Outside, Lucian's mind spiralled into many dark thoughts.
He really wanted to take his mother out of that place, but he couldn't for many reasons.
He couldn't even if he wanted to, since legally she was labelled as a criminal.
A woman convicted of abusing her own son.
He couldn't just barge into the facility, saying, 'I am her son, give her back to me,' and take her home.
Because her son was legally dead.
He was legally dead.
No one would believe him, and even if he claimed to be a relative, he had no documents to substantiate his claims.
No birth certificate, no DNA tests, nothing that connected him to his mother, to Seraphina Cross.
And if he claimed to be a relative?
They would laugh—and kick him out of the building.
He had no proof. No documents. No name that connected him to Seraphina Cross.
He clenched his jaw.
He didn't know whether his father was keeping tabs on her or not.
Knowing that man, and considering his character, it wouldn't be surprising.
He had only one way to take her out with him, and that was legally.
But for that,
"I need money and connections." He muttered to himself while walking down the street, his hands in his pockets.
The evening sky hung low, washed in dull shades of orange and grey.
He wore a white hoodie over a black T-shirt, slim black joggers clinging to his legs, and worn running shoes that had seen better days.
Nothing about him stood out—at least, not at first glance.
His apartment was far from the place his mother was kept so he had to take a public transport to come here.
'Lia is going to kill me if she found out that I went out this far without telling her.'
He sighed.
It was difficult to remember that he was the elder sibling.
Lia still scolded him whenever he was stayed out too long, even though he was already fit and capable enough to go outside without worrying about fatigue or dizziness.
But she had a reason.
He had felt dizzy during the first few days, and due to overwork, even fainted.
After that, Lia had practically locked him indoors, refusing to let him step outside for days.
He had been training for a month now.
It wasn't a long period of time for him to gain the physique of a Greek god, but it was enough to make a change from his previous form.
He now looked better, and didn't look like someone who might fly off by the wind.
Leaving his bodybuilding transformation for later, he had done one other thing.
He bought lottery tickets.
Before his regression, he remembered a handful of events—and this lottery result was among them.
He hated asking Lia for money.
It made him feel small. Useless.
But he asked anyway.
It wasn't the time to be controlled by ego or pride.
Lia, though surprised, gave it to him without even asking why he wanted it.
Without questions.
'Is my sister an angel?' He wondered.
[Yeah, your sister is the angel and I am the devil.]
Akasha grumbled, sulking.
'Oh, come on. Stop being jealous.' Lucian rolled his eyes.
Whenever he complimented on Lia, Akasha always said something to say.
[I am not jealous. I literally gave you another life and she is the angel?]
Her irritated voice further strengthened his theory that she was being jealous.
'And dear, I am grateful for that. Now, should I bow down to you so you believe me.'
[No need for that. As long as you acknowledge I'm the most important one.]
'Yes, yes, my dear angel.'
[HEY—!]
A small smile tugged at his lips.
A few men glanced at him strangely as he passed. A few women slowed their steps, their gazes lingering longer than necessary.
He ignored them all.
***
By the time he reached his apartment, the sky had darkened.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside.
As he entered, he was greeted by an aroma of delicious food.
"I'm home," he said, closing the door behind him.
As he walked into the kitchen, he saw Lia cooking.
Her slender figure stood over the stove, hair tied up in a loose ponytail that swayed as she moved. She was humming a tune.
The moment she sensed him, she turned.
And then—
She rushed at him.
"Welcome home!"
"Whoa—Lia—!"
She jumped straight into his arms, legs wrapping around his waist, arms locked tight around his shoulders.
The impact made him stagger back a step.
"Lia, I just came from outside." He said, trying to pry her off gently.
She didn't loosen her grip.
If anything, she tightened her arms around him and pressed her face into his neck.
[She's sniffing you like a dog.]
Akasha's voice rang in his head, sounding genuinely disturbed.
Lucian blinked and glanced down.
Lia's nose brushed against his skin.
He tilted his head slightly.
'She looks more like a cat.'
[...]
Akasha went silent.
[Are you worried about that. Didn't you hear?! She is sniffing you! What kind of sister does this!]
She couldn't understand this man anymore. She had thought he was still somewhat stable.
Apparently, her assumption was wrong.
[Is he already insane? Or was he insane from the start?]
But Lucian brushed it aside like it was nothing.
'What's the big deal? She is my sister. She can do anything she wants.' He said it casually, as if it was not weird at all.
Then he hugged her back, his hand instinctively moving to pat her head. At the same time, he peeked over her shoulder to make sure the food wasn't burning.
Lia trembled faintly in his arms and clutched him tighter.
[He's already crazy.] Akasha muttered.
She could somewhat understand Lucian's strange justification—he clung to the few bonds he had left.
Dying once, losing too much, having too little stability… it made sense that he would latch onto the only warmth he had.
But what she didn't understand was Lia.
Her clinginess had increased. No—multiplied.
Before, she was affectionate, yes.
She sought his comfort, yes.
But this?
This was different.
['She's getting attached too quickly…'] She thought to herself.