The taste of cold metal lingered faintly on Grace Wu's tongue as she jolted upright, her breath catching in her throat.
Her eyes darted across the room—familiar yet wrong in all the small ways that mattered. The dim light filtering through the sheer curtains painted soft lines across the hardwood floor.
This was her old apartment.
Grace's hand drifted to the bedside table, fingertips grazing the worn edge of her phone. She lifted it slowly, eyes narrowing as the screen flickered to life.
January 3rd.
A sharp exhale escaped her lips, and she let the phone fall onto the bed beside her.
One year. She'd gone back exactly one year.
The realization settled like ice in her veins.
Her mind raced—scrambling to recall the events of this exact day. The soft thrum of the city outside felt distant, muffled beneath the weight of her thoughts.
Today marked the beginning of Rocky Chan's downward spiral.
Grace swung her legs over the edge of the bed, bare feet pressing against the cool floor. The memory of it all was painfully clear. Anna Feng—Rocky's so-called "innocent" new friend—was already laying the groundwork.
A faint tremor ran through Grace's fingers.
In the original timeline, she had been blind to Anna's manipulations—too loyal to Rocky, too entangled in his life to see the cracks forming beneath him.
By the time Grace realized the truth, it had been too late. Rocky fell. Anna rose. And Grace had been left to clean up the mess—until even she was discarded.
Not this time.
Grace stood, her reflection catching in the full-length mirror beside the dresser.
She studied herself carefully—same sharp brown eyes, same long hair framing her face. Her expression hardened, lips curving into a faint, humorless smile.
This time, I'm not playing the fool.
Her phone buzzed against the sheets, pulling her attention away.
Rocky.
Grace stared at the name flashing on the screen for a long moment before declining the call.
Let him wait.
The old Grace would have answered immediately, jumping at the first sign of his name. She would have juggled his schedule, smoothed over his mistakes, and absorbed his frustrations without question.
But now? Grace set the phone aside with practiced indifference.
The faint chime of an incoming message followed.
Rocky: Where are you? Meeting's in 20.
Her gaze lingered on the text, lips pressing into a thin line.
That meeting. Grace remembered it vividly. Anna would be there.
Grace slipped into the closet, fingers ghosting over the row of neatly pressed blouses and skirts. Professional. Polished. Efficient.
She paused, pulling down a muted grey dress.
Today, she wouldn't be staying long enough for small talk.
The office hummed with the low murmur of conversation when Grace arrived.
Her heels clicked against the tile, drawing brief glances from passing employees. She moved swiftly through the corridor, shoulders straight, chin lifted.
Rocky's office door stood ajar, and through the gap, she caught a glimpse of Anna—her carefully curled hair falling in soft waves as she laughed lightly at something Rocky said.
Grace's hand tightened around the folder she carried.
She knocked once, pushing the door open without waiting for a response.
Rocky looked up, a grin spreading across his face.
"There you are," he said. "I was starting to think you forgot about me."
Grace's gaze flicked to Anna, whose smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I don't forget," Grace replied smoothly, setting the folder down on Rocky's desk. "I just have other priorities."
Anna's eyes narrowed slightly, but Rocky chuckled.
"Busy as always," Rocky teased. "That's why I keep you around."
Grace allowed herself a faint smile, though it felt more like a mask.
"I won't stay long," Grace said, already stepping back toward the door. "I just wanted to drop off the final document for the Chan Holdings expansion. You'll need to sign them by the end of the day."
Rocky blinked, tilting his head.
"You're not staying for the meeting?"
Anna's gaze sharpened—subtle, but Grace caught it.
It has been a habit she learn the hard way. Anna was not innocent or harmless like she may appear to be.
"No," Grace said lightly. "I have other appointments. I'm sure Anna can handle the details."
Anna's lips curved just slightly, though her eyes betrayed nothing.
"Of course," Anna chimed in. "I'll make sure everything's covered."
Grace met her gaze head-on, holding it for a beat longer than necessary.
I see you now, Anna.
With a polite nod, Grace turned, stepping back into the corridor without another word.
As the door clicked shut behind her, the weight pressing against her chest lightened—just barely.
It was a small move, insignificant on the surface. But Grace knew the ripples had already begun.
This time, I'm not standing in your shadow.