Elva sat cross-legged on the bed, completely absorbed in the detailed biology diagram spread open before her.
The page was filled with intricate labels, arrows, and tiny notes she had written in the margins over the past few days. Her pencil moved steadily, tracing a structure, then pausing as she thought deeply before writing a small correction beside it.
Her brows were slightly furrowed, her lips pressed together in concentration.
At that moment, nothing else existed for her.
Not the mansion.
Not the identity she was living under.
Not the life that no longer belonged to her.
Only this—
Her dream.
Her purpose.
Her reality.
And then—
Knock. Knock.
The sound broke through her thoughts like a sudden crack of thunder.
Elva flinched.
Her heart jumped sharply in her chest.
For a second, she froze, her fingers tightening around the pencil.
Another knock followed.
Her eyes immediately darted toward the door.
Fear crept in.
If someone entered and saw the textbook—
Everything would fall apart.
Everything.
Her breathing quickened slightly as she reacted instantly.
She snapped the book shut, the sound louder than she intended in the otherwise quiet room.
Without wasting another second, she got off the bed and hurried toward the wardrobe.
Her steps were quick, almost panicked, though she tried to keep them silent.
She opened the lower drawer and pulled it out just enough to reveal the hidden space beneath the neatly folded blanket.
Her hands moved fast.
She slid the thick medical entrance exam textbook under the blanket, pushing it deeper until it was completely concealed.
Her fingers lingered there for a moment, ensuring it wasn't visible.
Then she closed the drawer carefully—
Too carefully.
As if even the smallest mistake could expose her.
She turned back toward the bed and quickly smoothed the sheets, erasing any signs of disturbance.
Her heart was still beating faster than normal.
Her mind raced.
Calm down.
Act normal.
You are Victoria.
Not Elva.
She straightened her posture, took a small breath, and moved to stand beside the bed.
Only then did she speak.
"Come in," she said softly.
The door opened slowly.
A servant stepped inside, bowing respectfully.
"Madam Victoria."
Elva gave a small nod, her expression composed despite the lingering tension in her chest.
"Yes?"
The servant straightened slightly before speaking.
"Two guests have arrived at the mansion."
Elva blinked, caught off guard.
"Guests?"
Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.
The servant continued in a polite, steady tone.
"Master Matthew's cousins have come to visit."
For a brief moment—
Elva's stomach tightened.
More family.
More expectations.
More eyes watching her.
More chances to make a mistake.
She forced herself to remain calm.
"I see," she said quietly.
The servant stepped aside respectfully.
"Please come downstairs. Madam Elizabeth is waiting."
Before Elva could respond, another maid entered the room.
"I will escort you, Madam."
Elva hesitated for the briefest moment.
Then nodded.
"…Okay."
Her voice was soft, but steady.
She took a small breath, gathering herself, before stepping forward to follow the maid.
Each step she took felt heavier than the last.
Not because of the distance—
But because of what waited at the end of it.
Downstairs, the grand hall was filled with a calm yet expectant atmosphere.
The high ceilings, elegant décor, and soft lighting created an air of sophistication, but beneath it—
There was tension.
Subtle.
Unspoken.
But present.
Louis Salvatore sat comfortably on one of the sofas, leaning back as if he owned the space. One arm rested along the backrest while the other moved occasionally as he spoke, his tone casual and relaxed.
He was engaged in conversation with Philip, who sat across from him with his usual composed demeanor.
Their conversation was light.
Measured.
But observant.
Louis spoke easily, but his sharp eyes missed nothing.
Meanwhile—
Luna sat beside Elizabeth.
Her posture was perfect.
Her expression calm.
But her attention—
Her attention was elsewhere.
Her eyes drifted toward the staircase every few seconds.
Waiting.
Watching.
Anticipating.
Because she wasn't here for conversation.
She was here for one reason.
To see her.
The woman who had taken a place she believed had always belonged to her.
Louis stretched his arms slightly, rolling his shoulders before leaning forward again.
