phienruple

Cassian was the heir to Evergreen Palace—until the empire crumbled, his father was imprisoned, and high society turned its back without hesitation. Now, he lives in shadows, barely making ends meet, haunted by betrayal and a promise he made to himself: they will all pay.

A small coffee shop becomes his refuge in a quiet corner of the city. It’s the place he meets Noah—calm, enigmatic, and strangely familiar. Noah doesn’t look at him with pity or judgment. He sees him. And for the first time in months, the weight of survival feels a little lighter.

But love is a luxury he can’t afford—not when every step forward is a move in a game of vengeance. Still, as secrets unravel and the past comes calling, he finds himself torn between the justice he craves … and the person who just might save him from himself.

I Choose to Rebuild Me Instead Of The Crumbled Palace

I insist on working today's shift, even when Noah offers—again—to cover for me. Or give me the day off.

"You sure?" he asks softly, like he already knows the answer. I nod, avoiding his eyes as I tie the strings of my apron. I don't want to talk about it. Not now. Not again.

"I've already taken one day off this week," I say instead. "I don't wanna bother anyone. Plus, tomorrow is my day off. I can't be greedy and selfish."

But that's only part of it. The truth is, I don't trust myself alone today. Not after I came into dr. Ronald's room. Not after sitting in a parked car, letting my mom's isolation sink into my bones. I've been down that road before. I know what spiraling feels like—how it starts as a flicker and turns into a wildfire. I won't let myself sink that far again. Not if I can help it.

Steady Rhythm