She paused, her hands still cradling his face as her tears mingled with his. “Just trust me. I swear… I will never repeat the mistakes I made. I’ll be the best mother I can be, no matter what it takes.”
From the corner of the room, Rose stood silently, watching the two. Her sharp features softened as the scene unfolded before her. She turned her head away, unable to let them see the tears slipping down her own cheeks.
Her pride wouldn’t allow her to reveal how deeply this moment touched her, how much she too wished things could have been different. Quietly, she raised a hand to wipe her tears away, masking her emotions behind her usual composure. A small, gentle smile flickered on her lips for a brief moment before she forced it away.
Lucian and Olivia didn’t notice her at all. They were lost in their own world, a world filled with broken pieces they were both trying to mend.
“And also…” Olivia’s voice broke again, pulling Lucian’s attention back to her. She swallowed hard, her gaze steady but filled with fear. “Please, Lucian. Before you ever think that no one loves you… before you think you’re alone…” Her voice cracked, and a fresh wave of tears escaped her eyes. She raised a hand to wipe them away with her sleeve, her movements hurried and trembling. “Please, just remember I love you. You have a family. You always have.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy and fragile, like a porcelain promise she was desperate to keep.
“I know…” she continued, her voice quieter now. “I know it’s hard for you to believe after… after everything that’s happened. But please… please, before you do anything wrong or… or stupid…” Her voice faltered, but she pushed through, her hands tightening slightly on his face. “Come to me. Talk to me. Promise me.”
Lucian didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. His heart felt too full, his emotions too raw. But he managed a trembling smile, his lips curling upward as he raised a hand to gently wipe away her tears.
Olivia’s shoulders shook at his touch, her heart breaking and healing all at once. She could feel the weight of his pain, his forgiveness, and his hope all mingled with her own desperation to set things right.
She was scared. Terrified, in fact. The thought of Lucian spiraling into the same darkness she had once faced was unbearable. She couldn’t let that happen she wouldn’t.
Not again. Never again.
She closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep, shuddering breath. I will pay him back for everything he’s ever deserved. I’ll give him everything I never gave before. No matter what it takes.
“Rose,” Olivia said suddenly, her voice shaky but louder now. She wiped at her face quickly, brushing away the remnants of her tears. “Give me the white box on the couch.”
Rose blinked, startled by Olivia’s sudden request. She quickly straightened, hastily turning her head to the side so neither her mother nor Lucian could see the evidence of her tears. She composed herself, her lips pressing tightly together, and turned her gaze toward the couch where the small white box rested on the armrest.
“Huh? Oh… this one?” Rose asked, pointing to it. Her voice was quieter than usual, carrying a faint shakiness as she tried to mask the emotions that still lingered in her throat.
“Yes, yes,” Olivia said, nodding quickly. Her voice trembled slightly, but she tried to steady herself as she wiped at her tear-streaked face.
Rose hesitated for a brief moment, glancing at the box before picking it up. Her fingers brushed over its smooth, cool surface. What’s in it? she wondered silently. A small furrow formed between her brows. She knew they hadn’t bought this box earlier today. Did Mother prepare this beforehand?
She turned, holding the box in both hands, and brought it to Olivia. “Mother… this?” she asked quietly, offering it to her.
Olivia took the box gently, her fingers trembling slightly as she placed it beside Lucian on the couch. The soft thud of the box meeting the cushion seemed to echo louder than it should have in the heavy silence.
Rose’s curiosity grew, her gaze shifting between Olivia and Lucian. What could this be? she wondered, a faint unease creeping up her spine.
Lucian, meanwhile, eyed the box warily. His stomach churned slightly, an inexplicable heaviness settling over him. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his thoughts a storm of unease and apprehension.
“Hey, Mother,” Lucian said softly, his voice tinged with nervousness. He wiped at the lingering tears in his eyes before continuing, “I… I had something to do. Let me go to my room.” He moved to stand, his hands pressing against the couch to push himself up.
But before he could rise, Olivia gently placed her hand over his. Her touch was soft but firm, enough to make him stop and look at her.
“No, please. Wait,” she said, her voice gentle but laced with an undercurrent of urgency. Her eyes searched his face, pleading silently. “I know it’s hard, but… don’t go.”
Lucian hesitated, his eyes darting to the side to avoid her gaze. He sighed deeply, his discomfort evident in the tension in his shoulders. “Mother…” he started, but Olivia interrupted him with a quiet, soothing voice.
“Don’t worry. I understand everything,” she said softly, trying to reassure him as she offered him a faint smile. It was small, but there was an aching warmth behind it a mother’s love and determination.
Lucian exhaled slowly, his head dipping slightly. He felt a flicker of frustration, not with her, but with himself. He hated showing his scars. They were a constant reminder of his worst memories of pain, of fear, of everything he wanted to leave behind. And yet, no matter how much discomfort he felt, he couldn’t bring himself to reject his mother. Not now. Not even then, when things had been so much worse.
He glanced away, his eyes fixed on a distant point as he lowered himself back onto the couch. His chest rose and fell as he took another deep breath, trying to steady himself.
Olivia sat beside him, her hands trembling as she reached for his arm. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers hovering just above the fabric of his white shirt. Her breath hitched, but she pushed forward, gently placing her hands on his arm.
Lucian flinched slightly at her touch, his own hands trembling in his lap. His heart raced, an uneasy fear gripping him.
Olivia took another deep breath, steeling herself. She brought her trembling hands to the buttons of his sleeve and began to unfasten them. Her movements were slow and careful, as though she feared she might hurt him with even the smallest action.
Lucian closed his eyes tightly, his teeth clenching as she rolled up the sleeve of his right arm. The cool air brushed against his skin, and his breathing quickened.
Rose, standing to the side, watched the scene unfold. Her brows furrowed, and a pang of unease twisted in her chest. She noticed the first aid box Olivia had placed beside Lucian earlier and felt her stomach drop. What is she doing? she wondered, dread creeping up her spine.
—–