CHAPTER 31 – THE UNBROKEN MASK
LUCIAN
The city was already awake when I stepped onto the balcony of my penthouse. Arden's skyline glittered under the pale gold of dawn, its glass towers catching the first light like polished blades. My coffee steamed against the morning air, rich and black no sugar, no cream.
Routine was everything. Wake before the sun. Work out. Review international reports. Coffee. The world could fall apart, but I'd keep the same rhythm.
Five years, and I hadn't missed a morning.
My phone buzzed. Silas, as punctual as ever, was already downstairs waiting with the car. I finished my coffee and turned back inside. The penthouse was minimalist dark wood, black marble, no clutter. People called it cold. I called it controlled.
"Morning," Silas said when I slid into the backseat. His tie was already loosened he never cared about appearances as much as I did.
"Status?" I asked, pulling up the day's schedule.
"Europe division is stable. New York just sent in their quarterly numbers they're up ten percent. Board wants to discuss expansion into the Middle East. And…" he smirked, "…your mother called. Twice."
Of course she did.
"She says she wants you at dinner tonight. Apparently Aurora has 'news.'"
I arched a brow. "The kind of news that needs champagne or the kind that needs damage control?"
"Too early to tell." Silas grinned, clearly entertained. "But if I had to guess, probably both."
I didn't respond.
The headquarters of Lysander Enterprise rose like a monument over Arden City, a tower of glass and steel that carried my family's name though it was my vision, my blood and sleepless nights, that had turned it into the global powerhouse it was today.
Inside the boardroom, the day was merciless. Decisions on mergers, negotiations on new markets, reviews of competitors. I thrived on it. The room always went silent when I spoke, every eye fixed on me admiration and fear in equal measure.
By noon, the market reports showed another record quarter.
"Congratulations, sir," one of the directors said, voice a little too eager. "Lysander Enterprise is now officially the leading private conglomerate in three continents."
I nodded once. Success was expected. Anything less would have been failure.
The meeting ended, and as the room cleared, Silas lingered. "You could at least try to look pleased. You just made half these people richer."
"They should work harder," I said simply, gathering my papers.
Silas sighed, following me into my office. "You know, most people would celebrate news like this. You? You just look like someone added another weight to your bench press."
He wasn't wrong. Achievement didn't move me anymore not the way it used to. Not since that night.
Five years, and I could still remember every detail.
I pushed the thought away as I turned to the floor-to-ceiling window. Arden stretched below me, sprawling, relentless. Somewhere out there, life went on. Somewhere out there, a woman I'd never found still haunted my sleep.
"Lucian."
I turned to see Silas watching me, expression softer now. He didn't need to say it he was the only one who knew.
"I'm fine," I said, more sharply than I meant to.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "If you say so."
That evening, I went to my parents' estate. The Dreven manor was all marble halls and oil paintings, the kind of place where history pressed down on you with every step. My mother met me at the door, elegant as always, and immediately scolded me for working too much.
"You've been like this for years, Lucian," she said as we sat for dinner. "Ever since"
"Mother," I warned.
She stopped, pursing her lips. My father cleared his throat. "She's only concerned. We all are. It's been five years since the engagement ended. You're thirty-two now. Don't you think it's time"
"To marry? Produce heirs? Keep the family name going?" My voice was flat.
"to be happy," Aurora cut in gently. She sat across from me, her smile bright and mischievous. "You're too handsome to keep sulking forever, big brother. Arden is full of beautiful women."
"I'm not interested," I said curtly.
"Not interested, or still waiting for someone who doesn't exist?" she teased, though her tone softened at my look.
Aurora was the only one who could get away with that.
Dinner passed in polite conversation, but the weight of their words followed me back to the penthouse.
I didn't pour myself a drink. I didn't loosen my tie. I simply stood at the window, staring down at the glittering city.
They thought this was about my ex-fiancée.
They had no idea.
Five years ago, my life had shifted in one night. I'd chased away the man who tried to hurt her, tried to help her but the drugs had been too strong, the night too blurred. I never saw her face clearly.
But I remembered her.
And somewhere out there, she existed.
Silas' voice came from behind me. "You're not going to stop looking, are you?"
"No."
"Even if she doesn't want to be found?"
My jaw tightened. "Then she should have stayed hidden better."
Silas chuckled softly. "One day, Lucian, you're going to meet her again. And I can't wait to see what that does to you."
I didn't reply. I just kept staring at the city until the lights blurred and the memories came back.