Morning light poured softly through the tall windows of the mansion.
Today was the anniversary party.
A day that was supposed to be beautiful.
But inside Xiamen's chest, there was only fear.
A knock sounded at the door.
A staff member entered, holding a large gift box.
"From Mr. Hong."
Inside was a soft, elegant dress in blue , gentle color — something only Hong Yi would choose.
Underneath was another box.
Inside it:
A tiny suit.
Haoyu's size.
Xiamen froze.
Her fingers trembled as she touched the soft fabric.
He prepared this… for Haoyu…
She forced herself to stay calm.
No one must know Haoyu is gone.
Not yet.
Not until she knows the truth.
She hung the little suit back, untouched.
The mansion came alive.
Music. Laughter. Polite conversations. Glimmering lights.
Business partners. High society ladies. Politicians.
Everyone smiling.
Everyone pretending.
Xiamen walked down the stairs in the dress Hong Yi sent.
Beautiful. Graceful. Broken.
People admired her.
"How lovely." "She's perfect for Chairman Hong."
She is beautiful..
No one asked:
Where is the child?
No one noticed.
She made sure of that.
Her smile was flawless.
Her heart was not.
On the balcony above, Hong Yi stood alone.
Hands in his pockets.
Eyes scanning the crowd.
Searching.
Waiting.
He wasn't looking for guests.
He was looking for her.
For the right moment.
Because there was something he needed to say.
Something that might change everything.
Xiamen… You can't leave. Not now. Not with him out there.
My enemy. And your father. Both hunting Haoyu.
He tightened his fists.
I have to make her stay. Even if she hates me for it.
Music softened.
The lights dimmed slightly.
Xiamen stepped out onto the balcony.
Cool night air touched her skin.
She saw him standing there.
"…You sent the dress," she said quietly.
Hong Yi turned.
"You wore it."
A pause.
A thousand unspoken things between them.
He opened his mouth.
"Xiamen… there's something I need to tell you."
She looked at him.
Serious.
Guarded.
He stepped closer.
"You need to stay here. For a while. With me."
Her breath stilled.
"…Why?"
He was seconds away from saying Haoyu is in danger.
From saying Your father is involved.
But then—
A noise.
A soft thud behind them.
A shadow falling against the glass door.
It was slow.
Heavy.
The balcony door slid open.
A figure stepped in.
Everyone below kept laughing.
Drinking.
Unaware.
But up here—
the world collapsed.
It was Anna.
Her hair was messy.
Her clothes torn.
Blood staining her sleeves.
Bruises on her face.
A deep scratch across her neck.
She looked like she had crawled out of hell just to make it back.
Xiamen's eyes widened.
"…Anna?"
Anna looked at her.
Eyes trembling.
She dropped to her knees.
Her voice broke.
"I'm sorry… Xiamen…"
Her hands shook violently.
"I couldn't protect him…"
The world went silent.
Xiamen's heart stopped.
Hong Yi stepped forward instantly.
"What happened?"
Anna swallowed hard.
Tears finally fell.
"They… stopped the car…"
Her hands curled into fists.
"Men… from Chairman Lin Chengwei."
She looked straight at Xiamen.
And whispered the words that destroyed everything:
"They took… Haoyu…"
The party music continued downstairs.
Laughter echoed through the mansion.
Glasses clinked.
While on the balcony…
Xiamen felt her legs give out.
The world tilted.
Her lips moved silently.
"…No…
My son...