May woke slowly, the kind of waking that felt unfamiliar and gentle.
For a moment, she did not know where she was. The bed beneath her was too soft, the air too quiet. Then memory settled in, piece by piece. The bus. William. The hotel.
Room 999.
She turned her head slightly, sunlight filtering through sheer curtains and spilling across the room in warm streaks. Her body felt heavy, relaxed in a way she had not felt in months. She glanced toward the clock beside the bed and frowned softly.
Late afternoon.
She sat up quickly. "Oh no…"
She pushed herself out of bed, the bathrobe still wrapped around her, and padded across the carpet. Her bag lay untouched near the door, everything still exactly where she had left it. For a brief moment, anxiety stirred.
What if this was all temporary?
What if she had stayed too long?
A soft knock sounded.
May froze.
Her heart skipped, instinct pulling her back into old fear. She moved slowly toward the door, peering through the peephole. A man stood outside, tall and neatly dressed in a dark suit. His posture was calm, professional.
She opened the door just a little. "Yes?"
He inclined his head politely. "Good evening, Miss Blackwood."
Her stomach dropped.
"I think you have the wrong room," she said quickly. "I am not Miss Blackwood."
The man did not react. Instead, he glanced down at the tablet in his hand, then back at her.
"Please allow us inside," he said smoothly, stepping forward.
She hesitated. "Sir, I really think—"
Before she could finish, he gestured behind him. Two women stepped into view, one carrying a large case, the other holding garment bags.
"Dinner preparations must begin," the man continued, as if she had not spoken at all.
Confusion washed over her.
'William…' she thought. 'This must be William.'
He probably sent them. That had to be it.
She stepped aside reluctantly, letting them in. The man entered first, followed by the women. They moved with quiet efficiency, setting their things down as if they had done this a hundred times before.
"I am Mr. Jin," the man said. "We are on a schedule."
"Oh," May murmured. "William must have sent you."
Mr. Jin did not respond.
The two women approached her gently, smiling. One began examining her hair, the other her face.
"Such beautiful features," one of them said softly.
May blinked. No one had ever said that to her so casually before.
They guided her toward the vanity and sat her down. Brushes, powders, and soft tools appeared. She watched her reflection as they worked, barely recognizing the girl staring back at her.
Her hair was styled carefully, falling in soft waves around her shoulders. Her skin looked luminous, her eyes brighter.
When they finished, one of them lifted a garment bag and unzipped it.
A red dress emerged.
May's breath caught.
It was elegant and bold, the fabric smooth and rich, designed to hug and flow in all the right places. She reached out hesitantly, fingers brushing the material.
"This is for you," the woman said.
"I… I have never worn anything like this," May admitted.
"Tonight you will," the other replied kindly.
They helped her change. When she finally stood before the mirror again, she did not recognize herself at all.
The girl looking back at her was poised. Beautiful. Almost unreal.
Her chest tightened. "Is this… really me?" she whispered.
For a moment, she felt like she was wearing someone else's life. Someone braver. Someone worth looking at.
The door opened suddenly.
William stormed in.
His expression was dark, his jaw tight with anger. His eyes flicked to May for half a second, widening slightly, before snapping back to Mr. Jin.
"Who sent you?" William demanded. "I did not."
Mr. Jin remained calm. "Your brother did."
William stiffened. "My brother?"
Before he could say more, another presence filled the room.
Kai stepped in.
He moved with quiet confidence, dressed impeccably, his gaze sharp and assessing. His eyes landed on May and lingered there.
Silence fell.
William turned. "Kai?"
Kai smiled faintly. "Good timing, it seems."
"You had no right," William snapped. "She is not your property."
Kai's eyes never left May. "Neither is she yours."
May's heart pounded as the tension thickened.
"I was going to take her out," William said. "Show her London. Dinner. Normal."
Kai tilted his head. "Normal is boring."
He finally looked away from May, meeting William's gaze. "Dinner is canceled."
William took a step forward. "You do not get to decide that."
Kai's smile faded slightly. "I do."
May stood there, frozen between them, unease creeping up her spine. She did not understand what was happening, only that something had shifted.
Kai glanced back at her once more.
"We will speak later," he said quietly.
Then he turned and left, Mr. Jin following.
William exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
"I am sorry," he said to May. "This was not how today was supposed to go."
She swallowed. "Who… who is he?"
William hesitated. "My brother."
And somehow, that answer made everything worse.