"So, Aunt Elizabeth," he said with a hint of curiosity, "is she really as beautiful as everyone says?"
Elizabeth smiled, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
"You'll see soon."
There was confidence in her tone.
Pride.
And something else—
Satisfaction.
And then—
It happened.
Soft footsteps echoed from the staircase.
The sound was light.
Gentle.
But in the silent hall, it was impossible to ignore.
Every head turned.
Every gaze lifted.
And at the top of the grand staircase—
Elva appeared.
She stood there for a brief moment, framed by the soft golden light pouring in from the tall windows behind her.
The maid beside her carefully held the side of her dress, ensuring it didn't brush against the steps as they began to descend.
Elva's posture was composed.
Graceful.
Her long dark hair fell softly over her shoulders, catching the light with every small movement.
Her eyes remained slightly lowered, her expression calm yet reserved.
Step by step—
She descended.
And with each step—
The atmosphere in the room shifted.
Louis looked up casually at first.
Just a glance.
Just curiosity.
But then—
He stopped.
His expression changed.
Not dramatically.
But noticeably.
Because the girl walking down the stairs…
Was not what he expected.
She wasn't dazzling in an obvious way.
She didn't carry the sharp, commanding beauty of someone who demanded attention.
Instead—
She was something else entirely.
Soft.
Delicate.
Almost fragile.
Like a quiet presence that existed gently rather than forcefully.
And yet—
Impossible to ignore.
Louis found himself leaning forward slightly without realizing it.
His eyes followed her.
Every step.
Every movement.
A thought slipped into his mind—
Uninvited.
Wow…
He didn't say it aloud.
But it lingered.
Across the room—
Luna noticed.
Of course she did.
Her gaze, already sharp, immediately caught the subtle shift in Louis's posture.
The way he leaned forward.
The way his eyes fixed.
The way his expression softened—
Just slightly.
And in that instant—
Something inside her chest tightened.
Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as she looked back toward Elva.
So this was her.
This was the girl.
The one who had stepped into the life she had once imagined for herself.
And now—
She was drawing attention.
Admiration.
Interest.
Luna's fingers pressed lightly against her palm.
Her expression, however—
Remained perfectly polite.
Elva reached the bottom of the stairs.
Her steps slowed as she approached them.
She could feel the weight of their gazes.
The scrutiny.
The expectation.
But she didn't look up immediately.
Instead, she walked forward with quiet composure and bowed her head slightly.
"Good afternoon."
Her voice was soft.
Gentle.
Almost like a whisper carried by the wind.
Elizabeth's face lit up instantly.
"Victoria, come here."
Elva stepped closer obediently.
Elizabeth turned slightly, gesturing toward the two visitors.
"These are Matthew's cousins."
Her hand moved toward Louis first.
"This is Louis Salvatore."
Louis stood up immediately.
Effortless.
Smooth.
His charming smile returned as if it had never left.
"Nice to meet you," he said warmly.
But his eyes—
His eyes still held that same curiosity.
That same interest.
As he looked at her.
Not rudely.
Not obviously.
But undeniably.
Elizabeth then turned toward the other woman.
"And this is Luna Salvatore."
Luna stood gracefully.
Her movements precise.
Controlled.
Her lips curved into a polite smile.
"Nice to meet you, Victoria."
Her voice was smooth.
Perfectly courteous.
But her eyes—
They told a different story.
Cold.
Assessing.
Unforgiving.
Elva nodded respectfully.
"Nice to meet you too."
Her tone remained gentle.
Composed.
Unaware.
Unaware of the silent tension surrounding her.
Unaware of the storm quietly forming.
Because while Luna was studying her—
Measuring her—
Judging her—
Louis—
Couldn't stop looking at her.
There was something about her that didn't fit into the world he knew.
Something untouched.
Something real.
And without even realizing it—
Without intending it—
Without understanding it—
A small, quiet spark had already begun to form.
Deep within his heart.
Something unexpected.
Something dangerous.
Because in a world like theirs—
Nothing ever remained simple for long.