Lance's gaze lingered on the talisman Virginia held, his expression shifting as emotions flickered across his face. The talisman was tied to memories from his past, almost acting as a bridge between him and Virginia, linking their fates in ways he hadn't anticipated. When he saw it again, a wave of emotions swept over him, and his mind was consumed by the intensity of his thoughts. Noticing Lance's silence, Virginia began to feel anxious. Gathering what little courage she had, she spoke first. "Lance ... I was just by the door when I suddenly realized I wasn't wearing the talisman. I panicked and rushed over here, trying not to lose it ... " She trailed off, her words stumbling over her nerves. "It's just so important to me ... Please understand, I couldn't bear the thought of losing it ... " Her gaze dropped to the floor, her eyes fixed on the chaos around her. The guilt was clear on her face. "You know how much this talisman means to me," she whispered. "If I lost it, I don't know what I'd do ... Please, don't be mad at me ... "Her hand reached out to him, lightly gripping the fabric of his shirt in a silent plea for understanding. As soon as Lance saw the talisman in Virginia's hand, the tension that had been gripping him seemed to ease. This object held memories—pure memories—ones that always held a special place in his heart. There was still a part of him that felt a tenderness for his first love, a part that the talisman seemed to preserve. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the talisman Virginia held acted almost like a filter, softening the harshness of his memories of that first love. As long as the talisman remained, it was difficult for him to let go of the past so easily. "I'm not angry," Lance said, his voice calm as he gently placed his hand over hers. "I know how much this talisman means to you." Something in his tone shifted. His voice, softer than usual, took Virginia by surprise. She couldn't help but wonder why he was being so understanding, why he was showing her such gentleness.But there was no time for questions. She was too focused on the sense of relief that washed over her, feeling like she had narrowly escaped disaster. It seems that Lance hasn't seen the talisman on Addison. If that's true, I can hold on a little longer—as long as Addison doesn't reveal it to him. Virginia sighed deeply, unaware that the sound escaped her lips. Lance seemed lost in his own thoughts, not noticing her reaction. His voice remained steady, but there was a softness in it, as if he were recalling something distant. "Actually, this talisman is meaningful to me as well. Do you know why? "Many years ago, on a bright afternoon, the sun shining down and the water gently rippling, my brother and I were struggling in the river. We were calling for help, desperate to survive ... but no one came. "Just when I thought it was the end ... you appeared." Lance's voice lowered, and his eyes seemed to look far away, as though he were reliving the moment. "You were bathed in sunlight, like something from a dream, glowing with an otherworldly grace. Without hesitation, you leaped into the water, pulling my brother and me to safety. "You can't imagine how surprised I was to see you ... How much hope you gave me in that moment when I thought death was imminent." Lance smiled faintly, the warmth in his expression a sharp contrast to the gravity of his words. Virginia stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest, her blood running cold. She stared at him, unable to move, as a chill settled deep within her. She knew—the person Lance was describing wasn't her. She had never saved anyone, never done anything selfless enough to jump into a river to rescue someone else. Virginia was selfish by nature, driven by her own desires, never caring enough to put herself at risk for someone else. She hadn't even done that when she was younger. Her blood turned to ice, and her world seemed to blur. A sinking feeling of despair took root in her chest. She had thought that it was her charm that had made Lance fall for her. But now, she realized the truth—she had been mistaken. In the end, it's all just a misunderstanding?Have I truly only been confused for someone else? From the moment Virginia first met Lance, she had never seen such softness in his eyes. The tenderness in his gaze was unmistakable, but it wasn't meant for her—it was for the girl in his memories, the one who had saved him. Virginia's slender hand curled into a fist, trembling slightly at her side. Lance's voice, gentle and filled with nostalgia, continued. "When I was younger, soaked to the bone and lying in the grass, struggling to breathe after nearly drowning ... it was your eyes that stayed with me, forever etched in my heart. "Virginia, that was the first time we met, and I will never forget it." He looked down, meeting her eyes with such deep affection that it almost seemed to pierce through her. But Virginia couldn't bring herself to return his gaze. She couldn't. That wasn't her ... and it certainly wasn't their first meeting—it was someone else. The realization hit her like a tidal wave of rage, almost shattering her control. Lance, always distant and cold, would never speak with such tenderness to just anyone. Even during their passionate relationship, he had never expressed his love through such warm, emotional words—only through actions. It was clear that the girl he was speaking of held a special place in his heart. "I ... " Virginia managed a weak smile, forcing a faint, hollow grin. But her vulnerability was short-lived. She quickly regained her composure, her thoughts sharp and calculated. If Lance believed she was that girl, then she would be. She had to convince herself of her own strength. This way, she wouldn't reveal her true self. "Lance ... hearing you talk about our first meeting like this ... it really touches me." Though Virginia's heart was breaking, she kept up her composed exterior. She gathered her emotions, her eyes unknowingly filling with tears. Her face softened, as if truly moved.Anyone who didn't know would've thought she was the girl he was describing. She gripped Lance's sleeve, her eyes welling up with tears from his kind words. It was enough to make him deeply emotional. "I never imagined anyone would remember me for so long ... not even my own parents have cared for me this much." "Please don't cry," Lance whispered, his voice soothing. Virginia sobbed quietly, her voice shaky. "I'm just so overwhelmed, Lance. I only helped out of basic kindness, but I never expected to be remembered for all these years. It's an honor ... "I never thought much of it back then, I just saw someone in danger and acted without thinking ... Now that I think about it, I suppose it was a little reckless." She placed her hand over her heart, as if the fear from that moment was still lingering inside her. Lance, noticing the flush on her face and the tears in her eyes, sighed and gently pulled her into his arms. "You're just too kind ... When you saw someone in need, you didn't hesitate for a second to help, not even considering your own safety ..."That's one of the reasons I admire you so much." Virginia rested her head against his chest, listening to Lance speak with such sincerity while she quietly cried. "After that day, I never heard from you again ... "I searched everywhere, desperate to find you. Searching felt like looking for a needle in a haystack. I couldn't find any trace of you. "I thought I would never see you again ... "But then, by some twist of fate, heaven gave me another chance—a chance to meet you again ... "The moment I saw the talisman you were wearing, I knew it was you." Virginia froze. Her sobs stopped in an instant as she stared at him, wide-eyed. The talisman? Addison was the one who saved Lance? Virginia's mind raced as her blood seemed to freeze. The absurdity of it all was too much to bear. How could Kreshill be so small?Small enough that the person who saved Lance was Addison? After everything, I'm the a replacement? Lance has mistaken his first love for me? This is too ridiculous to be real. Virginia couldn't even believe the words she had just heard.