For a moment, I was lost in thought, only realizing it days later. My feet carried me back to Damian's mansion, and in just two days, the thing I dreaded most would come to pass.
"You alright?" Kiel's voice broke through my daze, pulling me from the emptiness.
I forced a weak smile before nodding. "Yeah."
He studied me for a moment before sitting across from me, placing a cup of coffee on the table. Leaning back, he blinked slowly. "You don't look okay to me, Sheii."
I averted my gaze, lifting the cup to my lips and taking a tentative sip. Warm. I must have been lost in thought for a long time.
I drew a deep breath, steeling myself. "Kiel… I'm scared."
Silence answered me at first, then a slow, deliberate exhale. "That's so not like you. What's the problem?"
"Dad…" The word escaped me, and my eyes threatened to betray me. "I'm going to see him after ten long years… but I can't bring myself to be happy. I have to fail on purpose—"
"Who said you have to fail?" he cut me off, brow furrowed, eyes piercing.
I frowned, a knot forming in my chest at his intensity.
"So… I'm supposed to kill Dad? Is that it?" I asked sarcastically.
A small smirk tugged at his lips, easing the tension in my expression. I had misread him…
"On that night, you'll. Escaping, just like you've planned for so long. No need to fail—because there's no mission. But why do I feel like you're losing sight of the path I've laid out for you, Sheii? Where are your eyes?" Anger laced his words, and when he spoke again, my throat tightened. "Be honest with me, Sheii. What's the problem?"
I avoided his gaze. I didn't know what the right answer was—or if I even deserved to answer.
"N-nothing," I stammered. "I-I don't know." I quickly retracted it.
I closed my eyes and bit my lip. Tears threatened to spill. Part of me screamed not to admit my foolishness to Kiel, but as a father figure, I couldn't keep this secret from him. I tried to swallow it, but the truth slipped out anyway.
"Leo discovered my secret," I whispered, surprised at my own words. The remaining phrase got stuck in my throat, but soon I forced it out. "But… he's keeping it."
His brow furrowed at my words, and I felt the sting of his gaze as if it were a knife cutting through me.
"What?" One brow arched. "Leo found out?"
My heart nearly leapt from my chest at the calm yet cold tone in his voice. More than my suffering, Kiel's determination to get me out of here, and his morale in defying Damian, overpowered me. He had always been the reason I kept going, even when I wanted to give up.
Tears slid down my cheeks as I dropped the cup and reached for his hand. "Kiel… I'm sorry. I didn't know he was following me. I wasn't careful. But… Kiel, Leo promised me he wouldn't tell anyone—"
He squeezed my hand, standing abruptly, his forehead creased.
"What happened?" he demanded, eyes fixed on me again. "Leo's not the type you can threaten. Sheii… do you know what your words mean?"
"Kiel, I didn't threaten him. I thought he'd kill me, but he didn't. My secret is safe—"
"Safe? With Leo?"
I froze, hesitating. "Y-yes."
He laughed, sharp and incredulous.
"Are you two… involved?" His question was direct.
I looked away. "No."
I managed to say it without faltering, but then Kiel gripped my arms and twisted me toward him. Anger burned in his eyes, yet there was something I couldn't resist looking at. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't release his gaze.
"Lebrina," he murmured, tightening his grip. His jaw was set, and tears glimmered in his eyes. "You can't… you know that. He's a Fontanilla, and you're Artemis' daughter."
Tears fell freely. "I know…" I whispered.
Kiel closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. His grip loosened, hands eventually falling to his sides. "Then… I'll get you out, without incident. If I die, make sure you leave, and return to your father without looking back—"
"Kiel! I can't let you die—"
"Sheii, listen!" He lifted my chin. "The moment you lose control over your feelings, it's like throwing away everything we've endured. Promise me… you'll leave that night. And you won't look back at anyone."
I nodded, almost in disbelief, and a sob escaped me. I don't know what I did to deserve Kiel, but I am grateful that he exists.
He pulled me into a hug, fingers threading through my hair. "This time… I'll really get you out. I promise."
Everything was ready—except me.
I returned to Oxemburge in the afternoon, and I spent the time reflecting on Kiel's plans for my escape.
I had no sense of how long I stood under the cold shower water, only that my mind and heart were in chaos. Before, the thought of leaving the Fontanillas made my heart race with excitement—but now, imagining a life where I would no longer see Leo's face felt like my chest was being squeezed.
Could it be? Could I love him?
I closed my eyes, staring at the ceiling, recalling the words I once swore: I would never love another Fontanilla besides Ace. Could it be possible to open my heart to another?
I exhaled deeply, turned off the shower, grabbed a towel, and stepped out. I walked to the mirror, cleaning myself slowly.
Standing naked, I scrutinized the scars and bruises covering my body. The bullet wounds from Carlos had healed, but faint traces remained. Cigarette burns and other mission-related injuries peppered my skin. Most were faded, blending with my natural tone, yet still noticeable. Thankfully… I was beautiful.
After a few minutes of drying and dressing in shorts and a T-shirt, I stepped out. Leo entered the dorm just as I exited the bathroom. Our eyes met, but I couldn't hold his gaze, so I walked toward my bed without speaking.
But then…
"Where have you been, babe?" Leo asked, wrapping me from behind. His chin rested on my shoulder as he inhaled my scent, making my heart skip a beat.
I didn't respond, only murmuring, "At the mansion. I visited Kiel."
"I see," he said softly, kissing my cheek. "I was handling a transaction earlier in Rizal. I have no idea where Max is hiding now."
I nodded, leaning against him. My pride refused to admit it, but I wanted to stay in Leo's arms. He paused, realizing I wasn't pushing him away, and I laughed.
"What? You don't like me being clingy?" I teased.
Leo laughed, hugging me tighter. "No. It just feels surreal. Are you sure you're not still under the influence?"
"I'm fine," I replied, laughing and facing him. "Aren't you nervous? Weapons are hidden in random spots here—"
He cut me off with a peck. "I'm too enchanted to be scared, Sheii."
Hearing my name from his lips made my chest flutter. I stared at him, filled with a strange unease and joy all at once.
I reached for his lips. He froze, caught off guard, and when my feet touched the ground again, a smile spread across my lips.
"Thank you, Leo. You don't know how much I dreamed of hearing my name like that," I whispered, tears threatening to spill.
His eyes softened, fingers caressing my cheek, as if apologizing for my past use of another name. The resentment and anger I felt toward him vanished.
He pressed his forehead to mine, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry, babe. Sorry that I am a Fontanilla—"
"Stop. Don't mention it. You're Legolas…" I interrupted, touching his cheek. "You're Leo. That's all I want to remember."
I pulled him closer, kissing him again. A sob left me, small but unstoppable.
Time was short, fleeting like the moments that made me fall for Leo. Yesterday I clung, tomorrow I would have to let go.
Leo held me at the waist, responding to the kiss with sincerity. Tears fell again. I didn't want to open my eyes. I just wanted to feel his warm lips on mine.
As his lips moved against mine, reality crept in—the things I had to face: my father, my life. Memories of this hell flooded my mind. My tears streamed, screaming "goodbye" before I could even say "I love you."
I released him slowly, meeting his gaze. He was crying too—but he was happy, while I was not.
"I love you, Sheii. I promise I'll fix the mess with Dad and end all your suffering. Trust me, all this pain will end," he whispered.
I wanted to hope, but I couldn't. I refused to stay under Damian's power even a single day longer. I couldn't choose—because in truth, my choice had already been made. Time for thinking was gone.
I managed a fleeting, playful smile at Leo, wrapping my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. I would savor this while it lasted, and only say goodbye when the time came.