Watching the man following closely behind her, Sophie's mind was in chaos. Scenes from the past played in her head like a movie.
*"Yang Yang, this is Hu Bin from Class Six—a real genius!"* That was the first time Yang Yang met Hu Bin at a mixer, dragged there by her best friend Minmin.
Hu Bin, the campus heartthrob with undeniable talent, had always been someone Yang Yang admired from afar. When Minmin heard he'd be at the mixer, she practically forced Yang Yang to go—maybe she could play matchmaker and end Yang Yang's hopeless pining!
*"Yang Yang, happy birthday!"* Hu Bin stood outside her dorm, holding a bouquet of roses, his gaze fixed on her stunned face. The envious sighs of her dormmates and the teasing shouts from upstairs made Yang Yang feel like the luckiest girl in the world. After a month of longing, Hu Bin had finally confessed!
Her entire college life was bliss—love, good grades, even a job lined up after graduation. With Hu Bin by her side, she feared nothing. That happiness lasted until...
*"Yang Yang, let's break up."* Hu Bin couldn't even look at her as he spoke. Her heart shattered. No matter how bad their fights got, neither had ever uttered those words. They knew they couldn't live without each other—those two words were too cruel.
Yet here he was, saying them calmly, without explanation. Right when they were preparing for their engagement.
Yang Yang fought back the tears, but the ache in her chest was unbearable. She wanted to sob.
*"Can you tell me why?"* She forced her voice steady.
*"I fell in love with someone else."* His tone was flat, detached. That same deep, magnetic voice she'd once adored.
She turned and walked away, refusing to look back. *Cry, Yang Yang. This is your punishment for trusting the wrong man. Let every tear wash him away. He wasn't worth it.*
Only after she left did Hu Bin lift his tear-streaked face. *"Yang Yang, I'm sorry. I never should've met you. Forget me."* Men don't cry easily—unless their heart is truly broken.
*Clatter—* A shower of ice tears hit the floor in front of Sophie.
*"Sophie, what's wrong?"* Libor rushed to her side, gently shaking her shoulder. He'd never seen her cry before. The whole world seemed to dim with her sorrow.
*"Keep him away from me!"* Sophie snapped out of her daze and hurried upstairs, not wanting to see him—even if he was just a look-alike.
Libor stepped forward, blocking the fallen ice tears. As the man rushed toward them, Libor held out an arm to stop him.
*"Sir, I'm sorry. You're not welcome here."* Though the man was handsome, anyone who made Sophie cry didn't deserve mercy. If it were night, Libor wouldn't be this polite.
*"Please, let me in! I'm a friend of Kalina's! I've been searching for her, and now that I've found her, how can you keep us apart?"* Amand was frantic. Kalina had run the moment she saw him, refusing to listen. He wasn't here to capture her—he'd never hurt her!
Before the Elder sent him on his last mission, Kalina had given him a handmade sachet and promised to wait. They were in love!
But when he returned, Kalina, the sacred beast, and their tribe's treasure were all gone. Only an empty treehouse remained. He refused to believe she'd abandon their people—abandon *him*.
Defying the tribe's laws, he left the barrier, searching the world for her. And just now, he'd finally seen her—still beautiful, but angry. Who had upset her?
Yet when she turned and saw him, there was no joy—only flight. Why? Why would Kalina treat him this way?
Now this man blocked his path. If not for Kalina's presence, Amand would've unleashed his phoenix flames. But Kalina hated unnecessary destruction—even of fallen insects.
*"Come back tomorrow. Sophie isn't in the mood to see anyone. Even if I let you up, she might refuse."* Libor needed to stabilize the situation. The ice tears couldn't stay on the floor.
Amand glanced at the empty staircase, then reluctantly headed to a nearby inn. Fine. He had time. Kalina *would* see him. Even if she called herself Sophie now, she was still *his* Kalina.
Once the man was gone, Libor quickly gathered the ice tears. Thankfully, the bustling shop had drawn no attention. Holding one up, he marveled at its translucent glow.
*"Sophie, who are you really? How many secrets do you hide?"* His chest tightened. *"No matter. Whoever you are, I'll protect you."* He headed upstairs.
No one noticed the small white figure watching from above.
*Knock knock knock.* *"Sophie, can I come in?"* Libor waited by the door.
*"Come in."* Sophie wiped her dry face and tucked away the remaining ice tears from her skirt. She'd been careless earlier. Hopefully no one else had noticed.
*"Sophie, do you need anything?"* Libor sat across from her, handing back the tears—though he secretly kept one.
*"Thanks."* Sophie relaxed. If Libor had collected them, there was no risk.
*"When I first returned from the Forest of Alyxia, that man approached me on the street. He mistook me for someone else. I'm not who he thinks I am, but he wouldn't leave me alone."* She sighed. Though she knew he wasn't entirely wrong—this body *was* Kalina's—she wasn't the woman he remembered, and he wasn't the man she'd once loved.
*"Want me to chase him off?"* Libor didn't press. He just wanted Sophie happy.
*"No!"* She caught his knowing look and backtracked. *"Just ignore him. If he comes to the shop again, charge him double. If he doesn't buy anything, kick him out!"* The old, spirited Sophie was back.
He wasn't *him*. Even if he were, they were over. Love had been real—until it wasn't. If he let go first, there was no reason to hold on again.
Seeing Sophie's bright smile, Libor grinned too. *This* was the Sophie he knew. Whatever lay ahead, he'd stand by her.
*"Sophie, I'm starving! How long since you cooked for me? I helped you today—least you could do is feed me!"* His mouth watered just thinking about it.
*"Fine! I'm in a good mood—I'll make you a royal feast!"* Sophie declared. Not that Libor (or she) knew what that actually entailed.
Soon, the kitchen's aroma lured a crowd of drooling onlookers. But no one dared sneak a bite—after little Princess Milta once stole a piece of honey-glazed fruit, Sophie had banned her from her cooking for a week. The lesson stuck.
After the feast, everyone retired, satisfied. Sophie bid them goodnight, then slumped against her door the moment it closed. The cheerful facade crumbled.
That first love, that all-consuming passion—it had left a scar. Amand's appearance had ripped it open, making her relive the betrayal.
*"Do you want to know who Amand really is?"* A sudden voice startled her.
**Will the truth heal her—or break her completely?**