The night refused to settle. Luna sat on the edge of the bed, Ethan's words still echoing in her mind— "Because of your father." Nothing made sense anymore.
"My father was just a normal man…" she whispered.
Ethan didn't reply.
That silence made her chest tighten.
"Say something," she said, looking at him.
He met her eyes, calm but serious. "He wasn't normal."
Her head shook instantly. "No… you're wrong."
"I'm not."
She stood up, pacing. "You don't know him. We struggled our whole life. There was nothing special about him."
"That's what you were meant to believe."
She stopped. "What does that even mean?"
Before he could answer—
Beep.
Both of them froze.
Ethan's expression changed immediately. "That's the security system."
Another beep. Then a red light flashed near the door.
PERIMETER BREACH
Luna's breath hitched. "Someone's inside…?"
Ethan was already moving. "Stay here."
"No," she said quickly. "I'm not staying alone."
He didn't argue this time. "Then don't leave my side."
They stepped into the hallway. The mansion no longer felt safe—it felt watched.
Another sound came from downstairs. A door opening slowly.
They moved together, careful and silent, until they reached the staircase.
The main door was slightly open. Cold air drifted in.
And in the center of the living room—
Someone was standing there.
Tall. Still. Facing away.
Luna's voice dropped to a whisper. "That's him…"
Ethan's body tensed. "Stay behind me."
She did .
Ethan stepped forward. "Who are you?"
No response.
The man didn't move.
Then slowly… he turned.
Luna froze.
His face was clear now—sharp, calm, unreadable.
But something about him felt familiar. Too familiar.
"…No…" she whispered.
She had seen him before.
The man's gaze shifted from Ethan to Luna. A slow smile appeared on his lips.
"Well," he said quietly, "it's been a long time, Luna."
Her heart slammed.
Ethan's voice turned cold. "You shouldn't be here."
The man let out a soft chuckle. "And yet… here I am."
Silence filled the room.
"Who are you?" Luna asked, her voice unsteady.
He looked at her as if he already knew the answer she was searching for. "Someone your past forgot… but your future won't."
Ethan stepped in front of her, blocking her completely. "Leave."
The man tilted his head slightly. "You're still protecting her."
Something about that tone felt personal.
"I won't ask again," Ethan said.
"I'm not here to fight," the man replied calmly. "I'm here to remind."
He took a step back, then another, moving toward the door.
"But don't worry," he added, eyes still on Luna, "we'll meet again."
Luna couldn't move.
"And next time…" his voice lowered slightly, "you'll remember everything."
Then he was gone.
Just like that.
Silence returned, but it wasn't empty anymore. It was heavy.
"Ethan…" Luna whispered.
He didn't look at her immediately.
"He knows me," she said slowly. "And you know him."
A brief pause.
"Yes."
Her chest tightened. "Then tell me… who is he?"
Ethan finally looked at her, his expression darker than before.
"He's the reason your life changed that night."
Luna's breath stopped.
Because now the past wasn't just a memory.
It had a face.
And it had come back.