*Runze's POV*
After everything that happened this morning—the news of Wuchen Ming's arrest, Bael telling me Feifei wanted to see me—the estate settles into an unusual calm.
My fingers drift to the necklace again.
The small pear-shaped diamond rests lightly against my collarbone, cool beneath my fingertips. I trace its smooth edges absentmindedly before catching myself.
...Again.
A faint warmth creeps into my ears.
I lower my hand onto my lap, forcing my arms to stay still.
Not even five seconds later, my fingers find the pendant once more.
"..."
I really need to stop doing that.
Except... I can't.
Every time I touch it, yesterday comes rushing back.
*"I love you."*
The words replay so vividly that I can almost hear Bael's voice again… quiet, steady, impossibly sincere.
My face heats instantly.
He said it. He said it, and he meant it, and till now, I still catch myself at odd moments not quite believing it.
