In Lucian's house.
They all spent some time together, talking and sharing stories.
Seraphina didn't speak much—she mostly listened.
It felt comforting, watching her son laugh like that, so genuinely happy.
It was a sight she hadn't seen in a long time—one she had thought she had lost forever.
Even Lia… the girl was kind. At first, she seemed a little uncomfortable around her, but after talking for a while, she opened up.
She truly was a good sister to Lucian—kind, cute, and sincere.
Seraphina noticed Lia zoning out mid-conversation.
"What happened?" Lucian asked in concern.
"Ah– nothing." She smiled, though there was a trace of sadness in it.
"Just remembered father and mother."
"Oh," Lucian muttered softly.
Seeing his mother like this, Lia must have remembered their parents.
It wasn't that Lucian didn't remember them—or didn't think about them.
He did
But he chose to focus on what was in front of him.
With the stress of protecting his mother, worrying about his sister, and the looming apocalypse, he hadn't allowed himself the time to reminisce.
It might have sounded cold.
But he had seen his sister die.
He had seen his mother suffer.
And he wasn't going to let anything stop him now.
Lucian looked at Lia, then raised his hand and gently patted her head.
He didn't say anything.
He didn't need to.
Lia smiled faintly, looking at him.
Seraphina watched the scene and smiled as well.
Her son had truly become dependable.
She reached out and placed her hand over Lia's.
Lia turned toward her.
"I am Lucian's mother.' She said softly.
"So… I am like a mother to you, too."
Lia's eyes widened in surprised.
"Mm."
She nodded.
***
After that, they had lunch.
Lia cooked while Lucian helped her.
Seraphina had wanted to cook as well, but they stopped her.
She had only just gotten out of that hellhole, and Lucian didn't want her doing anything—at least not until she was healthier.
Even though her treatment had improved slightly, she was still a bit skinny.
So she just watched them cook.
Lucian had learned to cook during this period. Nothing fancy—just basic dishes, but enough to manage.
After lunch, they went shopping. Seraphina had almost no clothes of her own.
Then they went out for a while. It had been so long since Seraphina had been outside, walking freely beneath the open sky.
By the time they returned home, it was already evening.
During dinner, Lia suddenly spoke up.
"Where will Ms. Sera sleep?"
Neither Lucian nor Seraphina had insisted on formality.
Seraphina had told Lia she could see her as a mother—but she didn't force her to call her Mom.
Lucian, knowing that, didn't interfere.
Still, Lia's question was valid.
"Hm." He tilted his head, thinking.
"Mo–"
Before he could respond,
"I can sleep with brother–"
"I can sleep with Lucian–"
Both stopped, looking at each other.
Lucian raised his eyebrows.
[Mr. Popular.] Akasha teased.
Seraphina tilted her head slightly, waiting for Lia to continue.
Lia cleared her throat, suddenly flustered.
"Um… I meant—
You can sleep in my room. I will sleep with Brother."
She didn't mind sleeping in Lucian's room. In fact, she often did—it was lonely sleeping alone.
"You don't have to worry about me," Seraphina said gently, looking at Lucian.
"I can sleep with you."
Then she hesitated.
"I can… right?"
Having her son back, she wanted to keep him as close as possible.
But she still asked.
She knew some children disliked clingy parents, and she didn't want him to start resenting her for that.
"Mom, you don't have to talk like that," Lucian said quietly.
His mother had been lonely for years.
He wanted to fulfil every wish she had.
Lia stopped insisting as well, understanding his decision.
***
Inside the washroom, Seraphina looked at her reflection.
So much had happened in just one day.
All because of her stupid son.
Thinking of him, a smile slowly crept onto her usually cold, expressionless face.
Why hadn't he told her earlier that he was her son?
She knew the answer.
There were many reasons—one of them being that piece of shit finding out.
If Lucian had told her the truth on the very first day… she might have dismissed him. She might have pushed him away.
She washed her face.
She looked better now than she had when they first met.
Then her thoughts drifted to the mental facility.
Her expression turned cold.
She still harboured deep resentment toward that place.
Especially toward certain people within it.