Selina couldn't stop thinking about the necklace.
Even after leaving the café.
Even after returning to the mansion.
The silver moon pendant remained burned into her mind like a haunting memory pulled from another life.
Because it was impossible.
That necklace belonged to the future.
To the version of her that died.
And yet somehow—
Lucian Blackwood already had it.
The realization unsettled her deeply.
The moment she stepped into the mansion, tension greeted her immediately.
Damian stood near the staircase looking furious.
"Where were you?"
Selina removed her coat calmly. "Out."
"You disappeared for hours without informing anyone."
Anyone.
Not family.
Not concern.
Just control.
"I didn't realize I needed permission."
Damian's expression darkened instantly.
Before he could respond, Elara descended the stairs slowly.
The moment her eyes landed on Selina—
they narrowed slightly.
"You met him."
Selina went still.
"How do you know that?"
Elara crossed her arms carefully. "Because Blackwood security called the mansion asking whether you returned safely."
Silence.
Selina's pulse faltered.
Returned safely?
Why would Lucian care about something like that?
Livia looked both shocked and pleased somehow.
"That means Mr. Blackwood is serious about you."
The sentence made Selina uncomfortable instantly.
Serious?
No.
Something about Lucian's behavior felt far deeper—and far more dangerous—than simple attraction.
Because attraction didn't look like relief.
Attraction didn't sound like:
"I finally found you."
And attraction definitely didn't involve possessing objects from a future that no longer existed.
Selina moved toward the stairs quietly.
"I'm tired."
"Wait," Damian said sharply.
She stopped.
"You will attend the Blackwood gala tomorrow."
Not a request.
Selina closed her eyes briefly.
Exhaustion washed through her.
In her previous life, she spent years obeying this family while receiving nothing in return.
Now even refusing felt tiring.
"Fine," she replied softly.
The answer surprised everyone.
Especially Damian.
Selina continued upstairs without another word.
But just before she disappeared down the hallway—
Elara suddenly spoke.
"Be careful."
Selina paused slightly.
"Elara—" Livia started.
"No," Elara interrupted quietly, eyes fixed on Selina's back. "I mean it."
Something about her tone felt strange.
Not jealousy.
Not anger.
Fear.
Selina slowly looked back.
Elara rarely feared anything.
Yet tonight—
her expression looked genuinely uneasy.
"The Blackwoods ruin people," Elara whispered.
A strange silence followed.
Then Selina replied softly,
"So do the Vales."
And walked away.
—
That night, sleep refused to come easily.
Rain poured heavily outside while Selina sat near the window staring into darkness.
Her thoughts kept returning to Lucian.
His calm voice.
His silver eyes.
The strange possessiveness hidden beneath every word.
And somehow—
despite how unsettling he was—
Selina never felt unsafe around him.
That frightened her the most.
Because after betrayal, trusting anyone should've become impossible.
Yet whenever Lucian looked at her—
it felt less like a stranger watching her...
and more like someone guarding something stolen from him long ago.
A sudden vibration interrupted her thoughts.
Her phone screen lit up.
Unknown Number.
Selina hesitated briefly before answering.
"...hello?"
Silence.
Then—
"Did you eat dinner?"
Her breath caught instantly.
Lucian.
Selina frowned. "How did you get my number?"
"I asked for it."
"Asking doesn't mean people should give it to you."
A faint sound almost resembling amusement came from the other end.
"They usually do."
Of course they did.
Men like Lucian Blackwood weren't told no often.
"You're impossible," Selina muttered quietly.
Silence followed briefly.
Then his voice softened unexpectedly.
"But you still answered."
Her heartbeat became uneven.
Dangerous.
This man was dangerously good at making simple words feel intimate.
Selina stood from the window immediately.
"You shouldn't call me this late."
"And yet," Lucian replied calmly, "you still sound awake."
She hated that he was right.
The rain outside intensified softly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The silence strangely didn't feel awkward.
Then quietly—
almost carefully—
Lucian asked,
"Are they treating you well tonight?"
Selina froze.
The question itself wasn't shocking.
It was the way he asked it.
As though he already expected the answer to hurt him.