Clarissa POV
Lately, something in me has changed.
It's strange how my thoughts keep drifting back to Rika.
Every time I see the cracks in her mask, I start to wonder—
is she really a ruthless monster…
or just a girl lost in pain?
And every time we kiss, there's something throbbing in my chest.
A loud echo I can't name.
Something that won't quiet down.
I roll on my bed and stare at the ceiling of my room.
"Rika,"
I whisper to myself, closing my eyes.
I try to shake the thoughts away, breathing deeply,
but my mind keeps returning to the feeling of her lips against mine.
A soft knock breaks the silence.
"Miss Clarissa, you have a visitor."
It's Luis, the butler, standing outside my door.
I sit up straight, my voice calm despite the sudden tension in my chest.
"Let them in."
The door opens—and a man steps inside.
My eyes widen.
Before I can think, I rush forward and throw myself into his arms.
"Shinji."
He catches me easily, wrapping me in his embrace.
His hand comes to my head, gentle, familiar.
"You've grown beautiful, Clarissa."
I tighten my hold on him, then pull back slightly to look up at his face.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming tonight?"
He chuckles softly, patting my head before stepping back.
"Ramon said you've been working too hard. I just wanted to check on you."
I wipe my eyes and nod.
"I'm fine, Shinji."
He turns toward the window, gazing at the moonlight spilling into my room.
"Tomorrow is finally the day," he says calmly.
"The day we get our revenge… for your sister, Meghan."
I look at him. His voice is steady, controlled—
but beneath it, I feel anger burning hot and sharp.
I clasp my hands behind my back and lower my gaze.
"Are you sure about this?" I ask quietly.
"Rika… she's your sister. And she—"
I stop mid-sentence.
His expression doesn't change.
Blank. Cold.
They really are alike.
And somehow, that scares me more.
"Clarissa," he says gently, finally turning to me.
"Are you falling for my sister?"
His eyes tell me everything before his words finish.
"Did you already forget what she did four years ago?"
"No!" I snap.
"I could never forget what she did to my sister!"
The memories crash into me all at once.
Rika, standing in our dark hallway.
Her hands soaked in blood.
Walking away like nothing mattered.
That cold expression.
My chest tightens as anger floods back in.
My hands tremble, my head dropping low.
Shinji sighs and places his hands on my shoulders.
I flinch at first, then slowly look up.
His smile softens as his fingers brush my cheeks.
I close my eyes without realizing it, leaning into his touch.
My breathing steadies.
"I know, Clarissa," he murmurs.
"I'm sorry for doubting you."
He pulls me into his arms again, holding me like he's shielding me from the world.
I bury my face in his chest and sob, whispering my sister's name over and over.
"Tomorrow," he says quietly,
"we'll make her feel our pain a hundred times over. I promise."
I lift my head slowly, wiping my tears.
"How?" I ask.
He smirks, turning his gaze back to the window.
"I asked someone I trust to take care of it."
Something crawls along my spine as I see that expression.
I don't know exactly what he means—
but I know one thing for certain.
Rika is going to be hurt.