MASTER BEDROOM
Inside, Shen Li lay curled under the thick white duvet, her eyes closed, though her breathing was even, calm, and almost peaceful.
Hearing the door creak open, she fluttered her eyelashes open and peeked up at them, tears immediately gathering at the corners of her eyes.
"Dad… Mom…" she whispered weakly, "You are back… what did he say…?"
Mrs Shen hurried forward to sit by her side, taking her daughter's cold hand into hers soothing and warming it, "Don't worry about anything, Li'er. Just get enough rest, we are right here with you. Your place in this family will never be taken away and never change!"
Shen Li closed her eyes again, a faint satisfied smile curling at the edges of her lips as she squeezed her mother's hand lightly.
That's right. I will never be replaced. No matter who he mourns… I am the one here now. I'm the one present in their lives.
— — — — —
Li Feng sat alone behind his heavy mahogany desk, elbows resting on the cold surface, his hands clasped tightly together as he stared blankly at the reports before him.
His chest felt tight, constricted by an invisible force.
The boys were upstairs, resting under the watchful eyes of the guards. His staff moved silently around the mansion, careful not to disturb the heavy tension lingering in the air.
But for Li Feng, the silence only echoed louder.
"Ruyi…"
He whispered her name so faintly that it was lost to the distant sounds of garden workers tending to the peonies beyond the glass walls.
If you were here… what would you think of me now? Would you still look at me with those gentle eyes… even after what I did to you?
His fists tightened until his nails bit into his palms, his knuckles paling under the strain. A tremor passed through his broad shoulders, his gaze blurring with unshed tears.
I failed you. I failed to protect you. I didn't even try.
A ragged breath escaped him, rough with restrained grief as he pressed a hand against his forehead, his eyes squeezed shut.
Forgive me… please…
He didn't know how long he had stayed like that, whether it was seconds or minutes... until the quiet creak of the study door interrupted his thoughts.
Shen Li stood at the threshold, draped in a pale lavender house dress, her glossy hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes were rimmed red, tears shimmering on her lashes, making her look pitiful and fragile.
But deep within that glassy gaze lay a cold, resolute glint.
"Li Feng…" she whispered softly, stepping into the room, "We need to talk."
He straightened, quickly wiping away the moisture clinging to his lashes, his face returning to its emotionless mask as he regarded her coldly.
"What is it?"
She walked forward until she was standing directly in front of his desk, meeting his gaze without flinching.
"I am your wife," she said quietly but firmly, "I am the mother of your children, and no matter what happened in the past… this is my rightful place, by your side as Madam Li."
His dark gaze sharpened, a flicker of disdain curling his lips.
"Rightful?" he asked softly, his voice edged with frost, "You think this is your right after everything you have done?"
Her lips trembled as tears rolled down her cheeks. She pressed her hand against her chest dramatically, her shoulders shaking.
"Li Feng… I love you. I've always loved you.... Everything I did… I did because I wanted to come back to you, to our family. I am your lawfully wedded wife… no one else has the right to stand here except me."