Xiamen barely slept — her mind kept circling the same thought: If anyone found out who her son really was, everything would collapse.
She went downstairs quietly, hoping to grab breakfast before anyone else. But she wasn't alone.
A man stood by the dining table, reviewing documents — tall, sharp, wearing the look of someone who saw too much and trusted too little.
It was Mr. Lin, Hong Yi's trusted friend and his right hand.
"Mrs—" He stopped, catching himself. "Miss Xiamen."
His polite tone couldn't hide the suspicion in his eyes.
"Good morning," she said softly.
He nodded slightly, closing the folder in his hand. "You're up early. Adjusting to the house again must be… strange."
She forced a small smile. "It's familiar enough."
"Familiar," he echoed. "Yes. Though, you've been gone a long time. Five years can change a person."
Something about the way he said it made her uneasy.
He continued, "Mr. Hong is generous to let you stay. Especially now, when your father has… certain disagreements with him."
Her heart stopped. "You know about that?"
"Everyone in the company knows," Lin said quietly. "Your father has become one of Mr. Hong's most vocal opponents. There's talk he's been trying to buy out board members, even sabotage upcoming projects."
She looked away, "I had nothing to do with that."
"I hope not," he said calmly. "Because some people are beginning to wonder if your sudden return is… coincidence."
Her breath caught. "You think I came here to hurt him?"
Lin's expression didn't change. "I think you came back with secrets. And secrets have a way of destroying people — especially Hong Yi."
Before she could reply, footsteps approached from the hall. Hong Yi entered, jacket over his arm, eyes flicking between them.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Nothing, sir," Lin said smoothly. "Just discussing the news."
Xiamen turned away, her pulse racing. She didn't see the warning glance Hong Yi gave Lin — or the faint, unreadable frown that followed her as she left.
Later that day, Lin met Hong Yi in his office.
"I think you should be careful," Lin said quietly, placing a file on the desk. "Her father's name came up again. The contracts he's been intercepting—some were linked to your company. And now she's suddenly here?" Lin doesn't know Hong yi ask Xiamen stay because company will .
Hong Yi's jaw tightened. "You're suggesting she's part of it?"
"I'm suggesting you don't let emotions blind you again," Lin replied. "She left you once. Don't forget that."
Hong Yi's gaze darkened. "I don't need reminders." she not left i divorce her.
But when Lin left, the silence in the office felt heavier than before. Hong Yi leaned back in his chair, eyes lingering on the rain-streaked window.
He told himself he didn't care — that Xiamen's return meant nothing.
And yet, her voice, her face, the memory of her trembling hands that night… wouldn't leave him.
That evening, Xiamen found Lin standing near the garden, watching her child play with a toy near the bushes. Her son's laughter echoed softly.
"Don't," she said sharply, stepping between them. "He's just a child."
Lin's gaze lingered on the boy. "He looks familiar," he said quietly.
Her heart stuttered. "He shouldn't."
He tilted his head slightly. "Maybe not. But I've worked for Mr. Hong a long time. I notice… resemblances."
Her breath hitched.
Before she could respond, Hong Yi's voice came from behind them. "Lin."
Both turned. Hong Yi stood there, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. "That's enough for today."
Lin gave a small bow and walked away — but before casting one last look at the child.
As he disappeared down the path, Xiamen's heart pounded so hard it hurt.
"Why was he talking to you?" Hong Yi asked.
"He was asking about the garden," she lied quickly.
Hong Yi studied her face — the nervous tremor in her voice, the way she held the boy's shoulder too protectively.
Something inside him twisted. Doubt, confusion, and a pain he couldn't name.
"Be careful who you trust here," he said finally.
Then he turned away, his tone quiet — almost too soft to hear.
"Because not everyone in this house believes you came back for the right reasons."
When he was gone, Xiamen closed her eyes.
The truth was unraveling, thread by thread.
And she knew — once the last one snapped, there would be no going back.