Cordelia gasped, her body jerking awake as she clawed at her throat, desperate for air.

Darkness still clouded her vision, the suffocating grip of water lingering on her skin as if she were still drowning.

Her heart pounded violently, sweat trickling down her temples as the vivid images of her dream remained burned into her mind.

No—not a dream.

A memory.

She could still hear the laughter, the cruel whispers, the mockery in their voices.

The dark-haired girl, her delicate face twisted into something vile, had stepped forward and hugged her—her warmth an illusion of comfort before she leaned in and whispered:

"You deserve to die."

Then, the merciless push.

Cold water surrounding her.

Darkness swallowing her whole.

And then—nothing.

Cordelia gripped the sheets, her fingers trembling as her breath came out in harsh pants.

A single name surfaced in her mind, piercing through the fog of her buried past like a blade.

Ophelia Winter.

Cordelia's chest tightened, and she shut her eyes as if that could silence the rage rising inside her.

The betrayal. The pain. The cruelty.

It had all come from her.

She had suffered, been cast aside, been thrown away like trash—and all because of Ophelia.

Her nails dug into her palms as she made a silent vow.

This lifetime, I will never forget what she did to me.

And I will make her pay.

A hundred times over.

A Few Days Later—The Grey Estate

The morning air was crisp as Felix leaned against the front door, casually adjusting the cuffs of his shirt as he waited.

"Lia, hurry up!" he called impatiently, checking the time on his watch.

The sound of hurried footsteps followed before Cordelia rushed out of her room, grabbing her bag as she skidded to a stop in front of Georgia.

"Bye, Mom. Love you!" Cordelia said quickly, pressing a kiss to Georgia’s cheek before bolting past Felix and out the door.

Felix snorted, following after her.

Georgia sighed dramatically, crossing her arms as she turned to Lucian, who had been silently watching the entire exchange.

"At least Lia listens to me," she muttered, shaking her head. "Damn those other two."

Lucian’s gaze lingered on the door where Cordelia had just left.

His expression unreadable, he exhaled slowly before saying, "How long?"

Georgia blinked, caught off guard. "What are you talking about?"

Lucian's eyes darkened. "It’s been two months since we took her in. How long are we going to keep this up?"

Georgia sighed, rubbing her temples.

"I understand you don’t like sudden changes," she began, but Lucian immediately cut her off.

"That’s not what this is about," he said, his voice sharp. "I don’t think it’s right to keep lying to her. We’ve made her believe she’s someone she’s not."

Georgia rolled her eyes and scoffed. "So should I just tell her everything?" she asked coolly.

Lucian didn’t hesitate. "Yes. It would be for the best."

A tense silence settled between them.

Georgia stared at her son for a long moment before shaking her head.

"I know you hate lies," she said softly, "but I refuse to let her leave until she regains her memories."

Lucian clenched his jaw, clearly wanting to argue further. But deep down, he knew his mother well enough—once she made up her mind, there was no changing it.

He sighed heavily, raking a hand through his hair.

Georgia smiled then, a rare genuine smile.

"I’m happy to have her here," she admitted. "She makes this place feel… warmer. So please stop being cold and avoiding her.”

Lucian studied her expression, seeing the sincerity behind her words.

For the first time, he found himself hesitating.

After another pause, he finally exhaled in defeat.

"I’ll try," he muttered.

Georgia's smile widened. "That’s all I ask."

But as Lucian turned and left the room, his mind remained unsettled.

Because no matter how much his mother wanted to pretend—

Cordelia Grey was not who she thought she was.

And when the truth finally came out—

Lucian had a feeling it might destroy them all.