Before she could hang up, Lucian spoke, his voice firmer this time. "Wait."

There was a brief silence. "I need to talk to you."

Lana sighed softly. "What is it?"

Lucian paused for a moment before asking quietly, "Is something bothering you?"

His tone was filled with seriousness, and for a brief second, Lana fell silent.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her phone, her lashes lowering as if she were trying to hide the emotions flickering in her eyes.

Then she shook her head lightly.

"It’s nothing," she said quietly. "I’ve just been... busier than usual these days."

There was a pause on the other end.

Lucian didn’t immediately respond.

"You can tell me the truth," he said firmly. "If it’s my mistake, I won’t deny it. If it’s a misunderstanding, I’ll explain it."

His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable sincerity in it.

Lana’s breath caught for a moment.

’Should I ask him...?’

The question burned at the edge of her lips. She almost blurted it out about Thessy, about the photos, and about what exactly was going on between them.

’What if... he really starts liking her...?’

That thought alone made her chest tighten painfully.

But then she stopped herself.

’He’s not the type to cheat...’

She closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself to steady her emotions.

’This... might just be something in the future... something that hasn’t even happened yet...’

Taking a slow breath, she suppressed everything and spoke again, her voice returning to that distant calm.

"It’s just about some investments," she said. "I’m a bit worried about them."

Lucian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he listened.

He didn’t believe her.

But before he could press further, Lana added quickly,

"I’ll talk to you later."

And with that, she ended the call.

The screen went blank.

Lana stared at it for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

"Please... don’t fail me. Lucian..."

On the other side, Lucian lowered his phone slowly, his brows drawn together.

’She’s hiding something...’

That night, he made a decision. If she wouldn’t tell him the truth willingly...

’Then I’ll have to find another way.’

Closing his eyes, he gathered his energy, focusing on the faint connection between them. Slowly, carefully, he began to pull her consciousness toward him.

Meanwhile, Lana, exhausted both mentally and physically, felt an overwhelming wave of drowsiness wash over her. Her body grew heavy as she lay down on the bed, her thoughts blurring.

Within moments, she fell asleep. When she opened her eyes again, she froze.

This was not her room. Her gaze swept across the surroundings before realization dawned on her.

’This... is Lucian’s room...’

But not the one she knew. Just then, the door opened and Lucian walked in.

When he saw her, a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Lana."

His voice was gentle.

Lana looked at him but didn’t move closer this time. Her expression remained calm, almost guarded.

Lucian walked over and sat beside her, his gaze studying her carefully.

"What happened?" he asked softly. "You seem... off. Is something bothering you?"

Hearing the concern in his voice, Lana felt a flicker of surprise. ’This... feels different...’

Her thoughts grew uncertain. ’Can this version of him... actually think on his own...?’

She parted her lips slightly, about to speak, but before she could, Lucian lifted his hand and placed it gently on her head.

A strange warmth spread through her mind. Her vision blurred.

Her consciousness began to fade, her resistance weakening without her even realizing it.

’What... is happening...?’

Her thoughts slowed. And then, she started answering. Honestly.

Every doubt. Every insecurity. Every fear she had been hiding.

The words flowed out of her uncontrollably.

And when it was over, her eyes snapped open. She was back in her own room.

Meanwhile, Lucian slowly lowered his hand, his expression darkening as he processed everything he had just learned.

’So that’s it...’

Lana wasn’t angry. She was insecure. The realization made his chest ache.

’How much did she suffer... in that life...?’

A deep guilt settled within him. ’I can’t keep her in the dark anymore...’

Taking a slow breath, his eyes hardened with resolve. ’It’s time to tell her everything.’

He picked up his phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, the call connected.

"I’m going to tell her the truth," Lucian said without hesitation.

There was silence on the other end for a moment before Axel spoke.

"If that’s your decision... then I agree."

Lucian nodded slightly. "Then let’s do it."

Meanwhile, within the Almond family estate, tension had reached its peak.

They had finally discovered the maid responsible for mixing the truth potions.

The revelation had thrown the entire household into chaos.

For days now, things had been going wrong repeatedly, as if misfortune had taken root within their home. Even their routines had been disrupted, forcing them to cancel important engagements.

When they finally caught the maid, rage surged through them. "How dare you?!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

They were ready to punish her on the spot. But the maid had been prepared.

The moment she sensed danger, she activated a teleportation talisman.

In an instant, she vanished.

When the family realized she had escaped, their fury only intensified. "Useless!"

"What kind of security is this?!"

Voices overlapped as they argued heatedly, frustration boiling over. Eventually, they gathered together, trying to think of a solution.

The eldest son spoke first, his tone calm but thoughtful.

"I suspect... Lana is behind all of this."

There was no hostility in his voice, only a faint trace of admiration.

"To stay hidden for so long... and infiltrate us like this... it’s impressive."

Mrs. Almond, however, slammed her hand against the table, her face twisted with anger.

"That girl?! She dares to go against us after everything we’ve given her?!"

Her voice rose sharply, filled with indignation.

Brenda, who had been standing quietly, suddenly stepped forward.

"Everything you’ve given her?" she repeated, her tone laced with disbelief. "What exactly did you give her?"

The room fell silent.