"As I stepped out of the Kaelin mansion, a wave of sadness washed over me."
"Lucien had walked this corridor a thousand times. And now, he was gone—just like that. His family didn't even notice. Didn't ask. Didn't care. I let out a bitter snort."
Lucien Malric Moreaux—your mother died too early, your father never once looked back at you, and now you're gone too. But holy crap… why did I have to transmigrate into your body, take on your sorrows and your pain? Why me? Why do your wounds ache like they've always been mine? I didn't ask for this emotional rollercoaster. And you bumbling fairy, don't you dare show up again.
"Brother, you came. Hahaha! Finally realized you can't survive without the Kaelin name and house, huh?"
I didn't even need to look. That annoying voice could only belong to one person—Lucien's stepbrother. His father's mistress's lovechild. The forever side character of my life: Silencer Kaelin.
I said nothing and kept walking.
But of course, that Silencer moron blocked my way like he was auditioning for a third-rate villain role.
"Why the rush? The show hasn't ended yet."
I looked at him, unimpressed.
"What trick are you pulling this time?"
And then—without warning—he grabbed my hand and flung himself backward onto the ground.
I stood there, staring in pure disbelief.
Does he have a mental illness? A parasite in his brain, maybe?
"Lucien!"
A dramatic shout echoed across the hallway.
I turned my head.
Oh look, the man himself—Lucien's useless excuse of a father.
"How dare you push your brother!" Mr. Kaelin shouted like he was some noble patriarch in a Manhua.
Then came the mistress, running over with crocodile tears and shaking lips.
"Lucien! You can't hit your brother because of my mistake!"
"Mom, don't cry," said Silencer, noble and fragile as ever. "Brother didn't mean it. Father, please don't blame him. Brother, if you want, I'll give you the entire Kaelin business. Just… don't be mad at Dad. I beg you."
I blinked.
How do you even describe the level of shock I felt?
Did I just walk into a live-action manhua adaptation?
Holy shit.
I giggled. Audibly.
"Look at your brother," Mr. Kaelin pointed like a director cueing emotion. "You should learn from him. You dare bully him? I don't need a son like you. Get out of the Kaelin mansion! And don't come back until you've changed!"
I shrugged.
"Sure, Mr. Kaelin. But do teach your golden son not to show his face around me once he leaves the mansion. Because if he crosses my path again, I'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget."
And then I turned to Silencer Kaelin, smiling just enough to sting.
"And you? Stop acting like some pitiful lead heroine in short drama. You're not even a good extra."
I could tell from the look he gave me—like he wanted to send me back to the worm I crawled out of. Not even a wormhole, no, that would imply some sci-fi dignity. Just a plain, slimy worm. Maybe even a maggot. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched like he was chewing on the fact that I was still breathing.
But who cares?
I turned around without giving him the satisfaction of a reaction.
I walked toward the road, chin high, heart low, trying not to look like a man who had just been politely but irrevocably dismissed from his own life.
The sun was too bright, the birds too cheerful, and the wind had the audacity to ruffle my hair like I was some windswept romantic hero. Joke's on them. The only thing I was sweeping was my dignity—off the metaphorical floor and into a very real emotional dumpster.
---
"Okay. So how do I go back now?" I mumbled, staring blankly at the unfamiliar street."I don't even know where I live."
Lucien—oh, Lucien, you fool. I cursed myself. Why didn't I bring a car? Why didn't I think?
I miss Shan now. Painfully. Bitterly. That walking-talking GPS in a suit would've had me home, fed, and emotionally stabilized by now. If only he were here…
And as if the universe hadn't done enough, I'd even forgotten to bring my phone. Brilliant. Just brilliant.
I let out a sigh that could qualify for a tragic monologue and started walking, absent-mindedly.
Everything was happening too fast. Too surreal.
I even started doubting my identities.
Was I ever really Lucien Chakma?
Was there ever a Lucien Malric Moreaux?
Or had I just woken up inside someone else's nightmare? Or what if I'm actually in a gaming world as a side character? Uhg! "Hunger does strange things to the brain—like inviting every stupid thought to throw a party in the head.
My stomach let out a loud, theatrical grrrr-rrgle that echoed like a beast demanding sacrifice. Lucien, seriously, what kind of father did you have? A billionaire with zero hospitality? The man didn't even toss me a crumb!"
When I was deep in thought a voice: "I'm behind you..." came a creepy whisper.
"AHHH!" I screamed like a banshee in a blender and flailed backward like a dying swan. My hand connected with a nose—*a real human nose.*
"Sweet holy Jesus!" Shan yelped, stumbling back, one hand clutching his nose. A small drop of blood trickled down. "It's me, Mr. Moreaux!"
"You psycho!" I gasped, heart hammering like it was trying to break out of my chest. "I almost peed my pants!" I almost lost my soul for the second time.
Still gripping his nose, Shan grumbled, "That's no way to treat the man who schedules your meetings and signs your dry-cleaning receipts."
"When did you even sneak in?" I asked, still panting like I'd run a marathon in my mind.
"When you were missing me, Mr. Moreaux," he said, straight-faced as ever. "I was behind you the whole time. You didn't even notice. Mumbling to yourself like a lonely ghost.
"1050 will be deducted from your salary this month," I said to Shan with an evil smile, savoring the way his soul momentarily left his body. Payback for scaring me.
"Mr. Moreaux, I'm not married yet! Don't take payback from my sweet paycheck!"
We have another meeting this evening. "Let's go have lunch," I said with a smirk.
Like I hadn't just flipped her entire schedule upside down and lit it on fire with charm.
---