Lucian stood in his study, lights low, city lights glowing beyond the glass walls.
The twins were asleep.
Chloe was locked in her suite, sipping wine and hiding secrets.
But his mind was on her.
> Raina.
He hadn't slept. Not since she returned.
Not since she whispered vengeance like a curse at Selena's grave.
He'd buried her a decade ago—not literally, but emotionally. It was the only way he could breathe after what he did. After what they all did.
But now she was back. And she wasn't the soft girl he remembered.
She was ice. Wrapped in elegance. Beautiful in a way that burned.
Lucian reached for his phone.
No messages.
He opened the old file folder. Tucked behind business contracts and weapons shipments was a photo: Raina, Selena, and him. Before everything shattered.
He ran a hand through his white hair and whispered, "What have I done?"
Then he dialed.
It rang once.
Twice.
On the third ring, she picked up.
Her voice was cold. Dry.
> "Don't call me again."
> "Raina, wait—"
> "You don't get to say my name anymore, Lucian."
> "I need to talk to you. Not as—"
> "You don't need anything from me."
He swallowed hard. "Selena would've wanted us to—"
The line went dead.
He stared at the phone.
She had hung up.
But he didn't feel anger.
He felt guilt.
And shame.
Because the woman who answered wasn't the girl he betrayed.
And if he wanted to reach her now… he'd have to face everything he buried with her.
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