chapter 14:1: shadow beneath the surface

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Maria gasped as Mike deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring the contours of her mouth with possessive heat. Her hands rested on his shoulders—not pulling him closer, but not pushing him away either. His other hand traced the curve of her waist, slow and intentional.

Fuck.

Mike kissed her like a man starved, like she was the only thing keeping him alive. But Maria snapped out of her daze, blinking as she processed what was happening. She quickly shoved at his chest, and Mike reluctantly pulled away, his breath ragged, her lips red and swollen from the intensity. He stared at her, gulping hard, then turned his head slowly—only to meet Neo's wide, stunned eyes.

Neo stood in the doorway, frozen. Then he whistled and strolled in casually, smirking.

"Tsk. Here I was thinking you'd grow grey hairs before you got the girl," Neo teased, flopping onto the couch. "Staying with me really paid off, huh, bro?"

He grabbed an apple from the table, tilted his head, and looked between them, then chuckled. Maria blushed furiously and glared at Mike. Mike, however, just calmly peeled shrimp and placed four pieces on her plate.

"You better have something important to tell me," Mike said softly, "or I'll make sure you regret ruining my moment with my girl."

"I'm not your girl," Maria shot back, but Mike just looked at her like she was a mischievous kitten he adored.

Neo snorted. "Sister-in-law, if you're not his girl, then why were you kissing him like you found treasure in his mouth? Or are you a playgirl, teasing him with your skirt and running away?"

Mike's eye twitched. Neo gave him a pitiful glance. Mike silently picked up a fork and threw it. The fork zipped past Neo's cheek and embedded itself deep in the wall behind him.

"Next time, I'll aim for your face," Mike said in a deathly soft tone.

Neo gulped and raised his hands in surrender. "Fine. News update. The building near the place Maria was held? It caught fire. We investigated and found out it was an underground information center. Also a marketplace for thugs, assassins, and thieves—one of the branches of the X-Knight Organization."

Maria's eyes narrowed. Mike's expression didn't change, but the air around him seemed to darken.

Neo continued, "The security footage we recovered had a glitch. Whenever Maria's friend appears on screen—it goes blank. Every. Single. Time. And get this—he's dealt with the X-Knight Organization before. The same group Ivy paid to send those thugs. Oh—and your friend left a note there."

Neo pulled out a red envelope and placed it on the table. He made a small explosion gesture with his fingers, adding, "And the organization? Boom. Burned to the ground."

Neo turned to Maria with a grin. "Sooo… who is your mysterious friend? He's fun."

Mike continued peeling shrimp like nothing fazed him. Maria gave Neo a sugar-sweet smile.

"I don't know him. And even if I did, why would I tell you? Are you my father now?"

Neo blinked at her, then at Mike, who remained impassive.

"Chill. I'm just curious how someone like that is tied to you," Neo said, standing. "Anyway, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."

As the door closed behind him, the room fell into a soft hush.

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Later that night, back at Maria's home…

The silence was welcome. She needed it. Her nerves hadn't calmed yet. Everything that happened played over in her mind on a constant loop.

If she said she wasn't scared, she'd be lying.

Being reborn… she thought just knowing the future would make things easier. But the deeper she got into this life, the more chaotic everything became. Every secret unraveled only led to another web of lies.

Chris wasn't acting like before. The old Chris barely spoke, like words themselves were poison. His silence had once been intriguing—dangerous in a quiet way. That's what made her believe she could change him.

But now… something felt off. The new Chris felt like someone else entirely.

And Jake?

Jake was like a storm—mysterious, unpredictable, and destructive in ways she couldn't yet understand.

Then there was Ivy. Still insane, still scheming, but she wasn't the only monster in the dark anymore.she needs to learn how to protect herself

Maria rolled her eyes as her phone buzzed with a message. She lay back on her bed and opened her chat with Jake.

Maria: I want a gun.

A moment later, he replied.

Jake: Tsk. I'm a lawful citizen. I don't have connections to guns.

Maria: I'll tell you which stocks to invest in—and which companies will rise next. Just get me a gun. And teach me how to use it.

Jake: Wow, so generous. If you'd just called me your friend, I would've given you the gun and taught you for free. But since you're being so sweet, I'll accept your deal…

Jake: Come on. Say it. "Bestie." Don't be shy.

Maria rolled her eyes and ended the chat. She turned off the lights and curled into bed.

---

Elsewhere…

Jake chuckled softly as the chat ended. He rubbed his forehead, then turned his gaze toward the tied-up man in the corner. The man was a bloody mess—his fingernails torn, lips bruised, blood dripping from a cut on his forehead.

