What exactly did he want?
And why did those silver eyes always look at her like someone terrified of losing something precious?
The memory unsettled her deeply.
"I'm going out," Selina said suddenly.
Livia blinked. "Right now?"
"Yes."
Without waiting for permission, Selina grabbed her coat and walked toward the entrance.
Behind her, she could feel everyone watching silently.
Especially Elara.
—
Cool air brushed against Selina's face the moment she stepped outside.
For the first time all day, she could breathe properly.
The mansion suddenly felt suffocating now.
She walked aimlessly through quiet streets while her thoughts spiraled endlessly.
Lucian Blackwood.
The name alone carried enough influence to terrify powerful people.
Even Damian seemed cautious around him.
And yet—
that same man looked at her with impossible familiarity.
"I finally found you."
The memory echoed again.
Selina stopped walking.
Found her.
Not met.
Not noticed.
Found.
As though he had been searching.
But why?
She didn't understand any of it.
Frustration settled heavily inside her as she continued walking through the city until eventually she reached a quiet bookstore café near downtown.
One of the few places where no one expected anything from her.
Selina entered quietly and sat near the window with a coffee she barely touched.
Rain tapped softly against the glass outside.
For a little while—
everything felt peaceful.
Until the seat across from her moved.
Selina looked up instantly.
And froze.
Lucian Blackwood sat across from her calmly.
As though this meeting had been inevitable.
Her pulse stumbled.
"How did you find me?"
A faint expression crossed his face.
"Was I supposed to lose you?"
The answer sent unease through her immediately.
Selina stared at him carefully now.
Up close, he looked even more dangerous outside the controlled atmosphere of the mansion.
Black coat.
Black gloves.
Silver eyes fixed entirely on her.
Everything about him felt controlled.
Except when it came to her.
"You've been following me."
It wasn't a question.
Lucian remained silent briefly before replying,
"Yes."
No denial.
No apology.
The honesty shocked her more than lying would have.
Selina's brows furrowed. "Why?"
For the first time since sitting down—
something vulnerable flickered behind his silver eyes.
Gone almost instantly.
"Because losing you once," he said quietly, "was enough."
Her breath caught.
The café suddenly felt too small.
Too quiet.
"What does that mean?" she whispered.
Lucian looked at her for a long moment.
Then slowly—
he reached into his coat pocket and placed something on the table between them.
Selina's heartbeat stopped.
It was her necklace.
The silver moon pendant she had been wearing—
the night she died