Mona stood alone on the balcony, staring at the moon. The air was cold, but the mansion behind her was colder.
She sensed someone coming before she turned.
It was Sunghoon.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked.
"No."
They stood in silence.
"You're mad at me," Mona said finally.
"I'm not mad," he said. "I just… didn't want this for you. This life. You deserve better."
She turned to him. "Then why didn't you stop it?"
"I tried," he whispered. "Every time you came near us, I tried to pull away. But I couldn't. I've felt your presence since before you even knew us."
She blinked. "You're saying you've always known me?"
He looked at her, eyes glowing faintly silver again. "Since the beginning."
Her breath caught. The air between them shifted.
Just then—
A crash echoed through the halls.
Niki burst onto the balcony, eyes wide. "They're here. Rogues. They found the house."
Jungwon's voice shouted from inside: "Protect the Heir!"
Mona's heart raced.
Sunghoon stepped in front of her, fangs sliding down. "Stay behind me."
But Mona… stepped forward.
Her blood was burning. Her eyes flashed silver. Her voice dropped.
"No," she said. "I'm done hiding."
And the shadows trembled.