Season 2 — Chapter 5: The Morning After
Morning sunlight slowly filled the room.
Lina stirred slightly in her sleep.
She felt warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
Her fingers tightened unconsciously.
Then—
Her eyes slowly opened.
She froze.
She was lying on the bed.
And Adrian was sitting beside her.
Her hand… was still holding his sleeve.
Her cheeks warmed instantly.
She quickly pulled her hand back.
"You're awake."
Adrian's voice was gentle.
She nodded awkwardly.
"I… fell asleep?"
He smiled faintly.
"Yeah."
She looked away.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize."
Silence filled the room.
Then she asked quietly—
"You stayed here all night?"
He nodded.
Her heart softened.
"You should've rested."
He shrugged lightly.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Her chest tightened slightly.
She didn't reply.
Because she didn't know what to say.
—
Later that morning…
Lina came downstairs.
She saw Sophia sitting in the living room.
"Lina!"
Sophia smiled brightly.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay."
Sophia leaned closer.
"You look better."
Lina smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
Sophia lowered her voice.
"I heard what happened last night."
Lina nodded.
"It was scary."
Sophia sighed.
"Marcus is getting bold."
Lina frowned.
"Do you think he'll actually do something?"
Sophia's expression turned serious.
"Yes."
Lina felt uneasy.
Just then—
Adrian walked in.
He looked at Lina.
"You're up."
She nodded.
"Yes."
He placed a cup of coffee on the table.
"For you."
She looked slightly surprised.
"Thank you."
Sophia smirked quietly.
But she said nothing.
—
Meanwhile…
In another part of the city…
Marcus sat inside his office.
His assistant stood in front of him.
"Boss, last night's plan didn't work."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"It wasn't supposed to."
The assistant looked confused.
"Then…?"
Marcus leaned back.
"I just wanted to scare them."
He tapped his fingers slowly.
"And push them closer."
The assistant frowned.
"Closer?"
Marcus smiled coldly.
"Yes."
His eyes darkened.
"The closer they get… the harder they'll fall."
—
Back at the mansion…
Lina decided to take a walk in the garden.
Fresh air helped calm her mind.
She walked slowly.
But suddenly—
She noticed someone at the gate.
A woman.
Elegant.
Familiar.
Lina froze.
Emily.
Emily stood outside, smiling faintly.
Lina walked toward her cautiously.
"What are you doing here?"
Emily looked calm.
"I wanted to see you."
Lina frowned.
"Why?"
Emily sighed softly.
"To warn you again."
Lina crossed her arms.
"About Marcus?"
Emily nodded.
"He's planning something bigger."
Lina stayed silent.
Emily continued—
"You should be careful."
Lina looked at her carefully.
"Why are you helping me?"
Emily smiled bitterly.
"Because… I lost already."
Lina frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Emily looked toward the mansion.
"He loves you."
Lina's heart skipped.
Emily sighed.
"And I know… I can't change that."
Silence fell.
Lina didn't expect that.
Emily looked back at her.
"But Marcus… he's dangerous."
Lina nodded slowly.
"I know."
Emily turned to leave.
But before leaving—
She said quietly—
"Take care of him… Lina."
And then she walked away.
Lina stood there quietly.
Her heart felt complicated.
Because for the first time—
Emily didn't seem like an enemy.
—
Later that afternoon…
Adrian received a call from Lucas.
"Boss… there's a problem."
Adrian's expression darkened.
"What happened?"
Lucas sounded serious.
"Marcus just bought more shares."
Adrian frowned.
"How much?"
Lucas paused.
"Enough… to become a major shareholder."
Adrian's eyes turned cold.
"So he's making his move."
Lucas nodded.
"Looks like it."
Adrian looked toward the garden.
Where Lina stood quietly.
His jaw tightened.
"This time…"
His voice turned cold.
"I'll end this."