Leaving the hospital

Two weeks had passed since Anna woke up in Shane's body.

She had spent days undergoing physical therapy, slowly regaining her strength. Shane's body was still frail, but Anna could feel the difference—each movement felt less exhausting than before. If she kept this up, she could make this body stronger, healthier.

And then, finally, the doctor called her for a serious conversation.

Inside her hospital room, Anna sat on the bed while a group of doctors stood before her. Mr. Jing, the family's butler, was also present, watching her with quiet concern.

"Can she go home now, Doc?" Mr. Jing asked.

"Yes," the doctor confirmed, glancing at Anna with a warm but cautious expression. "You're doing well, and there's no reason to keep you hospitalized. However, if you're feeling uncertain, you can stay one more night to adjust. Being in a coma can be life-altering, especially in your case."

Anna nodded, keeping her expression neutral, but inside, her thoughts were spinning.

A coma. That was what everyone believed happened to Shane. But for her, there was no coma—just a sudden shift, waking up in this unfamiliar body.

But then the doctor's next words nearly made her heart stop.

"And, of course, there's your recovery from cancer."

Anna's breath hitched.

"...Cancer?" She almost forgot about it. Shane's body have cancer. 

The doctor frowned slightly but remained gentle. "Yes, Shane. It's truly remarkable—you were diagnosed with late-stage lymphoma, and yet… after your coma, we found no trace of it. Your latest tests confirm it."

Anna forced herself to react the way Shane might. She widened her eyes slightly, letting out a small gasp as if overwhelmed.

This was beyond shocking.

Shane Tiu had cancer. But now, she didn't.

Had it somehow disappeared when Anna entered this body? Or had something else happened?

She clenched her hands beneath the hospital blanket.

Whatever the case, one thing was clear—this wasn't just about switching bodies anymore. Something unnatural had happened to both her and Shane.

– 

Anna lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling.

Shane had cancer. But now she didn't. 

It should've been good news, but it only made things more confusing. If she had simply taken over Shane's body, the illness should have remained. But it didn't. That meant something had changed when Anna woke up in this body—something far beyond just switching souls.

And there was still no sign of Shane's soul.

Anna closed her eyes, exhaling shakily.

"Shane, where are you?"

She wanted to believe that Shane had found peace. But something inside her said it wasn't that simple.

The next morning, Mr. Jing arrived early to prepare for her discharge. He was quiet yet efficient, overseeing everything from hospital papers to making sure she had comfortable clothes to wear home.

"Miss Shane, your father has instructed that you return to the main house," Mr. Jing informed her as they walked toward the car.

Anna hesitated. "The main house?" 

Mr. Jing nodded. "Yes, Miss. He wants you home now that you've recovered."

Anna looked down at her hands—Shane's hands—and took a slow breath.

"Alright," she said. "Take me home."

–

When the car pulled up to the estate, Anna couldn't help but stare.

The Tiu Mansion wasn't just big—it was monumental, a symbol of untouchable power and wealth. The towering iron gates parted soundlessly, revealing a driveway lined with perfectly pruned imported trees. At the end of the path stood the mansion itself, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun.

It looked more like a palace than a home, with its grand pillars, vast glass windows, and an architecture that screamed affluence. Every detail was meticulously designed to impress, from the intricate carvings on the massive wooden doors to the marble fountain in the middle of the circular driveway.

Anna had seen rich people's homes before, but this?

This was a different world.

She swallowed, gripping the fabric of her dress.

"This is my home now."

The words felt foreign, like they didn't quite fit. This wasn't just about stepping into someone else's life—it was stepping into a life that was never meant for her.

Mr. Jing opened the car door, offering her a hand, but Anna stepped out on her own. She had to appear strong. As much as she was lost in the unknown, she couldn't afford to let anyone see it.

The moment she entered the mansion, the household staff immediately bowed in respect.

The air inside was heavy with an eerie silence.

Cold. Detached. Lifeless.

For a house so grand, it felt... empty.

Then, from the grand staircase, a slow, deliberate set of footsteps echoed.

A woman descended gracefully, her posture poised and her expression unreadable.

Patricia Tolentino-Tiu.

She was stunning in an artificial way—sharp cheekbones, elegant features, and a refined beauty that only came with wealth. Her deep red dress clung to her frame, her manicured nails tapping lightly on the polished wood of the banister as she walked.

Her lips curved into a knowing smirk.

"So this is Shane's stepmother," Anna realized. Though Anna met her last time when she visited Shane, it feels unreal to know that Shane has a step-mother, instead of a biological mother. 

"You finally decided to come home," Patricia said smoothly, her eyes raking over Anna from head to toe, assessing, calculating.

Anna held her gaze, resisting the urge to shrink back.

She could feel Shane's body react—a slight tremble, a whisper of fear buried deep in her bones.

But Anna wasn't Shane.

