The late afternoon sun cast golden hues across the university campus as students filed out of lecture halls, chattering about assignments and weekend plans. Lia walked steadily down the path, her attention absorbed in her phone as she scrolled absentmindedly.

Then, a notification popped up on her screen.

Her brows furrowed.

A strange, unsettling feeling settled in her chest, but before she could read further—

"LIA!"

Felix’s voice rang across the soccer field.

Startled, she looked up and saw him waving at her, a towel draped around his neck as he jogged toward her. His hair was damp with sweat, and he wiped his forehead with the towel as he approached.

Lia crossed her arms. "What’s wrong?"

Felix grinned. "Hey, Vocal Cord," he greeted in a teasing tone.

Lia’s expression darkened instantly. "Do you want to die?"

Felix laughed, only for his amusement to be cut short as Lia swung a punch at him. He barely dodged it, stumbling back dramatically as if fearing for his life.

"Alright, alright! Chill out!" he whined, lifting his hands in surrender. "Anyway, I need you to tell Mom I’ll be staying at a friend’s place tonight."

Lia scoffed. "Text her yourself."

"You know she never checks her messages," Felix pouted, feigning helplessness.

With an exasperated sigh, Lia rolled her eyes. "Fine. See you tomorrow."

Felix nodded, but just as she turned away—

"Later, Vocal Cord!"

She whipped back around, eyes blazing.

"You—"

Felix chuckled and threw a set of car keys her way before sprinting back toward the soccer field.

Lia smirked as she caught them mid-air. "Thanks, beautiful lady," she called out loud enough for the surrounding students to hear.

Felix shot her a glare, but she only waved at him teasingly before heading toward the parking lot.

"Serves him right," she muttered under her breath as she unlocked the car and drove off.

The Empty House

By the time Lia arrived home, the sky had darkened considerably, heavy clouds rolling in as the wind picked up. The house stood eerily quiet as she stepped inside, flipping on the lights.

"Mom?" she called out, slipping off her shoes.

Silence.

Frowning, she checked the time. It was late for Georgia to still be out.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. A text.

Georgia:

Due to the heavy storm, it’s best to remain indoors and not travel. The maid has already prepared food for you all. Make sure to eat before bed. I’ll be home tomorrow.

Lia exhaled slowly, her grip on the phone tightening.

A strange weight settled in her chest—guilt.

She felt undeserving of Georgia’s warmth, her unconditional kindness.

She had lied to her.

Pretended to be Cordelia Grey.

Pretended to be her daughter.

I’m abusing her kindness, she thought bitterly, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

But she had no choice.

If she wanted revenge—if she wanted to make Ophelia pay—she needed to remain Cordelia.

She clenched her fists, swallowing the emotions threatening to rise.

"I’ll make it up to the Grey family."

She promised herself that.

Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the living room, but suddenly—she froze.

A chilling realization hit her.

If Felix and Georgia weren’t home…

That meant—

She was alone.

With Lucian.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The house suddenly felt much quieter.