Jake's smile sharpened.

"Stepmother… I'm preparing a surprise. I hope you enjoy it," he whispered.

He walked out of the warehouse with a lightness to his steps, just as a group of masked men entered behind him.

"Ma'am, we have the traitor under control, but... he's been tortured badly," the head bodyguard reported.

A cold female voice came through the speaker. "It seems someone got to him before we did. Most likely those pests helping my stepdaughter. Annoying creatures... leave the area now. It's most likely a trap. And that red letter—put it at the entrance. Let them know exactly who did it."

The call ended. The bodyguard nodded and left with the rest of the unit—unaware they had walked straight into the real trap Jake had laid for them.

---

Meanwhile – At Mike's Hideout

"So let me get this straight... Maria's caught the attention of a lunatic hacker with zero digital footprint?" Jay asked, gently stroking his cat.

Neo nodded. "Not a single CCTV, not even a scrap of ID. It's like the guy was born from thin air."

Mike stayed quiet, scrolling through his phone. Jay's eyes narrowed. "You know something, don't you?"

Neo turned. "You let me chase shadows while you sat there knowing—"

Mike's stare silenced him instantly.

"Brother Mike... I apologize. I'm just asking—what do you know about him?"

Mike leaned back and spoke slowly. "How do you catch someone who doesn't want to be found? You start by figuring out why he's hiding. And then... who he's connected to."

"The Blaze family," he added, tilting his head while sipping wine.

"Shit," Jay muttered. "This just got messier. But Brother Mike, isn't the Blaze family a juicy opportunity for you?"

Jay shook his head. "The Night family can't afford that war yet. And don't forget, the Blaze family heiress isn't someone you take down quietly."

Neo chuckled. "Still, Brother Mike... when will you cut all the weeds and take full control of the Night family? And when will your Black Rose company step into the spotlight? I want to see your relatives' faces when they realize their top rival is you."

Mike's voice was calm but firm. "Five days. That's all I need to burn the weeds. Also, keep an eye on Chris."

Jay and Neo exchanged glances, then nodded.

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Maria's Past Life – Broken

"Chris... I love you! Why don't you ever notice me?" Maria's voice cracked as she sobbed, eyes swollen, heart torn.

Chris said nothing. Like always, he turned and walked away without a word.

She was broken. Rumors of her sleeping with an old man to save her family had spread like wildfire. Then came the lies—Chris kidnapping her, forcing himself on her, marrying her—until she was finally freed. She had no one.

Even then... Chris walked past her like she never mattered.

Her legs moved on their own as her mind reeled through the nightmare.

"You disgusting slut!" her mother screamed.

"You should've killed yourself," her grandmother snapped.

Maria collapsed, trembling.

"You think you're some kind of victim? You slept around like a whore," her mother spat, slapping her hard. "You should look at your sister, then look at yourself. Useless. Stay away from me."

Maria screamed, clutching her chest as her sobs echoed through the room. "Yes! I'm a slut! I'm stupid! The worst daughter ever! But I did it for you! You told me to do it—to save this family! You dressed me, sent me to that filthy old man, and now you're punishing me?!"

Another slap.

"Don't make me out to be the villain," her mother snapped. "I was proud you finally had some sense. If you succeeded, I might've let you marry him."

"Marry him?!" Maria cried. "He's old enough to be my father! You said if I slept with him, he'd help the family—then you'd send me abroad!"

"You? Abroad?" Her grandmother laughed bitterly. "You'd just shame us even more. It's all over the news—you've slept with multiple men. If Oliver hadn't stepped in, this family would've been destroyed because of you."

Maria let out a hollow laugh. "I was kidnapped... by Mike. He—"

SLAP.

"Shut up," her father barked. "Pack your things. You're not part of this family anymore. We disown you. I was considering marrying you off to some countryside trash, but you don't even deserve that."

He sneered, voice sharp like a blade. "You want to blame Mike? You think a man like him would even look at a broken, brainless freak like you?"

Maria's mind went blank. It was always like this. Ever since she was small, she was told to sacrifice for the family—only to be mocked and insulted afterward. Did they never notice how she stopped studying and started causing chaos, just to get their attention? But they never cared.

They sent her to the countryside to die when she was only six—just because Oliver fell down and cried, and they blamed her. Six years in that place... She'd run away, starving and broken, only to be brought back by a kind police officer. But what did she get? A beating—for "trying to ruin the family's image."

