The grand lecture hall of Aurelius University was filled with the soft hum of students settling into their seats, the air buzzing with anticipation.

Vaelis took her usual spot near the back, where she could observe without being observed too closely. The morning sun streamed through the high windows, casting a warm glow over the pristine grand piano at the front of the room.

Today’s class focused on composition—one of the few things that truly fascinated her. The professor, an elderly man with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue, tapped the board with a baton.

“Music is not just sound,” he declared, voice carrying across the room. “It is a story without words. It is emotion without constraint. And to compose is to carve your emotions into something tangible.”

Vaelis took notes diligently, her mind absorbing every word.

She didn’t regret choosing music over a more ‘practical’ major. This was something she had never been allowed to pursue in her past life, something that had been deemed a ‘waste of time’ by those who had dictated every inch of her existence.

Here, in this classroom, surrounded by notes and melodies, she felt at peace.

---

Rowan, however, was ruining it.

Leaning back in his chair beside her, he was playing with a pen, spinning it between his fingers with effortless ease.

“Didn’t expect you to be so studious, Black Swan,” he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear.

Vaelis didn’t spare him a glance. “Didn’t expect you to be here at all. This wasn’t part of the plan, was it?”

Rowan chuckled, as if enjoying the fact that she had noticed. “Guess I decided to rewrite my role.”

Annoying.

She ignored him and focused on her notes, blocking out the amused glances from other students who were clearly enjoying the banter. After class ended, Vaelis was making her way toward the campus gardens when her phone vibrated.

Her steps slowed as she glanced at the screen.

Father: We need to talk. Come to Le Pavillon Café in 30 minutes.

She stared at the message for a long moment before tucking her phone away.

A meeting, after all this time?

Interesting.

---

When her parents arrived ten minutes late, she wasn’t surprised.

Evelyn Cara, as elegant and cold as ever, walked in first, her eyes scanning the café with a look of mild distaste. Damien Cara followed, his posture stiff, his expression unreadable.

Vaelis leaned back in her chair, stirring her coffee.

“You’ve certainly taken your time,” she said, her tone light but taunting.

Evelyn sat down with a measured grace, crossing her legs. “We need to talk.”

“Then talk.”

Damien exhaled sharply. “Why did you leave the house without a word?”

Vaelis arched a brow. “Oh? You noticed?”

Her mother’s expression darkened. “Don’t play games, Vaelis. Your reckless actions have put us in an embarrassing position.”

She laughed softly. “Embarrassing? No, what’s embarrassing is that you thought I would stay forever, waiting for scraps of affection that were never mine to begin with.”

Her father’s jaw tightened. “You are our daughter. And as such, you have responsibilities—”

Vaelis tilted her head. “Responsibilities? Like being the shadow of your perfect image? Like existing just enough to maintain appearances but not enough to be acknowledged?”

Evelyn scoffed. “You’ve always been dramatic.”

Vaelis exhaled slowly. “You came here because you thought I would come crawling back, didn’t you? You assumed I’d realize I couldn’t survive on my own.”

She leaned forward, her eyes glinting with amusement. “But here’s the thing—you no longer have any power over me. I am a top scholar. I have a full scholarship. I don’t need a cent from you.”

Damien’s fingers curled into fists. “So this is how you repay us? By severing ties and choosing a useless major like music?”

Vaelis smirked. “Music may be useless to you, but to me, it’s freedom.”

Evelyn crossed her arms. “What future does music have? You were meant to study business or law—something respectable. Something that would bring honor to the family.”

Vaelis tilted her head, eyes glinting with mock curiosity. “Honor? From a family that never wanted me? Now that’s ironic.”

Her mother’s lips trembled with rage. “Do you really think you can cut us off so easily?”

Vaelis’ smile sharpened. “Oh, I don’t think—I know.”

She stood, gathering her bag with a slow, deliberate motion.

“You should enjoy the peace while it lasts. Because the next time you see my name in the headlines, it won’t be as the obedient daughter of the Cara family—it will be as someone you can never control.”

She turned on her heel and walked away without looking back.