Lia kept her gaze down, ignoring every word that spilled from Lucas's mouth.
Selena's eyes flickered toward Lia. She hadn't yet broken Lia's spirit, but with Lucas making his decision so clear, she would side with her son without hesitation.
"Son, are you certain you want her to leave?"
Lucas let out a mocking laugh. "I told you to kick her out ages ago, but you wouldn't do it."
He knew she was strapped for money, and he was certain she'd come crawling back in a matter of days, begging for his help.
Selena thought for a moment, then took her son's arm. "I'll let her go, but you have to promise to behave—no more involvement with those unsavory women."
"Mom, if you had made this decision sooner, I wouldn't have done any of that," he said coolly.
With his mother backing him, Lucas was confident that Lia wouldn't last long on her own. She'd return, desperate for his help.
"Are you sure?" Selena asked with a hint of doubt.
When he was younger, her son had adored Lia, but at some point, that affection turned into a cruel game. It was exactly what Selena wanted to see.
Lia had earned this fate after all these years.
"She's nothing but a nuisance, always interfering in things she doesn't belong in," Lucas said with a sneer. "Do you really think I'd marry her? Not a chance."
Lia felt a pang of pain in her chest. She had tried to convince herself that he despised her, but hearing him say it out loud still hurt.
Selena slapped her son's arm playfully. "Who said anything about marriage? She's just a plaything, not someone worthy of becoming your wife. You can only marry someone from our world."
Lucas's face hardened, his eyes cold. "Then let her go and make sure she never sets foot in the Valen home again."
Selena's gaze shifted to Lia. "Did you hear that?"
"Thank you, Madam," Lia replied, her voice steady.
For the first time in over a decade, she felt truly free. A debt she had carried for years was finally cleared.
With a firm stride, Lia walked away, head held high.
Lucas watched her leave, convinced it was all an act. In a few days, she'd be back, desperate for help with her grandmother's medical bills.
She might look strong, but he knew her too well—Lia was fragile beneath that facade.
"What are you staring at? She's gone," Selena said sharply.
"Mom, do you really think I care about her? She's nothing but a servant."
"Have you really never liked her, not even a little?" Selena asked, half-teasing.
"Are you kidding? I'd rather work myself to death than ever be interested in Lia," Lucas replied with a bitter laugh.
"Alright, enough of that. It's in the past. John's been fired, and she's no longer tied to our family," Selena said, her tone dismissive.
She had deliberately forced John out. Without the Valen family's support and with an ailing grandmother, Lia's life would get much harder.
"Wait—did you fire John?" Lucas looked surprised. John had served the Valen family for many years. His departure severed any lingering connection Lia had to them.
"What difference does it make? Are you still thinking about her?" Selena asked, her voice sharp.
Lucas shrugged. "Do whatever you want, Mom. I'm just glad to be done with her. Why did you adopt her in the first place?"
Selena's face went rigid, and her hands clenched. She recovered quickly, giving a cold smile. "It's all in the past. Focus on getting your father's approval. That's what matters now."
"I know," Lucas replied, his expression distant.
...
Meanwhile, back in her small rented room, Lia began packing her belongings. Leaving the Valen household without incident was the best outcome she could have hoped for. She owed them nothing. From now on, her priority would be to work hard and take care of her grandmother.
*Beep beep beep.*
Her phone buzzed, and Lia glanced down to see Cassius's name flashing on the screen.
"Yes?" she said, adjusting her tone. "Cassius."
A smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Are you finished packing?"
"Almost. I got held up earlier, but I'm nearly done," she said, surprised he had called so soon. "Are you on your way?"
Cassius didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "What's your room number?"
"Number four," she replied without thinking.
"Open the door."
"Excuse me?"
*Open the door?*
Lia's eyes widened as the doorbell rang.
"I'll be right there." She rushed to the entrance.
Through the peephole, she saw him standing there, his phone still in his hand, one hand casually in his pocket. He seemed to sense her watching and leaned in, giving a slight smile.
He looked almost approachable with that smile—his normally cool demeanor softened by the dimples that appeared at the corners of his mouth.
Lia quickly unlocked the door. "What are you doing here?"
He took a slow look around her small apartment before meeting her eyes. He loosened his tie slightly. "I had a dinner nearby."
So that's why he was here. "Oh, please, come in. Sorry about the mess," she said, hurriedly moving a stuffed animal off the sofa to make space.
Her apartment was tiny, barely enough room for a small dining table, a single sofa, and two stools. When her grandmother visited, the limited space became even more cramped.
Cassius's gaze fell on the stuffed pig she had just moved. "How much is the rent here?" he asked casually.
"Nine hundred," Lia answered while straightening up.
For a small, old apartment in the city, it was a good deal. She'd lived here for two years and had grown fond of it.
"Cancel the lease," he said abruptly.
"What?" Lia paused mid-motion, confused.
Cassius unbuttoned his cuffs, his tone even. "You said you wanted to save money. If you're moving in with me, there's no need to keep this place."
She hesitated, biting her lip. It made sense, but she couldn't stay at his place indefinitely. What would happen if he moved on or brought someone else into his life? And her grandmother would visit occasionally, too.
"It's fine," she said quietly.
He raised an eyebrow, then slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. Surprised, she leaned back against the armrest of the sofa, avoiding falling into his embrace.
"Cassius…"
Their eyes met, and his expression softened with amusement.
"Are you still feeling feverish?" he asked, his voice low.
"No," Lia replied, turning her face away. "I'm fine."
"Your cheeks are still flushed," he observed, leaning closer.
Lia's breath hitched. "I'm just... warm."
He seemed unconvinced, his gaze flickering down to her lips. "Your lips look dry. Why don't I check?"
Instinctively, Lia licked her lips, and his eyes darkened.
His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Checking with a forehead touch isn't accurate."
"Then I'll get the thermometer," she said quickly, trying to pull away, but he held her fast.
"No need," he murmured with a teasing smile. "There's another way."
"What do you—"
Before she could finish, his hand cupped the back of her head, and his cool lips pressed against hers, stealing her breath away. He kissed her, plundering the sweetness in her mouth.
Lia never imagined that his idea of a "test" would be this.