Maria chuckled bitterly, shaking off the memories.

She stood at the edge of the bridge, the cold wind brushing against her face, ready to jump—

But someone grabbed her hand and yanked her back.

---

The Present

Maria woke up and got ready for school. When she came downstairs, she found her grandma, mother, father, and Oliver laughing like a perfect, happy family.

But the moment she stepped into the dining room, the atmosphere changed—ice cold.

She sat down quietly and began eating.

"I heard what happened in school," her father began, his voice sharp. "The vice principal apologized, and Neo helped you. Are you not tired of causing trouble? Do you know how embarrassed I was? My friends told me the vice principal bowed to you and quit. It was humiliating."

"Dad, the vice principal was abusing his authority," Oliver said. "He tried to expel Maria for revenge. He should have been gone long ago."

"If he sought revenge, then it means Maria must have done something to provoke him," her grandmother snapped. "She should've just let Ivy win. But no—she wants to be a 'dream queen' and dragged Neo into this! That's why the vice principal got involved—his brother was affected!"

"Don't defend her, Oliver," her father said coldly. "Maria is a disgrace. She should've been expelled. Do you know what it means for a prestigious school's vice principal to kneel before her? It made me look like I raised an overbearing brat! And Neo—he's dangerous. A girl like Maria shouldn't get involved with someone like him. You think you're a swan, girl? You're not! I should transfer you to a government school. That'll teach you!"

"And quit that show!" her mother barked. "What's this singing and seeking attention? Girls should behave, stay home, and prepare to be good wives—not show off like attention-seeking fools! What talent do you even have?"

"Yes!" her grandmother chimed in. "My friend told me a girl lost her voice. I know it was you, Maria. You can't do good. You probably tried to mute her! You're insane!"

Maria looked at them and laughed—cold and mocking.

"So I shouldn't go to private school. I shouldn't make friends with people richer than me. I should stay home, act like a 'proper lady,' and wait for a good husband. I should quit the show because I don't deserve attention. Do you even hear yourselves?"

"Dad, Mom, Grandma," Oliver said, glaring at them, "If that's wrong for Maria, then I guess I should stay home too, right?"

"Of course not, baby!" their mother smiled sweetly. "You're meant for fame and success! You deserve the best—you're smart, talented, beautiful."

"Yes, you're the pride of this family," their father added. "If you were the one getting close to Neo, I'd be proud."

"The reason we treat Maria like this is because she doesn't deserve any of it," their grandmother said cruelly. "She should just marry some factory worker and disappear."

Oliver tried to argue, but Maria placed a hand on his arm and stood up. Without saying another word, she walked out, ignoring the voices calling her back.

---

At School

Maria entered the classroom and froze.

Ivy was sitting in her seat, surrounded by classmates singing her praises.

Maria walked to her chair and sat calmly.

Then Ivy stood and walked over—then dropped to her knees before Maria.

"I'm sorry, Maria. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Ivy sobbed, bowing and kowtowing again and again.

A girl beside her stepped forward and took Maria's hand.

"Maria, please forgive Ivy. She didn't mean to hurt you. Her parents told the principal she has split personality disorder. One part of her wanted to be alone, the other liked you."

Maria raised an eyebrow. "So she's crazy now? This school allows mentally unstable students?" she said softly.

Ivy's face tightened.

"I know you won't forgive me," Ivy said through tears. "I should have gotten treatment earlier. I was scared. I hurt you. I'm sorry."

"And how do I know that this 'second personality' won't try to ruin me again?" Maria asked.

The class fell silent. Students began stepping away from Ivy.

"The second personality is gone," Ivy whispered. "The doctors merged all of them. I almost died. But I came back to apologize."

Maria sneered. "If they merged them, doesn't that mean your crazy personality is still in you?"

She turned to the class. "Everyone, be quiet."

They backed away even more.

Ivy clenched her fists.

"My second personality won't come back. I'm in control now."

"Did your doctor guarantee that? That you'll never have another split personality?" Maria asked sharply.

A boy echoed, "Yeah, how do we know you're safe now?"

"Exactly," a girl added.

Ivy bit her lip so hard it bled.

"The doctor said I'm fine now. There's no chance," she whispered.

"So if anything happens again, it's all on you. Not your split personality. You'll have no excuse," Maria said coldly.

Ivy trembled but nodded.

Maria smiled sweetly and hugged her, gripping her neck tightly.

"Then we're friends again. Forever."

She leaned in, whispering in Ivy's ear:

"The countdown has begun. I'll make you regret everything."

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