The silence in the wrecked tea room was deafening, punctuated only by the heavy breathing of the two men. Liu Hao's last sentence "Do you think only you can time travel?"hung in the air, a chilling confirmation of a new, horrifying reality.
Jingyao's green eyes, moments ago alight with murderous jealousy, now held a deep, profound shock. He slowly released Liu Hao's collar.
"How long?" Jingyao finally choked out, his voice hoarse, the possessive consort veneer shattered. "How long have you been back?"
Liu Hao straightened his robes, the casual gesture a clear sign of his regained dominance. He didn't bother to hide his smug superiority.
"Long enough, Consort Jingyao," Liu Hao sneered, using the insulting title deliberately. "I've been back for three weeks. I came back the moment I saw you walk through the palace gates. It was all the proof I needed that the heavens—or hell—had given me a second chance to right the ultimate wrong."
