The estate stirred with the first rays of sunlight filtering through the tall windows. The soft chirping of birds provided a serene backdrop as the household prepared for a day that was anything but ordinary.
Rose stood in the hallway, her suitcase by her side. Her long braids framed her thoughtful expression as she glanced back at the kitchen where Sophia sat at the dining table, nursing a mug of tea.
Kai leaned casually against the doorframe, his usual playful smirk replaced with something gentler.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” he asked Rose.
Rose gave a small smile, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of hesitation. “Alex has been waiting for me, Kai. He kept his promise to find me… now it’s my turn to go back to him.”
Sophia looked up, her chest tightening at the thought of her closest friend leaving. “Rose…”
Rose crossed the room and enveloped Sophia in a tight hug. “You’ll be fine, Soph. I know you will. We’ve been through worse.”
Sophia’s voice trembled as she pulled back. “You were my strength, Rose. I don’t know how to do this without you.”
Rose cupped Sophia’s face.
“You’re stronger than you think. You’ve got a fire in you that even the darkest shadows can’t snuff out.” She smiled softly, then added,
“And besides, you’ve got this whole house full of misfits to watch your back now.”
Kai cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “Alright, ladies. We’ll all be a puddle of tears if you don’t leave soon.”
Rose chuckled, wiping at her eyes. “Take care of her, Kai. And yourself too.”
Kai offered a mock salute. “Always.”
---
After Rose left, the house felt emptier, though it was still bustling with activity.
Crystal hummed to herself as she tidied the living room, while Kai attempted to coax Ji-hyun into helping with breakfast.
Sophia, however, couldn’t shake the hollow feeling in her chest. She wandered the estate aimlessly, her thoughts tumbling over one another.
Rose had always been her constant—a reminder of who she was and what she had survived. Now, without her, the weight of uncertainty pressed down even harder.
As she stepped outside into the garden, the crisp morning air offered a brief reprieve.
The flowers were in full bloom, their vibrant colors contrasting the heaviness in her heart.
Sophia crouched near a cluster of daisies, brushing her fingers over the petals. “You’re not alone,” she whispered to herself, as if saying the words aloud might make them true.
---
“I thought I might find you here,” Lucius’s deep voice broke through her thoughts.
Sophia glanced up, her heart skipping a beat as he approached. He looked more casual than usual, his dark shirt unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms.
She rose to her feet, brushing dirt off her hands. “I just needed some air.”
He nodded, his gaze softening as it lingered on her. “Rose’s departure has hit you harder than you expected.”
Sophia gave a bitter laugh. “She was my anchor, Lucius. She kept me grounded when everything else was spinning out of control.”
Lucius stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “And now you feel untethered.”
She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “She said I’m strong, but… I don’t feel like it.”
“You are strong,” Lucius said firmly, his voice carrying an intensity that made her look up. “You’ve survived more than most people ever will. You’re not just strong—you’re extraordinary.”
Sophia blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. “I don’t feel extraordinary,” she admitted.
He tilted his head, his golden eyes piercing. “You will. And until you see it for yourself, I’ll remind you every day.”
Sophia’s lips curved into a small smile despite herself. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”
Lucius shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Part of my charm.”
For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them a mix of comfort and something unspoken.
---
The moment was interrupted by a rustling sound near the treeline. Lucius’s expression darkened instantly, his body going rigid.
“What is it?” Sophia asked, her voice laced with concern.
Lucius’s gaze remained fixed on the trees. “Stay behind me.”
A figure emerged from the shadows, but it wasn’t an enemy. It was a deer—its coat glimmering faintly, as if kissed by starlight. Its antlers were adorned with what looked like small, glowing crystals.
Sophia gasped, her eyes widening. “What… is that?”
Lucius relaxed slightly, though his expression remained wary. “A spirit creature. Rare, and usually harmless.”
The deer stepped closer, its luminous eyes locking onto Sophia. It tilted its head, as if studying her.
Sophia took an instinctive step forward, drawn to the creature’s ethereal beauty. “It’s incredible,” she breathed.
The deer lowered its head, its antlers glowing brighter.
A strange warmth spread through Sophia, and she felt a sudden surge of energy—like a current running through her veins.
Lucius reached out, grabbing her arm. “Sophia, stop.”
“I think it’s trying to tell me something,” she said, her voice soft and awestruck.
The deer let out a low, melodic sound before turning and disappearing back into the woods.
Sophia turned to Lucius, her eyes shimmering. “What was that?”
Lucius’s jaw tightened. “A sign.”
“Of what?”
“That your powers are awakening faster than I anticipated,” he said grimly. “And that the forces watching you aren’t just dark ones.”
Sophia’s heart raced, but before she could ask more, Lucius placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I’ll explain everything,” he promised. “But for now, you need to focus. Your dream of healing isn’t just about animals, Sophia. It’s about something much bigger.”
Sophia nodded, determination flickering to life in her chest. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready to face it.
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...