She clenched her fists, steadying herself. She didn't know enough to fight back yet, so she forced herself to stay silent.

"Let her rest, Madame," Mr. Jing stepped in, his tone polite but firm. "She just got back from the hospital."

Patricia rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Right. And you're back, too, Mr. Jing? I thought Shane had her own apartment. What are you doing here?"

"It was the Chairman's order," he responded without hesitation.

Patricia's smug expression faltered for a second. "He what?"

She turned to Anna, her eyes narrowing.

"What did you tell your father, hmm?"

Anna blinked, caught off guard. What had Shane told his father when she hadn't even felt his presence since waking up? Shane's father had never visited her—not once. He hadn't even called.

Anna didn't know what to think, so she remained silent, avoiding Patricia's question. She wondered—what was Shane's relationship with her father? And why did Patricia seem so rattled?

Mr. Jing must have sensed Anna's hesitation because he gently took her arm. "Excuse us, Madame. I'll take Miss Shane to her room."

Patricia didn't stop them, but Anna could feel her sharp gaze burning into her back as they walked away.

–

As they moved deeper into the mansion, Anna took in the lavish surroundings.

Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, intricate paintings lined the walls, and the polished marble floors gleamed under the soft lights. The air smelled faintly of expensive wood polish and fresh-cut lilies, yet despite the grandeur, something was missing.

A soul.

"A mansion this big should be full of warmth and laughter," Anna thought.

But here, there was only silence.

Cold. Suffocating.

Each step she took echoed in the long hallway, amplifying the emptiness.

Mr. Jing finally stopped in front of a large wooden door and gently pushed it open.

"This is your room, Miss Shane," he said softly.

Anna stepped inside.

The room was breathtaking—spacious, beautifully furnished, and decorated in soft pastels. A luxurious four-poster bed stood at the center, draped in silk sheets. A crystal chandelier hung above, casting delicate patterns on the walls. On one side, a massive window stretched from floor to ceiling, overlooking a perfectly landscaped garden with trimmed hedges and a serene koi pond.

Yet, something about it felt… wrong.

Too pristine. Too untouched.

Like a museum exhibit rather than someone's actual bedroom.

She walked toward the vanity, running her fingers over the sleek white surface. The glass was spotless, showing no smudges or fingerprints. A collection of untouched perfume bottles sat in a perfect row, labels facing outward like they had never been used. The books on the shelf stood in perfect alignment, their spines uncreased as if no one had ever opened them.

Even the bed—though plush and inviting—looked like it had never truly been slept in.

"This doesn't feel like someone's home," she murmured.

Mr. Jing's gaze flickered with something unreadable. He hesitated for a moment before replying.

"You rarely spent time here, Miss Shane. You preferred to stay in your apartment."

Anna turned to him, her pulse quickening.

She had almost forgotten she was living in Shane's body.

In the past few days, she had been so overwhelmed by everything—waking up in a hospital, realizing she wasn't herself, and now being thrown into a life she knew nothing about. She had never told Mr. Jing she didn't remember anything about Shane's life.

But he hadn't questioned her either.

"Does he already know?"

Or… was he just pretending not to notice?

She swallowed.

"I'm sorry," she admitted, forcing herself to sound uncertain. "I… actually don't remember much."

Mr. Jing studied her for a moment before smiling, but it wasn't a smile of surprise or concern. It was understanding—like he had been expecting her to say that.

"I understand," he said gently. "And it's better if you don't remember what happened to you."

Anna stiffened.

"Better?"

What exactly happened to Shane before she fell into a coma?

Her fingers curled slightly against the vanity table.

"Did she suffer? More than I am suffering now?"

Anna had assumed Shane was just another rich girl with family issues, but now, an unsettling thought crept into her mind.

What if she had been running from something?

And what if… she had been running for her life?

She forced her voice to remain steady. "Why did I—move out?"

Mr. Jing's expression remained neutral, but there was something guarded in his eyes.

"It was the Chairman's arrangement," he answered simply. "But now, he wants you back here."

Anna frowned.

"Why now?"

Shane had been living independently, yet suddenly, she was being forced to return.

And Patricia—who had seemed so composed—had visibly tensed when she heard about it.

Anna sat down on the edge of the bed, gripping the sheets between her fingers.

Something wasn't right.

There was a puzzle here, and she was missing too many pieces.

Mr. Jing bowed slightly. "I'll leave you to rest, Miss Shane. If you need anything, just call me."

Anna nodded absently, watching as he stepped out and quietly closed the door behind him.

As soon as he was gone, she let out a shaky breath.

Her mind was racing.

What exactly had happened to Shane before she fell into a coma?

Why was she forced to come back now?

And most importantly…

Where was Shane now?

Because if Anna was here—alive, breathing—then Shane's soul should be somewhere, too.

Anna didn't have all the answers yet.

But she was going to find them.