Part 2Not Blood, Still Forbidden

Lily's POV

I pulled my suitcase and opened my bedroom door, suddenly hearing the faint sound of a lock turning from the master bedroom across the hall.

My breath caught, and I froze in place.

Payton pushed his door open and stepped out.

He wore a light gray cashmere sweater and casual slacks. His hair was still slightly damp, as if he'd just showered.

The morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window at the end of the hallway, gilding him in a thin golden outline.

For a moment, I felt like I'd returned to the past.

Those mornings when he hadn't yet distanced himself from me-he would always appear like this, fresh and clean, ruffling my hair and asking if I'd slept well.

But the next second, his gaze swept over to me and landed on my suitcase.

"Going somewhere?"

"...Yeah."

I pressed my lips together and looked away.

Payton's brow furrowed slightly.

"Where?"

"Back to campus to stay for a few days."

I didn't mention that I'd be leaving for the Gobi in two weeks. After all, he'd find out once I was gone.

Payton looked me over.

"Why would you suddenly want to go back to campus?"

Because I wanted to make room for Sophia. I didn't want my presence to get in their way.

But before I could answer, Payton stepped forward, grabbed my suitcase from my hand, and ordered, "You're about to start your internship. There's no need to go back to campus. Stay home. You're not moving out."

With that, he domineeringly placed my suitcase back in my bedroom.

He looked almost afraid I might leave.

I froze, but quickly dismissed it as overthinking. How could Payton possibly be afraid of me leaving?

He only forbade me from returning to campus out of habit-treating me like a "little sister."

"Miss Lily, breakfast is ready."

The butler's voice called from downstairs, breaking my daze.

In the dining room, an elegant breakfast was already laid out on the long table.

Payton sat at the head, a financial newspaper spread before him, a cup of black coffee at his side.

He ate gracefully, his movements refined. Even the sound of turning pages was soft.

I sat down diagonally across from him.

"Payton!"

A crisp female voice suddenly rang out from the foyer. My fingers trembled, and my spoon clinked against the bowl.

Sophia walked in with a bright smile, went to Payton's side, and leaned down to kiss his cheek.

"Did I keep you waiting? Traffic was a bit heavy."

Payton set down his newspaper and naturally put his hand on her waist.

"No rush. Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"Not yet. I wanted to eat with you."

Sophia sat down beside him, and a servant immediately added a set of utensils.

Throughout the whole process, no one glanced at me.

I sat there like a ghost in my own seat, watching their natural, intimate interactions.

Sophia served Payton a piece of bacon. Payton poured her milk. They spoke in low voices, occasionally exchanging smiles.

That intimacy was like fine needles piercing my eyes.

I lowered my head, staring at the porridge in my bowl that had already gone cold. Suddenly, the dining room felt unbearably crowded-so crowded I couldn't breathe.

"By the way, Lily," Sophia suddenly turned toward me, as if just noticing my presence. "We're going skiing today. Do you want to come with us?"

I froze, instinctively shaking my head.

"I..."

"Don't refuse so quickly. You'd be so bored at home alone." Sophia's tone was light. "Payton, let's bring Lily along, okay?"

Payton looked up at me. His gaze was calm and indifferent as he said flatly, "Since Sophia invited you, come along."

One sentence-but it felt like a dull knife slowly cutting open my heart.

He didn't care whether I'd feel awkward. He didn't care whether watching him be intimate with someone else would hurt me.

I didn't want to torture myself, so I tried to decline.

But Sophia came over at that moment and enthusiastically linked her arm through mine.

"Then it's settled! Lily, you won't refuse me, will you?"