Clarissa pov.
I left the rooftop, letting Rika stand there alone.
But before I stepped down the stairs, I turned back for one last glance.
I expected to see confusion.
I expected anger, fear—something I could use.
But every time I looked at her…
All I ever saw was pain. Quiet, honest pain.
It made my jaw tighten.
I stormed down the stairwell, fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms.
Why does she look like she's the victim?
Why does she act like she's the one who's hurting?
Why does she look so… lost?
I hate it.
I hate how she doesn't remember what she did.
I hate how she walks around like nothing happened.
I hate the softness in her expression when she thinks no one is watching.
It makes me want to—
I froze halfway down the steps, breath catching in my throat.
"What the… What am I thinking?"
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to force air back into my lungs.
Then I kicked the metal trash bin beside the wall, the loud clang echoing through the empty stairwell as I paced back and forth.
"Did I almost say… I want to care for her?"
I scoffed, shaking my head hard enough to snap myself out of it.
"No. Hell no. Clarissa, wake up. She's a monster. A living monster. Stop it."
I muttered the words like a spell—something to anchor me, something to keep me from slipping.
When I continued walking down, my steps halted again.
Mila was standing at the landing, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
Her expression was calm—but her eyes were sharp enough to cut.
I steadied myself and smirked.
"Well, well. What are you doing here? Spying on us?"
She pushed herself off the wall slowly, controlled, composed—yet her annoyance was obvious.
"I know who you are," she said. "And I know you know who I am."
I tilted my head, amused.
"So you're not even bothering to deny it?"
She rolled her eyes and tossed an envelope toward me.
It landed at my feet, scattering photos—me, my sister… and Shinji.
My stomach twisted. How did she—
Before I could speak, Mila stepped close and pressed her finger against my lips, silencing me.
"I told you," she murmured. "I can play your games. And this game is finally getting exciting."
Her eyes hardened.
"If you dare hurt Rika, I won't hesitate to use my influence to erase you from the picture."
I froze, caught off guard by the calm threat in her tone.
But Mila only smirked lightly and stepped back, completely composed.
A low growl escaped me as I gathered the photos from the floor, slipping them back into the envelope.
When I looked up again, she was still staring—unbothered, unreadable.
A different aura surrounded her now.
The façade was gone.
"As expected of the Silent Princess of Crow," I said, mocking her. "But don't you think you're stepping out of character?"
She didn't flinch. Instead, she looked down at me with that infuriating calmness.
"You're new to this," she said coldly. "But I was born in this world. And in two months… Rika will be farther out of your reach than you think."
My eyes widened.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
But Mila only turned away, ignoring the question completely as she descended the stairs.
I stood there, stunned for a moment—then a slow grin spread across my lips.
"That girl is really testing me," I whispered.
"Well… bring it on."