Selina returned to the Vale mansion the next evening.
The moment the car stopped before the grand entrance, memories crashed into her violently.
The marble stairs.
The glowing chandeliers beyond the windows.
The house she once called home.
And the same house where they had stood silently while she fell to her death.
Her fingers tightened slightly against the car door.
"Selina?" Livia called gently from ahead. "Aren't you coming inside?"
Selina blinked once before stepping out quietly.
Rain clouds still lingered above the city, covering the mansion in dull gray shadows. Staff members greeted her politely as she entered, but this time she noticed something she had ignored her entire life—
their sympathy.
As if everyone in this house already knew she was different.
Dinner that night felt suffocating.
Damian sat at the head of the table reading business reports while Rowan scrolled through his phone casually. Elara spoke excitedly about an upcoming charity event, her voice warm and bright enough to fill the room.
Usually, Selina would've listened carefully.
Helped organize details.
Offered suggestions.
Tonight, she remained silent.
"Selina?"
Elara looked at her curiously. "You haven't said a word since yesterday."
Selina calmly continued eating.
Rowan frowned slightly. "Did the accident scare you that badly?"
If only he knew.
Selina finally lifted her eyes.
"It made me realize something."
The table grew quiet.
Damian lowered his paper slightly.
"And what is that?" he asked flatly.
Selina met his gaze calmly.
"That risking yourself for people isn't always worth it."
A strange silence settled instantly.
Elara laughed awkwardly. "That's a little dramatic."
But Selina noticed it—
the brief flicker in Elara's expression.
Unease.
Because something about Selina felt different now.
Sharper.
Colder.
Livia quickly changed the topic. "You should rest for a few more days before returning to work at the hotel."
Normally, Selina would've argued.
The old Selina always prioritized the family business over herself.
But now—
"Okay," she replied quietly.
Everyone paused.
Even Damian looked mildly surprised.
After dinner, Selina walked through the mansion corridors alone.
Every corner carried memories she no longer wanted.
The music room where Elara's performances were praised endlessly while Selina played quietly in the background.
The study where Damian spent hours mentoring Rowan and Elara but barely acknowledged her presence.
The balcony where she once waited for someone to notice she was hurting.
How pathetic she had been.
No.
Not pathetic.
Just unloved.
Selina entered her bedroom and closed the door softly behind her.
Silence filled the room instantly.
Slowly, she walked toward the mirror.
The girl staring back at her looked exactly the same.
Soft features.
Tired eyes.
Long dark hair falling over pale shoulders.
But inside—
everything had changed.
She touched the faint bandage near her forehead.
Then suddenly—
silver eyes flashed through her mind again.
Cold.
Sharp.
Watching her through the rain.
Her breathing slowed.
She remembered the warmth of his chest against hers...
the heavy jacket wrapped around her...
the way his arms held her so carefully after she fell.
And then—
those words.
"I finally found you."
Selina frowned slightly at her reflection.
Found her?
How could someone she had never met say something like that?
Who was he?
Why had he sounded relieved... almost desperate?
And why did it feel like those silver eyes carried years of searching behind them?
A strange uneasiness settled in her chest.
The memory felt too real to be a dream.
But if she truly died that night...
then how had she returned here?
Selina closed her eyes slowly.
Nothing made sense anymore.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Selina?" Elara's voice came softly from outside the door. "Can I come in?"
Selina's gaze darkened slightly.
In her previous life, she would've opened the door immediately.
Welcomed her sister inside.
Smiled.
But now—
"No."
Silence followed outside.
Elara sounded surprised. "...what?"
"I want to sleep."
Another pause.
Then slowly, footsteps retreated down the hallway.
Selina stood motionless in the quiet room afterward.
For the first time in her life—
she had chosen herself over someone else's feelings.
And strangely...
it didn't hurt at all.