Lucian stood outside the door of Kane House, his fingers nervously brushing the hem of his new black jeans. His white shirt clung to his chest in the cool air, and his sneakers squeaked softly against the tiles beneath him.
He let out a sigh, his breath heavy with frustration. Please, not today. I’m not in the mood for any long talks with them. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, but the looming possibility of facing his mother and the others felt overwhelming.
He glanced at the door, half-expecting it to remain shut. To his surprise, it opened with a near-silent creak.
Stepping inside, Lucian’s shoes clicked faintly against the pristine white tiles of the hallway. His gaze instinctively darted up as his foot met the familiar floor. He moved forward, intent on heading upstairs and avoiding any unnecessary interaction. His mother had been spending all her time in the lobby lately, rarely retreating to her office. Discover hidden content at empire
But something felt off.
Lucian’s steps faltered as his surroundings sank in. He froze. The lobby, usually quiet and orderly, now felt… different.
Boxes were stacked on tables, their surfaces cluttered with neatly wrapped packages. The normally bare, inviting sofas were draped with glossy gift bags, their bright colors clashing with the minimalist decor of the room.
Lucian’s brow furrowed. What is this? His mind raced. What’s going on? Is it someone’s birthday? No… neither Rose nor Mother’s birthdays are anywhere near. And none of them ever celebrate like this anyway. Is there some kind of event I don’t know about?
His gaze shifted, drawn instinctively toward the women sitting on the sofas. They were waiting for him.
First, his eyes locked on his mother. She sat still, her posture poised but oddly gentle, a softness in her expression Lucian had never seen before. Olivia’s steady gaze held a warmth that felt entirely out of place, like she was trying really trying to bridge the gap between them. Slowly, she began to rise, her movements careful and measured, as though afraid of startling him.
Lucian, rooted to the spot, stared into her eyes for what felt like an eternity. The intensity of her gaze unsettled him. There was something so uncharacteristically tender about her today. It wasn’t the complicated web of emotions that usually churned within him when he looked at her it was something else entirely.
Why is she looking at me like that? Lucian thought, his chest tightening. For the first time since his regression, he didn’t feel angry or defensive when he saw her. Instead, there was something deep within her expression that he couldn’t quite place.
His gaze flickered to Olivia, who had also risen. Her posture was straight, her features sharp and unreadable, as always. But her eyes they held a quiet patience, a softness that seemed new. Subtle, yes, but unmistakable.
What changed? Lucian wondered, his confusion deepening. He’d barely spoken to Olivia that morning, yet she looked different now almost unburdened, as if the weight she usually carried had been lifted. Did something happen while I was out?
He sighed, the tension in his shoulders mounting. I really don’t have the strength for this today.
Breaking their gazes, Lucian turned toward the stairs. With a slight shake of his head, he quickened his steps, trying to escape before the atmosphere could grow more suffocating. The faint sound of his sneakers echoed in the silence, but inside, his thoughts were anything but quiet.
“Welcome home,” she said, her voice soft and welcoming. There was no edge, no demand just a warmth that seeped into Lucian’s chest, making it tighten further.
“Thanks,” Lucian muttered, his voice barely audible, avoiding her gaze.
“Lucian,” they called in unison. Both Rose and Olivia spoke his name at the same time, their voices overlapping.
He sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping in resignation. Slowly, he turned around to face them.
“Hey, Mother… and you too, sister,” he said, his tone distant but polite. He raised his hand, gesturing with his thumb toward the stairs. “I really have something to do. Can we talk tomorrow?” His words were soft, almost pleading, as he tried to sidestep the situation.
But Olivia didn’t budge. She shook her head slowly, her gaze steady.
“No,” she said firmly, her voice calm but resolute. “I have something very special to do right now, so… no.”
Lucian blinked, caught off guard by her response. Before he could react, Olivia took a deliberate step toward him, closing the distance between them.
“Mother,” he started, his tone wary, but his words died in his throat when she took another step closer.
Instinctively, Lucian stepped back, his movements stiff. His pulse quickened, a subtle panic stirring in his chest. Olivia noticed immediately. She stopped in her tracks, her expression flickering with some sadness .
Her eyes softened for a moment. There was a flash of hurt there, but she quickly composed herself, her lips pressing into a determined line. Refusing to let her emotions take over, she moved forward again, more carefully this time.
Lucian’s body tensed as she reached out. He stood frozen as Olivia gently took his hand in hers. Her touch was light, almost hesitant, as if she feared he might pull away.
“Now,” Olivia said softly, her tone low but unwavering, “be a good boy and listen to what your mother has to say, okay?”
Lucian’s gaze dropped to where her hand held his. He stared at it, a mix of confusion and unease clouding his expression. It wasn’t rough or forceful her grip was steady, reassuring even.
For a moment, he thought about yanking his hand away, but something about her persistence her quiet determination held him in place.
Without another word, Olivia gently tugged him toward the couch where Rose was now standing, watching the exchange with a faintly amused but curious expression.
Lucian followed silently, his thoughts swirling in a whirlwind of emotions. He couldn’t quite process what was happening. Olivia was acting so… strange. She was usually distant, composed, unreadable. But now? Now she was warm, insistent, and maybe even caring?
It was overwhelming, to say the least.
As they reached the couch, Lucian hesitated, his eyes darting between Olivia and Rose. He couldn’t shake the unease brewing inside him, but he also couldn’t bring himself to resist. Everything about Olivia’s behavior was so uncharacteristic, and it threw him off balance.
What is this? Why are they acting like this today? he wondered, his mind spinning.
Olivia let go of his hand once he sat down, but the weight of her actions lingered. He glanced down at his now-empty palm, his fingers twitching slightly. For once, the room felt suffocating not because of hostility, but because of the emotions bubbling to the surface.
He glanced up briefly, his gaze landing on his mother, who had been silent but watchful throughout the exchange. Rose’s lips twitched into a faint smile, though her eyes carried a knowing glint.
Lucian looked away, swallowing the lump in his throat. His heart pounded in his chest, and for the first time in a long while, he wasn’t sure how to feel.
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fkkkkk sighhh am never doing this again 10 chapters in one day is Fking hell ahhh