Roxanne was stunned. Lucian held her lips captive for a full three seconds before releasing her, straightening his posture. Quietly clenching her fists, she fought to regain control before the audience. Her eyelids fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes. A small smile played on Lucian's lips as he stood beside her, vanishing the instant she looked at him. At an angle hidden from the audience, Roxanne allowed herself a slight frown before stepping down from the bed.

For the rest of the play, Roxanne somehow maintained her composure. Lucian's sudden kiss had thrown her mind into chaos. Only when the children led her by the hand to the stage's edge did she snap out of her daze. Recovering herself, she bowed to thunderous applause. The audience, mesmerized by the scene's fantastical ambiance, remained oblivious to the kiss's authenticity. All they saw was beauty. After the applause, Roxanne fluttered, then quickly exited and returned to her seat.

"Ms. Jarvis, you two were absolutely stunning!" Cassandra exclaimed from behind. Roxanne had calmed slightly, but Cassandra's comment sent her mind reeling again. The warmth of Lucian's kiss lingered on her lips. Offering an apologetic look, Roxanne excused herself. "Sorry, I'm feeling a little unwell. I need some fresh air."

"Do you need me to come with you?" Cassandra asked with concern.

Before hearing the reply, Roxanne left. The host was still giving concluding remarks. Archie and Benny glanced in Roxanne's direction, worry etched on their faces; they wanted to follow her. They had seen the onstage kiss—Lucian's unscripted, real kiss—and understood her strange behavior.

Just as Archie and Benny rose, a tall figure intercepted them. Lucian, lowering his gaze, addressed the boys. "You boys stay. I'll see how she's doing." He gently pushed them back into their seats before pursuing Roxanne.

Outside, Roxanne sat quietly on a playground slide, her mind a whirlwind. Lucian's kiss burned in her memory, impossible to shake. During rehearsals, she'd tried to skip the final scene. Lucian had persuaded her that rehearsing the kiss would make the fake one more convincing, and she'd naively believed him. She never expected his real kiss.

At that moment, Roxanne's mind went blank. If not for the audience, she didn't know how she would have reacted. Lucian's expression when she opened her eyes… she couldn't recall it. Closing her eyes, she searched her memory, but his expression remained elusive. It had seemed natural, as if that's how the scene was intended.

Roxanne wondered if the kiss was an illusion. Touching her lips, she knew it was real. Yet the meaning eluded her. Was it an accident? Overthinking? Lost in thought, she was oblivious to an approaching figure.