The faint glow on the horizon shimmered like a distant star, pulling Lin Tian forward. He stood on the edge of the Zhao family estate, his senses heightened as the jade pendant vibrated faintly against his chest. It wasn't just a call—it was a summons.
"Are you leaving again?" Zhao Yue's voice broke the silence. Lin Tian turned to see her standing a few feet away, her expression conflicted. For the first time, there was no disdain in her gaze—only curiosity.
"Why do you care?" Lin Tian's tone was calm, almost indifferent.
Zhao Yue hesitated, her hands clenched at her sides. "I don't. But if you think you can come and go as you please, you're mistaken. The Zhao family might tolerate you, but you're still bound to this marriage."
Lin Tian smirked, the golden hue in his eyes flashing faintly. "Bound? You speak of bonds as if they mean something here. For three years, I stayed because of duty. But now, I have a higher purpose."
"Purpose?" Zhao Yue took a step closer, her voice sharp. "What purpose, Lin Tian? You've been a shadow in this house for so long. Now you act like you're destined for something greater?"
He turned to face her fully, his gaze piercing. "You wouldn't understand, Yue. But soon, the entire world will see me for who I truly am. Including you."
The weight of his words lingered in the air as he walked away, leaving Zhao Yue standing alone, her chest tight with an unfamiliar feeling she couldn't place.