It had already been two weeks since that embarrassing incident. Don't ask how I managed to survive the daily barrage of nagging coming from not just four, but six relentless mouths—my brothers, Dr. Leon, and of course… Alex. My ears felt like they'd been scrubbed clean, inside and out.
Mike and Martin had immediately ordered the kitchen staff to serve only "healthy" meals—bland food with barely any sugar or salt. Matteo went a step further and asked his hospital colleague, a nutritionist, to draft a diet plan for me. As for Mikael… he didn't say a word. But every time our eyes met, he gave me this intense, unreadable look—like I'd committed a grave sin or desecrated his ancestors' graves.
I wanted to speak up, defend myself, but knowing how these domineering men are… I wouldn't get the chance.
"Stop it, Mike…" I muttered under my breath as he started lecturing me again—this time, about being late for lunch. And now, at dinner, four pairs of icy blue eyes were fixed on me, all with matching furrowed brows. Ugh. Why'd you have to bring it up now, Mike?
"What did you say?" he asked.
"N-Nothing! I just said the meat's really delicious. Haha…" I forced a chuckle and shoved another bite into my mouth, chewing a bit too aggressively.
Mike sighed. Maybe he was finally realizing that his nagging wasn't working.
"Mia," Martin said, setting down his spoon. "I want to ask you something, though I'm not sure if this is the right time."
"Go ahead, eldest brother," I said quickly after swallowing, almost choking in the process.
"What do you want to do with your life? You can't just stay home forever, doing nothing."
His question caught me off guard. I froze.
"I… I don't know. I forgot most of my qualifications after the memory loss. I'm not even sure if I was good at studying or not," I admitted, panic creeping into my voice.
"Of course you weren't," Mike said hesitantly, sounding a little guilty. "You only finished high school, Mia."
What? This body only finished high school? Meanwhile, back in my original life, I had a college degree. Not that it did me much good—I could barely land a decent job and ended up juggling part-time work just to survive.
"It was… that bad? I forgot about that," I stuttered.
"That's okay," Mike said more gently. "School wasn't really your thing, but you were amazing at drawing. Eldest brother even built a studio for you once."
"Seriously? Where is it? Can you show me sometime?"
"Uh…" Mike paused, glancing at Martin.
"I had it closed temporarily," Martin said flatly.
"Why?"
"You don't need to know. But if you want to start drawing again, I'll have it cleaned and reopened."
"O-Okay. I guess I need to see if I still have the skill." I nodded, though I wasn't so confident. In my old life, I could barely draw a stick figure—my cat sketches looked more like deformed potatoes.
Martin continued, "If you're also interested in resuming your studies, let me know. You once said you wanted to become a fashion designer. I can help you get a private tutor and enroll in some classes at our family's university."
"Wait—our family owns a university?"
"Lumora International University," Mike said, his eyes lighting up like a proud historian. "Our maternal ancestors founded it centuries ago, and now it's under the Ceneric name. Since you're the only girl in the family, you're next in line to inherit it after Mom and Grandma."
"Not just the university," he added. "There are also museums, galleries, schools, and foundations—lots of them. They're all technically yours to inherit. For now, though, we're managing them until you're ready."
He paused, choosing his next words carefully.
"You know… because you've been… well—"
"Unruly and irresponsible," Matteo finished for him with his usual dry tone.
I shot him a look. Could he ever shut his sarcastic mouth?
"Oh my god. I had no idea I was that rich!" I squealed, genuinely shocked and borderline giddy.
"Don't celebrate just yet," Martin cut in, deadpan. "We're freezing all your assets—including your bank accounts—until the investigation clears you of the drug incident."
"What?! My money?! You're freezing everything?" I yelped, choking on the piece of chicken in my mouth. It dropped onto my plate with a sad splat.
No!!! My 500 billion Velmarian Vel!
"Yes. You'll get a monthly allowance. Just enough to live on. Learn to be frugal—you might actually appreciate food more."
"That's so unfair!" I pouted.
"I totally support that decision," Matteo chimed in smugly. "Take all her money. That way she can't buy junk food anymore, and we won't have to nag her to death."
URGGGHHH. This guy! I swear, I'm going to kill him one day.
I glared at him, trying to pierce through his soul. "I can still find someone else to buy me food," I muttered.
"Who? Besides us and Alex? Your ex-fiancé, Lucas?" Matteo raised an eyebrow. "I heard that he was in the ER before. Something about severe stomach cramps. Sounds a lot like someone else I know…"
"What? He's in the ER? HAHAHA! Serves him right for being so smug about finishing that challenge!" I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach just imagining his diarrhea struggle.
"WHAT CHALLENGE???"
The laughter died in my throat.
I turned slowly to find four pairs of blue eyes glaring at me, darker than before.
No, it wasn't just someone. It was all four of them asking the exact same question at the exact same time.
I blinked. My brain scrambled to come up with a lie, any lie.
Should I just run?
Because the way they were staring at me… I might lose my neck tonight. Like a plump sheep trapped in a den full of hungry wolves.
"Err…what challenge? Did I say anything about a challenge? I think you guys misheard me."
"Mia Isabella," Mikael said—his voice low, his eyes piercing, "has anyone ever told you you're terrible at lying?"
That was probably his first sentence of the night—and it hit like a slap. His expression was so intimidating, I nearly wet myself.
"W-What lie? Why would I lie? I haven't even seen Lucas since I signed the annulment papers! There's no way I'd know why he's sick. I swear!" I raised my right hand as if I were on trial, clinging to the last shred of my dignity. Maybe if I added some fake tears they'd stop interrogating me?
"Keep going," Martin said, his voice sharp. "Mike, call Alex. Let's see what he has to say."
"Alright, give me a second." Mike pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Alex.
Oh no. What do I do now? Should I come clean? But then—what about Caspian? They didn't seem to know about our relationship yet. And if they did… they might ban me from seeing him. I couldn't risk that.
As panic swirled in my chest, a calm, mellow voice floated out from the speaker.
"Hey Mike, what's up?" It was Alex.
"Alex, my older brothers have a few questions—about Mia. Specifically, about the incident after your lunch together," Mike said.
"Brothers—" I tried to interject, but Mikael and Matteo both shot me a look that froze me in place.
"The stomach pain?" Alex asked, confused. "Okay… what exactly do you want to know?"
"That day," Martin said, "was Mia actually with you? Or did she see someone else—Lucas, maybe?"
"What? Lucas? Why is he part of this?" Alex's voice was puzzled.
"Well, someone told us he was rushed to the ER with the exact same condition as Mia—gastric reflux and stomach cramps. Don't you think that's… interesting?" Matteo interrupted to answer, sarcastically.
"I…" Alex faltered. His voice trembled, laced with hesitation. Oh no. Alex, please. You're way too honest for this kind of thing!
"HA! Just as I thought." Mikael cut in, his gaze locking onto me like I was some fugitive caught red-handed. "You weren't with Alex that day, were you, Mia Isabella?"
"No! I—"
"Guys, listen. I was with her—" Alex started to say, clearly trying to cover for me.
But it was too late.
Mike ended the call abruptly, cutting him off. The silence that followed was thick with tension.
"Enough, Mia. You're caught," Martin said firmly. "Alex wasn't the one you had lunch with that day."