The morning after Cordelia was brought home, the Grey family manor was filled with a strange tension.

Lucian and Felix sat at the long dining table, the air between them thick with unspoken words. The morning sunlight streamed through the grand windows, illuminating the cold expression on Lucian’s face. He tapped his fingers impatiently against the polished wood, his brows furrowed in frustration.

"This is ridiculous," Lucian muttered, voice laced with irritation. "I refuse to cooperate with Mother’s schemes."

Felix, stirring his coffee absentmindedly, sighed. "I think it’s best if we just go along with it. You know how she is. There’s no point in fighting her on this."

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "You expect me to sit here and pretend that girl is my sister? That she belongs here?" His voice was dangerously low, his frustration barely contained.

Felix didn’t answer right away. Truthfully, he didn’t know what to say. The whole situation was insane, but at the same time, Georgia had already decided. Fighting her would only make things worse.

Before Lucian could continue his rant, a sharp voice cut through the room.

"I suggest you keep your damn voices down," Georgia said coolly as she passed by them.

Felix immediately shut his mouth, swallowing nervously.

Lucian, however, was less inclined to obey. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his glare never leaving his mother. "This plan is insane," he stated firmly.

Georgia merely smiled, unfazed.

Lucian scoffed and turned away, only to see that his mother was heading toward Cordelia’s room. His eyes darkened as realization set in—she was calling her down for breakfast.

"Of course," he muttered under his breath.

With a roll of his eyes, he abruptly stood up. "I’m leaving," he announced, not waiting for a response.

Felix barely had time to react before Lucian was out the door.

Seconds later, Cordelia entered the room with Georgia, her movements hesitant, her eyes scanning the space curiously.

"Where is brother going?" she asked, her voice light but tinged with uncertainty.

Felix smirked. "Oh, he had an upset stomach. Needed to use the bathroom."

Georgia gave an elegant chuckle. "Lucian has always been like that. Don’t worry about it, dear. Let’s eat."

Cordelia forced a smile, nodding as she took her seat.

But deep inside, she knew.

Lucian didn’t like her.

Lucian was avoiding her at all costs.

Days Turn to Weeks

Time passed, and Cordelia found herself struggling to adjust to the life she was supposedly meant to live.

She had a family now. A mother who doted on her. A playful brother who made her laugh. A home that was grand and luxurious.

But there was something missing.

No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t remember.

And what troubled her more than the empty void in her memories—was the scars.

Long, thin cuts lined the inside of her thighs. Some had faded into faint marks, while others were still fresh enough to sting when she moved a certain way.

She stared at them in confusion every night, running her fingers over the rough texture of her skin.

Why… would I do this to myself?

What kind of pain had she been in that led her to hurt herself like this?

Every time she tried to remember, the same thing would happen.

A piercing headache.

A deep pressure in her skull.

Her vision blurring.

And then, darkness.

Once, she had even fainted from trying too hard.

It was as if her body refused to let her remember.

As if the truth was locked away behind a door she wasn’t meant to open.

The Life Georgia Created

Despite her internal struggles, Cordelia did her best to embrace the life Georgia had built for her.

Georgia had woven an intricate backstory—one so elaborate that even Cordelia found herself believing it sometimes.

She was now Cordelia Grey, the hidden daughter of the Grey family.

She had childhood friends, names Georgia had plucked from thin air.

She had achievements, certificates placed neatly in a folder as proof of her fabricated excellence.

She had history—even if none of it truly belonged to her.

Georgia had even arranged for Cordelia to attend university alongside Felix. It was another piece of the puzzle to ensure her new identity was seamless.

At times, Cordelia felt happy.

She had people who cared for her now. A future. A second chance at life.

But at night, when she was alone, staring at her reflection in the mirror—

She felt like a stranger.

There were too many questions. Too many missing pieces.

And the scars whispered secrets she couldn’t hear.

Lucian’s Cold Avoidance

While Felix and Georgia welcomed Cordelia with open arms, Lucian remained distant.

He avoided her at every turn, leaving rooms when she entered, keeping conversations short, always maintaining a cool, indifferent attitude.

She wasn’t blind. She noticed everything.

The way his jaw clenched when she spoke.

The way his sharp blue eyes would linger on her, as if studying her—like she was a puzzle he didn’t want to solve.

The way he stiffened whenever Georgia referred to her as his sister.

Cordelia tried not to let it bother her, but a part of her still wanted to ask.

"Did we not get along before?" she had asked Georgia once.

Georgia had simply laughed.

"Oh, you two used to fight all the time," she had said. "But that’s what siblings do. It’s normal."

Cordelia had nodded, but deep down, something didn’t feel right.

Lucian didn’t act like an older brother annoyed with his sister.

He acted like a man who didn’t trust her at all.

A Quiet Night, A Lingering Doubt

One evening, as Cordelia sat on her bed, she traced the scars on her skin absentmindedly.

Her mind was filled with the same questions.

Who was she before this?

Why had she been in so much pain?

And why did Lucian look at her like she was dangerous?

A sudden chill ran down her spine.

She didn’t know why.

But something told her…

She wasn’t supposed to be here.

She wasn’t supposed to be Cordelia Grey.

And if she ever uncovered the truth—

She wasn’t sure if she would survive it.