Fated to Be

Not Good at expressing himself

Golden rays of morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the spacious bedroom.

Kiona slowly stirred.

She blinked a few times before opening her eyes completely.

For several seconds, she simply stared at the elegant ceiling above her.

Then her eyes widened.

"...The bed?"

She immediately sat upright, looking around in confusion.

"I... I fell asleep on the floor."

She clearly remembered folding a blanket and lying on the carpet because she didn't want to stain the spotless bed with the blood from her bandaged head.

She looked toward the floor.

The blanket she had spread there the previous night was gone.

A puzzled frown crossed her face.

"Did I... sleepwalk?"

She shook her head.

"That's impossible."

After thinking about it for a while, she finally gave up.

"I must have been too tired."

Just then...

Knock! Knock!

"Miss Kiona?"

A gentle female voice came from outside.

"It's time for dinner."

Kiona quickly climbed out of bed.

"I'll be right there."

After washing up and changing into a simple cream-colored dress prepared by one of the maids, she took a deep breath before stepping out of the room.

The maid waiting outside smiled politely.

"This way, Miss Kiona."

Kiona followed her downstairs.

As they approached the dining room, the delicious aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air.

She hesitated at the entrance.

The long dining table was already occupied.

At the head sat Elena Reynolds.

Lyrien occupied the seat to her right, quietly reading something on his tablet while waiting for dinner to begin.

On Elena's left sat Lyra, who was happily swinging her legs beneath her chair.

The moment Lyra noticed Kiona, her face lit up.

"Kiona!"

She enthusiastically waved both hands.

"Come sit beside me!"

The warmth in her voice immediately eased some of Kiona's nervousness.

She walked inside politely.

"Good evening."

Elena smiled kindly.

"Good evening, dear."

Lyrien looked up from his tablet.

Their eyes met briefly.

He gave a slight nod.

"Good evening."

Kiona returned the greeting before taking the seat beside Lyra.

Almost immediately, Lyra leaned closer.

"I was waiting for you."

"Were you?"

"Of course!"

"I was getting bored listening to Mom lecture Brother about work."

"Lyra."

Elena gave her daughter a warning look.

"I wasn't lecturing him."

"You were."

"You talked for almost twenty minutes."

Lyrien quietly picked up his glass of water.

"I counted twenty-three."

Lyra burst into laughter.

"So even you noticed!"

Even Elena couldn't help smiling.

Watching the three of them tease one another so naturally made Kiona feel as though she were witnessing something she had long forgotten.

A family.

A real family.

One where laughter came easily.

Not arguments.

Not shouting.

Not fear.

Elena noticed Kiona sitting quietly.

She gently placed some food onto Kiona's plate.

"Eat while it's warm."

"Thank you... Mom."

Although the word still felt unfamiliar, Elena's smile immediately widened.

"That's better."

Dinner continued peacefully.

After a while, Elena looked at Kiona thoughtfully.

"Kiona."

"Yes, Mom?"

"Is there anything you wish for?"

Kiona blinked.

"I mean," Elena continued gently, "is there something you truly want us to help you with?"

"Do you have enough clothes?"

"Shoes?"

"Jewelry?"

"Handbags?"

"Anything at all."

Kiona smiled shyly.

"I already have enough."

Lyra almost choked on her juice.

"Enough?"

Kiona nodded sincerely.

"The clothes I brought with me are still in good condition."

"I have a few pairs of shoes."

"And I don't wear much jewelry."

"I'm content with what I have."

Lyra stared at her as though she had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

"Kiona..."

She whispered dramatically.

"That's not called enough."

"That's called surviving."

Everyone laughed softly.

Elena reached across the table and gently squeezed Kiona's hand.

"If material things aren't what you want..."

"What is?"

Kiona lowered her eyes.

She remained silent for a few moments before speaking.

"I want to continue my studies."

"I don't want to give up on my education."

The dining room grew quiet.

Lyrien looked at her calmly.

"I know."

"I remember you attend Jihna University."

He paused before adding,

"Coincidentally, Lyra studies there as well."

He glanced at his younger sister.

"The two of you can go to school together."

Lyra's face immediately lit up.

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Exactly!"

"I'll have a schoolmate from home now!"

She smiled at Kiona with obvious excitement.

"We'll go to lectures together, eat lunch together, and if anyone gives you trouble..."

She rolled up her sleeve playfully.

"...they'll have to answer to me."

Everyone at the table laughed.

Kiona couldn't help smiling too.

"But..." she said softly, "I'm not sure the university will allow me to continue."

"The administration said I need a guardian to guarantee responsibility for my unborn child. They don't want complications involving a student they believe has no legal guardian willing to stand behind her."

Lyrien's expression remained composed.

"Then I'll go with you."

Kiona blinked.

"...You will?"

He nodded.

"I'll complete whatever formalities the university requires."

"If they need a guardian's guarantee, I'll provide it."

"No one will stop you from finishing your education."

Kiona stared at him for several seconds.

She hadn't expected him to involve himself so personally.

