CHAPTER 5:Mia Nora Encounter

Preparations had started early in the morning, and for once, Ken was personally involved in the arrangements. The maids scurried about, the halls gleamed, and the garden was trimmed with precision. Everything had to be perfect. Mia watched from a distance—half-hidden behind a marble pillar. Her small hands clutched the edge of her sweater. She was quiet, her eyes flicking from the bustling workers to Ken as he gave direct orders with a rare intensity.

Selene, standing a little closer, noticed the anxious tension in the girl's posture. Mia's energy vibrated with silent curiosity and suspicion. She could almost hear her tiny voice asking, who was all this for?. She was trained to read people—and this child was not just watching; she was calculating.

Later, as the last rays of sunlight stretched through the estate windows, Ken approached Mia. "A friend is coming over," he said gently. Mia gave no response, only a slow, deliberate nod.

When Nora arrived, it was with elegance. She stepped out of the luxury car with a grace that demanded attention. Hair pristine, dress crisp, her every movement was poetry in motion. But Mia didn't come close. Instead, she hid, half-cloaked in the shadows beside Selene. Ken personally led Nora to the parlor. Selene didn't need to give orders; a maid gracefully came in and offered tea, from how she did it, it was as if it wasn't the first time receiving her.

Ken called out for Mia to come forward. Mia's grip tightened on Selene's sleeve. She shifted behind her, peeking out with narrowed eyes. Selene looked down and studied her. The girl's energy had moved from anxious to defensive. She doesn't like this woman, Selene thought. She doesn't even know her, and yet she's trembling.

Selene bent down slightly. "It's alright. I'm right here," she whispered. Still, Mia didn't move.

Ken gestured again. Selene hesitated, then slowly led Mia forward. Nora smiled, kneeling slightly to seem less intimidating. "Hello there. You must be Mia. I've heard so much about you."

Mia said nothing.

"She's shy," Ken said, placing a gentle hand on her back. "She's… my daughter now."

Nora's smile froze. Her eyes darted to Ken. "Daughter!"

"Yes, my daughter," Ken said.

"Do you understand what that means?" she asked quietly, her voice laced with disbelief.

"I do," Ken replied without flinching. "And I don't regret it."

There was a heavy silence. Nora looked at Mia. Mia looked back. That voice… I've heard it before, Mia thought. T

Nora stared. Those eyes… I've seen them somewhere, she mused. Her small hands trembling, Mia reached back and grabbed Selene's finger tightly.

Selene cleared her throat. "Excuse me. It seems it's already time for the young miss`s advanced math lessons." She bowed and gently guided Mia away.

Once alone in the corridor, Selene crouched. "Do you know her?" she asked softly.

Mia opened her mouth as if to speak, then glanced over Selene's shoulder. Her expression changed. She shook her head.

Selene's breath caught. Is someone behind me? Who is it? she checked. There was no one. She had heard that there was always someone hovering around Nora, some say it was her bodyguard, wait, no way. Did she just spot the bodyguard? Nora's so-called invisible shadow? Few ever did. But Mia had. Selene understood instantly—it wasn't safe to speak here.

Later, in the quiet of Mia's study, Selene tried again.

"Do you know her, Mia?"

Mia picked up a pen and began tapping at her notebook. Selene tilted her head. Wait… is that Morse code?

She focused. The message was simple but precise: "I've heard her voice before. And in case you think I'm guessing—I never forget a voice."

Selene sat down, a chill running through her. "So… the theories we have about your past… You know them?"

Mia tapped. "Yes."

"Are they accurate?"

Pause. Tap-tap. "I can't say."

Selene sighed. No matter how she prodded, Mia didn't elaborate. Their relationship had grown over the last few days. Perhaps she should be grateful for even this much.

Nora left the mansion, insisting on seeing herself out. In the dim hallway, she paused. "Investigate the girl," she murmured.

From the shadows, a voice responded, "Yes, Miss."

That night, Selene and Sebastian stood before Ken.

Selene spoke with calm precision.

"Mia was very observant before Miss Kensington arrived—quiet, watching everyone closely, especially Mr. Rowland. When Miss Kensington appeared, she became more cautious around her; she hid behind me, visibly uncomfortable. I was surprised when I learnt that she could use Morse code: 'I've heard her voice before. I never forget a voice." That was the message

She paused, her expression serious.

"Mia also noticed a hidden bodyguard I missed."Selene spoke, glancing at Sebastian, who was clearly baffled." Selene turned to him, her tone cold. "Do better, Sebastian. She noticed someone you didn't. That's unacceptable."

"I didn't...." Selene cuts him off sharply, "You didn't, and that's a problem. I expect better."

Sabastian didn`t dare speak again, he knew better.

He only said, "I`ll look into it."

Ken narrowed his eyes at Sebastian. "From now on, stay close to her. Watch over her—always."

He paused, then added, "Nora once risked everything, infiltrating the organization. It was the most dangerous thing she ever did. Maybe that's when Mia heard her. Maybe… back then, we were closer to the truth than we are now. I trust Nora."

Scene: A Quiet Evening

After a warm bath, steam still curling off her skin, Mia stood on the marble floor of her bathroom, unmoving. Selene gently wrapped her in a soft towel, drying her hair with practiced, motherly hands.

She brushed the silky strands carefully, then dressed Mia in high-quality cotton robes, the color a soft ivory. Selene followed her silently through the halls.

At a corner, Selene and Sebastian exchanged positions. Mia noticed but didn't even turn her head.

"Sebastian," she called quietly.

"Yes, young miss," he responded.

"I don't want to criticize your work or anything," she said in her usual calm, bored voice. "But… you do know he hasn't left the villa, right?"

Sebastian froze. "He… what?"

"He's escaping," Mia said.

At that moment, Sebastian sensed it too. He turned and bolted back down the hallway. A figure—a blur—jumped out the window.

By the time Sebastian reached the spot, the person was gone.

Mia only watched.

She turned back and walked calmly to her room.

Sebastian stood frozen. No one had ever gotten past him. As he watched the girl disappear down the hallway, one thought chilled him more than any intruder; he noticed it only then

He couldn't feel the girl`s presence, apart from her footsteps—just the light taps of bare feet on tile. No breath. No presence.

Was he losing his edge?

And to make it worse, she is probably using that to mask the fact.