The Next Day
Sophia woke up early, the memory of her late-night encounter with Mr. Lee still vivid in her mind. The way his voice had softened when he said, "Because I do," replayed over and over, leaving her restless.
Shaking off the lingering emotions, she dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit and headed downstairs for breakfast.
Ji-hyun was already there, munching on toast while scrolling through her phone.
“Unnie!” Ji-hyun called out. “You’re up early! Did you dream of Min-jae?”
Sophia rolled her eyes and poured herself a cup of tea. “No, Ji-hyun. Unlike you, I don’t spend my dreams plotting mischief.”
Ji-hyun grinned mischievously. “Speaking of mischief, Oppa looked so moody last night. Did something happen?”
Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. “Why would anything have happened?”
“I don’t know,” Ji-hyun said, her eyes narrowing playfully. “But I think Oppa gets weird whenever you’re involved.”
Before Sophia could respond, Mr. Lee entered the dining room, his presence immediately silencing Ji-hyun’s teasing.
His sharp suit and perfectly composed demeanor contrasted with the casual atmosphere, but his gaze briefly lingered on Sophia, sending a chill down her spine.
“Good morning,” he greeted, his voice neutral.
“Good morning,” Sophia and Ji-hyun replied in unison.
As they ate, Ji-hyun launched into her usual chatter, but Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling that Mr. Lee’s attention kept flickering toward her.
---
Later that day, Sophia decided to explore the estate’s library again. She loved the quiet serenity it offered, but this time, something felt different. The air was heavier, and a strange energy seemed to pulse through the room.
As she browsed the shelves, her fingers brushed against an ancient-looking book. The moment she touched it, a surge of heat shot through her arm, and the room seemed to darken.
“What is this…?” she whispered, pulling the book out.
The cover was embossed with symbols she couldn’t decipher, but as she opened it, the text seemed to rearrange itself into words she could read.
“To awaken is to remember.”
A sudden voice behind her made her jump.
“You shouldn’t touch that.”
She turned to see Mr. Lee standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
“What is this book?” she asked, clutching it tightly.
His gaze darkened, and for a moment, the air seemed to crackle with unseen power. “Something dangerous. Put it back.”
Sophia hesitated. “But—”
“Now,” he said, his voice low and commanding.
Reluctantly, she returned the book to its place, but the moment she did, a strange glow emanated from the shelf before fading away.
“What’s going on here?” she demanded, stepping closer to him.
Mr. Lee sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“There are things about this world, about me, that you’re not ready to understand.”
“Then explain it to me,” she challenged.
His eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw something flicker—flames, shadows, something otherworldly.
YOU ARE READING
SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)
Romance"Beyond Shadows" In a world where darkness whispers secrets and power knows no bounds, a young orphan's dreams of becoming a veterinarian are crushed by the cruel betrayal of her own blood. Sold into an unforgiving fate, she finds herself in the eni...
