---
After arriving home, Lin Yue locked the door quietly behind her, her steps slow and heavy as she walked into the silent apartment.
She slipped off her shoes, padded softly to her room, and grabbed a fresh set of comfy clothes.
After a warm shower, she changed into a soft beige hoodie and matching loose pajama pants.
The scent of the body wash still lingered on her skin as she made her way to the kitchen.
Her small apartment was silent, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator.
She tied her hair up loosely and began preparing her dinner of a simple meal of stir-fried noodles with vegetables, eggs, and a bit of chicken.
As she chopped the spring onions, her thoughts drifted to the day.
'Why did he look at me like a stranger?' Her fingers paused on the knife. 'Why did he pass by without even blinking?'
She closed her eyes as the painful memory of the break room replayed in her mind— the cold flick of his eyes, the absence of emotion in his face.
It was like watching someone wear Ah Yan's body, but without the soul she knew so intimately.
Her hands stilled.
She remembered his hugs. How safe and protected she'd felt in his arms.
She remembered his voice—gentle and reassuring, like a soft breeze on a spring morning.
"I won't ever leave you," he had once whispered. "Even if I remember everything... you'll always be the one I love."
She remembered him saying that to her, his voice trembling slightly, as though even he feared the possibility of leaving her.
But now...
Now, he looked through her like she was a stranger in the hallway.
She remembered the nights they made love—how he held her like she was his entire world.
How they promised each other a future.
Now, that man didn't even know her.
Or acted like he didn't know her.
The tears came uninvited, streaming down her cheeks.
She quickly wiped them with the sleeve of her hoodie and forced herself to finish cooking.
The aroma of the fried vegetables filled the kitchen, but she barely tasted a thing as she ate in silence.
Her heart felt heavier with every bite.
---
After eating quietly, the food barely registering on her tongue, she cleaned the dishes.
Lying on the bed, sleep refused to come.
Restless, Lin Yue walked to the balcony, where a small folding table and a stool sat. Her art supplies were neatly stored in a box beneath.
She pulled them out and set up a fresh canvas.
She sat down with a sigh and began sketching.
Her easel stood where she had left it yesterday.
Grabbing a pencil and her sketchpad, she began to draw. Her hand moved automatically, pulling from the concept designs of the upcoming architectural project.
She sketched a futuristic building surrounded by lush greenery, a merging of glass, steel, and organic shapes.
By the time she finished, it was past ten. She blinked in surprise. The stars twinkled above her, and the cool air had grown colder.
Folding the canvas carefully, she set it on the shelf by the front door, so she wouldn't forget to bring it tomorrow.
Finally ready for bed, she lay down and pulled the blanket over herself exhaustion finally catching up with her.
---
The rooftop breeze was soft against her skin.
Lin Yue sat quietly, legs dangling over the edge of the small stone bench on the apartment rooftop, lost in the night sky.
The wind tousled her hair as she looked up at the stars.
Then came the footsteps. Familiar, strong.
"Yueyue..."
She turned swiftly.
Ah Yan stood behind her, dressed in a white t-shirt and black jeans trousers with white sneakers, just like in her memories.
She ran into his arms.
"Ah Yan! You're finally back!" she sobbed, clinging to him. "I missed you so much..."
He held her tightly, his hand stroking her back.
"Silly girl, I've always been with you."
Her tears flowed freely. "I missed you... so much. Don't disappear again."
He cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheeks. "I never left."
And then, he kissed her.
Passionate, consuming, a kiss that stole the breath from her lungs and stitched the pieces of her soul.
She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He tilted her chin up and kissing her—slow and deep, full of love and longing.
---
Lin Yue gasped and sat up in bed. The room was dark, her pillow soaked in tears.
Her arms were wrapped around it like it was him.
It had been just a dream.
A painful, beautiful dream.
Tears welled in her eyes again, but she wiped them away, breathing deeply.
"Ah Yan... you're not him anymore, are you?"
Ah Yan... was so different from the cold man she saw.
She wept quietly into the silence, aching for the version of him who had loved her.
---
After composing herself, she glanced at the clock.
6:30 AM.
She rose from bed and shuffled to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to chase away the remnants of the dream.
She showered then picked out a light pink midi dress with ruffled sleeves and tied her long black hair into a messy bun—just the way Ah Yan used to tell her he liked it.
As she applied a glossy sheen to her lips, she glanced at her reflection.
Her fingers brushed lightly over her stomach.
By the sixth month, it would start to show.
Would she still be able to work?
She shook her head. "It's still early..."
She pushed the thoughts away and headed to the kitchen.
After making herself a light breakfast, she packed lunch in a neat box and placed it in her bag.
She took the sketch by the door before heading out.
---
At the Liang Mansion, the atmosphere was lively. Liang Yexuan walked down the wide staircase, buttoning the cuff of his shirt.
His expression was unreadable as usual.
His cold eyes swept the room and landed on a cheerful figure sitting on the living room couch typing on her phone.
When she saw her brother, her eyes lit up.
"Where are you going so early?" he asked in a low voice as he raised an eyebrow.
She beamed. "I'm going shopping with Sister Meilin! She said she needs help choosing outfits for an upcoming event."
He said nothing, simply nodded and walked toward the dining room.
She pouted but didn't push. She knew her brother well enough. He never cared about other people's lives.
He turned and walked into the dining room.
The butler quickly signaled the staff to serve breakfast.
It wasn't often that Young Master Yexuan ate at home in the morning.
"Serve the breakfast now."
Liang Qianyu followed him in and took the seat across from him.
She watched him eat silently for a few seconds before finally blurting, "Brother... why don't you like Sister Meilin?"
His eyes flicked up, cold and sharp.
"She's beautiful, gentle, and she really likes you," Qianyu said, playing with the edge of her sleeve while looking at him. "She's even working on starting her own company so she won't always rely on her family... isn't that admirable?"
Liang Yexuan didn't answer immediately. He picked up his coffee cup, swirling the dark liquid slowly.
Then he smirked. "Eat your breakfast. If you talk too much, I'll ship you back to Italy."
She pouted, her lips curling downward. "Hmph, you're so cold..."
She picked up her glass of milk and drank it silently, glancing at him from time to time.
---