Seeing the uncertainty in her eyes, Lyrien continued,

"While we're there, I'll also discuss expanding the university."

"I've already planned another donation."

His gaze briefly met hers.

"This time, I'd like part of that donation to fund a new academic building in your name."

Kiona's eyes widened.

"In... my name?"

Lyrien nodded.

"The Kiona Brooks Student Development Building."

"It will provide future students with better classrooms and learning facilities."

"I want your name to stand for opportunity rather than gossip."

The dining room fell silent.

Even Lyra looked at her brother in surprise before a proud smile slowly spread across her face.

Kiona felt her throat tighten.

No one had ever believed in her future the way he did.

She lowered her head slightly.

"...Thank you."

Lyrien simply replied,

"Focus on your studies."

"I'll take care of the rest."

After dinner, the servants cleared the dining table while Elena excused herself to make a few phone calls.

Lyrien stood from his seat.

"I have some documents to review."

He looked at Kiona.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask the staff."

Kiona nodded politely.

"Thank you."

With that, Lyrien headed upstairs toward his study.

The moment he disappeared from sight, Lyra leaned toward Kiona with a mischievous grin.

"Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"My room!"

Before Kiona could object, Lyra grabbed her hand and excitedly pulled her upstairs.

Lyra's bedroom was completely different from Lyrien's.

It was bright and lively.

The walls were decorated with framed photographs, fairy lights, shelves filled with novels, and several small potted plants by the window.

A giant teddy bear occupied one corner of the room.

The cheerful atmosphere instantly made Kiona smile.

"I like your room."

"Really?"

Lyra beamed.

"I decorated it myself."

She flopped onto the bed before patting the empty space beside her.

"Sit."

Kiona sat down.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Lyra suddenly smiled.

"So..."

"What do you think of my brother?"

Kiona nearly choked on the glass of juice she had just picked up.

"W-What?"

Lyra giggled.

"I was just asking."

Kiona lowered her eyes.

"I don't know..."

"He's difficult to understand."

Lyra nodded knowingly.

"Most people think that."

"But once you get to know him..."

"He's actually very kind."

Kiona listened quietly.

"My brother doesn't smile often," Lyra continued.

"But when he does..."

"It means he's genuinely happy."

"He hates noisy places."

"He enjoys reading whenever he has free time."

"And every Sunday morning, he drinks black coffee while reading the newspaper in the garden."

Kiona smiled faintly.

"You know him very well."

"Of course."

"I'm his little sister."

Lyra laughed proudly.

"I've spent nineteen years studying him."

The two girls laughed together.

"Oh!"

Lyra suddenly remembered something.

"Brother absolutely loves spicy food."

"But..."

"He refuses to eat coriander."

Kiona blinked.

"Really?"

Lyra nodded seriously.

"If he even smells coriander..."

"He'll quietly push the plate away."

Kiona covered her mouth to hide a laugh.

"I'll remember that."

"And one more thing."

Lyra leaned closer.

"He never forgets birthdays."

"He just pretends he does because he isn't good at expressing himself."

"He always prepares gifts in advance."

"He just leaves them anonymously."

Kiona looked surprised.

"I wouldn't have guessed."

"Exactly."

"He's terrible at showing people how much he cares."

For a moment, Kiona found herself thinking about the man she had met at Bright Star Club...

The cold stranger who had told her to disappear.

Then she remembered the man who had stood between her and her family.

The one who had taken her to the hospital.

The one who promised she could continue her education.

Maybe...

There was more to Lyrien Reynolds than she had first believed.

Meanwhile...

At the far end of the second floor...

Lyrien sat alone inside his study.

The room was silent except for the soft ticking of a clock.

Stacks of contracts covered the polished mahogany desk.

Gilbert stood nearby, holding another file.

"Sir."

"This is tomorrow's schedule."

Lyrien accepted it without looking up.

"Tomorrow morning, you'll accompany Miss Brooks to Jihna University."

"The chairman has also confirmed a meeting regarding the new academic building."

Lyrien nodded.

"Good."

Gilbert hesitated before speaking again.

"The design team has already prepared three proposals."

"They've asked what name should appear on the building."

Without lifting his eyes from the documents, Lyrien answered calmly,

"The Kiona Brooks Student Development Building."

Gilbert smiled slightly.

"I'll let them know."

He turned to leave but paused at the doorway.

"Sir..."

Lyrien looked up.

"I haven't seen you this concerned about someone before."

For a brief moment...

Lyrien's expression softened.

Neither had he.

After Gilbert left, the study became quiet once more.

Lyrien closed the file in front of him.

His thoughts drifted to the young woman laughing downstairs with Lyra.

A faint smile touched his lips.

He was glad to hear laughter in the mansion again.

It had been a long time since the Reynolds home had felt so alive.

Outside the study, Lyra's cheerful laughter echoed down the hallway.

Lyrien smiled to himself.

Maybe...

Bringing Kiona into their home had changed more than just her life.

Perhaps...

It was beginning to heal his family's as well.