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That’s when I realized my daughter followed his career with the quiet consistency she reserves for things she genuinely enjoys.

And Artemis enjoys very little.

She loves the ice. Her family. Even Eloise, her gorgeous fish, though she’d rather perish than admit how attached she is to the little creature.

And somehow, she loves his music.

I don’t know what it means.

Maybe nothing.

Maybe everything.

But after twenty-seven years of being Artemis’s mother, I’ve learned something important: when my daughter returns to something again and again, it matters.

Even if she’d rather die than admit it.

“If Artemis ever finds out I’m meddling in her love life, she’ll kill me.”

Lucan nods immediately. “Absolutely.”

“Thank you so much for your support,” I say sarcastically.

“You’re welcome, baby.”

I roll my eyes, then smile.

Because despite everything I’ve done over the past few months—the manipulation, the planning, the lies—I can’t shake the feeling that something important is unfolding.

Our daughter will absolutely murder me and her best friend if she discovers what we’ve orchestrated.

Still, I feel it in my soul.

Some stories announce themselves loudly. Others arrive like snow, quietly covering the world in soft beauty before anyone realizes how much has changed.

And somewhere beneath a Korean winter sky, my stardust girl is walking toward a future she can’t yet see. A future I’ve only ever dreamed for her.

Lucan kisses the top of my head, pulling me from my thoughts. “God help whoever gets caught in your plotting, baby.”

I smile up at him before kissing my husband.

All the while, I keep thinking about Khaos and everything I’ve learned about him. The difficult childhood. The survival. The years spent moving from one home to another, never quite belonging anywhere.

And for once, I hope he doesn’t run.

I hope he stays.

For her.

And maybe, if the universe is feeling generous, she’ll choose to stay for him, too.

eight

. . .

Escaping the Noise

“With all due respect, fuck off.” — K