The rain had finally ceased by the time Su Ruoyan stirred from her slumber. Soft, golden light poured into her room, casting delicate shadows that danced along the familiar ceiling. For a heartbeat, she was caught in a dream-like haze, struggling to distinguish between fantasy and reality. But then, the unmistakable aroma of her mother's favourite sandalwood scent wrapped around her. At the same time, the luxurious silk sheets beneath her felt like they belonged to a world far removed from the ordinary.
She blinked and sat up slowly, wincing slightly as a dull ache reminded her that last night had been all too real. The relentless rain, the quiet, the pain that had followed her, and the stark black car that had whisked her back to this place.
This was home. The word echoed in her mind, both alien and comforting at the same time.
Her eyes roamed the room once more, taking in every detail. The pale cream walls whispered memories, the soft curtains fluttered gently in the morning breeze, and the shelves were lined with books she once adored yet never finished. In the corner, her old piano stood gleaming, patiently waiting, as if time itself had paused in this room. It was a reminder that some things remained untouched by the passage of time.
Her heart ached. The Su Mansion had always been her fortress, but she had been reckless to abandon it for a man who treated her like she was invisible. Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door jolted her from her thoughts.
"Come in!" she called out, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
The door swung open, and there stood her youngest brother, Su Haoxuan, a surprise guest she hadn't expected after his absence the night before. He held a tray laden with breakfast, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I thought you'd still be lost in your sleep!"
Ruoyan couldn't help but grin, her spirits lifting. "Su Haoxuan! Since when do you knock?"
His smile widened, and for a moment, the shadows of her past dissolved in the warmth of family.
He smiled gently. "That was before you became a married woman who disappeared for three years."
Her smile dimmed a little at his words, but he quickly shifted the conversation, placing the tray on her bedside table with care. "Mother had the kitchen prepare something light for you, some congee, a bit of tea, and your favourite sesame buns."
Her eyes softened at the sight. "You all remembered."
"Of course we did." His tone was warm, but his gaze stayed on her face, taking in every hint of weariness. "You look better than what I was told last night, but I can still see that your skin is a bit too pale."
"I'll be fine, Haoxuan," she replied softly, trying to reassure him. "I just need some time to adjust."
Haoxuan paused, settling himself on the edge of the bed. "You don't have to put on a brave face with me, you know. We're family, Ruoyan."
Her chest tightened at his words, the weight of years spent in concealing her vulnerabilities pressing heavily on her. She had long masked her true feelings, fearing that any sign of weakness would only confirm what Lu Shenyang believed, that she was merely a burden. But when her brother's concerned gaze locked onto hers, the emotional walls she had painstakingly built began to crack.
Taking a slow breath, she replied softly, "I know."
Haoxuan reached out gently, reminiscent of the tender moments from their childhood. "You don't have to face him or his family ever again. We'll take care of everything, I promise." His voice held a soothing warmth, a quiet vow that underscored the deep.
"Don't," Ruoyan asserted firmly. "Not yet."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I won't let them know where I am or who I really am," she replied, her voice steady and resolute. "Not until I decide it's time. Let them believe I'm gone as it is what they expect of me anyway."
Haoxuan studied her face intently for a moment, then sighed. "You've changed, sister."
"Pain has a way of changing people, brother," she stated quietly, but with conviction, lowering her gaze.
He fell silent for a moment, then reached for the cup of tea, handing it to her carefully. "At least drink this. You haven't eaten properly these past few days, and it shows. You're getting skinnier."
Ruoyan smiled as she took the cup, feeling the warmth of the tea seep into her hands. The fragrant notes of jasmine filled the air, bringing with them a sense of comfort and familiarity that soothed the parts of her that had felt cold for far too long.
As she set the cup down, Haoxuan rose to his feet. "I'll tell Mother you're awake. She's been waiting since dawn, eagerly hoping for this moment," he said, his voice brimming with anticipation.
Ruoyan's heart fluttered at the thought. "And Father?"
Haoxuan's expression softened. "He's in the study. You know how he can be, there's still a simmering anger within him, not directed at you, of course," he added quickly, catching her concerned look. "It's aimed at them."
A chill rolled through her at the mention, thick with implication. Taking a deep breath, she nodded slowly, "Then I'll go talk to Mother first."
He lingered at the door, looking back once more. "Do you really plan to hide your identity, sister?"
"Yes." Her voice was steady and determined. "The world only saw the frail wife of Lu Shenyang, and they pitied her. But when they see who I truly am," She gazed out the window, her eyes sharp with resolve. "I want them to regret ever underestimating me." Haoxuan smiled slightly, a mix of pride and concern. "Now that sounds like the Su Ruoyan I know."
As the door clicked shut behind him, an unexpected hush enveloped the room. Ruoyan rose with a sense of purpose, moving towards the window as if drawn by some unseen force. The morning sun burst through the remnants of the clouds, casting golden rays over the expansive gardens of the Su Mansion. Her gaze fell upon the cherry trees her mother had lovingly planted.
She pressed her fingers against the cool glass, her reflection staring back at her, a woman marked by loss yet illuminated by newfound strength. In that moment, she realised she had uncovered something far more valuable than what was taken from her.
It's herself.
Opening the wardrobe, she allowed a faint smile to tug at her lips as she surveyed the elegant pieces her mother had chosen for her. With calm determination, she chose a simple ivory blouse paired with dark slacks. When she turned to face the mirror, the reflection that greeted her was no longer that of a fragile woman burdened by grief; instead, she saw a fierce spirit ready to rise anew, quietly and confidently, until the world would remember her name.
By the time she went down the staircase, the mansion was thrummed with life. The cheerful clatter of porcelain and lively conversation filled the breakfast hall, and all the servants greeted her with genuine smiles, their eyes reflecting a deep respect and warmth. "Welcome home, Miss Su."
As she strode through the familiar halls, her heart surged with purpose. Each portrait, each polished marble column, echoed the legacy she had inherited. A legacy she had once set aside for love, but now no more, she was ready to reclaim her place.
At the far end of the corridor, Ruoyan spotted her mother walking toward her; Shen Yuxin's gentle expression contrasted with the worry shadowing her eyes. When their gazes finally met, Ruoyan felt a tightening in her throat, a mix of emotions welling up inside her.
As Yuxin approached and stopped in front of her, her eyes shimmered with relief and a hint of pain. "Yan'er..." The way she said my name was imbued with love and concern, echoing the bond we shared.
Ruoyan's lips trembled as she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mother."
Shen Yuxin reached for Ruoyan's hands, her warmth the very essence of comfort. "Come, sit with me. You must be hungry." She nodded, feeling her resolve waver just a little. "I am hungry, Mom."
As they walked together toward the sunlit breakfast hall, Ruoyan felt a quiet ache in her heart. It was the profound realisation of being seen, loved, and protected in an embrace she had nearly forgotten.
For the first time in years, she allowed herself to breathe freely, relief washing over her as the fear began to dissipate.
But in the depths of Shen Yuxin's eyes, a furious storm brewed, boiling with rage. Those who dared to hurt her daughter would not escape unscathed, and they were about to face the consequences of their actions. The phoenix has returned, and the world will soon know the wrath it has awakened.