Chapter 621: Together

Qiao Jun didn't believe her for a second.

He shifted to face her, his hands cupping her face gently but firmly, forcing her to look at him. His eyes searched hers, unwavering.

"Lea, you don't have to carry everything alone," he said firmly. "I'm here. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

The sincerity in his tone broke through her defenses, and the tears she had been holding back spilled freely.

"It was about my family... about my mother, my brothers..." Her voice cracked as she tried to piece together her jumbled thoughts.

Qiao Jun stayed silent, letting her take her time.

"They—" she swallowed hard, her voice trembling, "—they were in a ritual. They... they killed themselves, Jun. I saw it. It felt real. Too real."

His eyes darkened, and his grip on her tightened protectively. "A ritual? What kind of ritual?"

"I don't know," she admitted, shaking her head in frustration.