Lyra’s POV
In the middle of the night, a sharp thud echoed in the silence. I jolted up, eyes half-open, fingers fumbling for the bedside lamp. When the light flicked on, I turned and tapped the space beside me.
"Hey… Lucian, did you hear that sound?" I mumbled, still thick with sleep.
But my hand landed on nothing—just empty sheets.
My eyes snapped open fully now. Lucian wasn't there.
His wheelchair… missing too.
"Oh God…" I whispered, my voice trembling as I sat up. “How did he even manage to climb off the bed… or get into the wheelchair by himself?”
Heart pounding, I stood up and headed straight to the bathroom. Empty.
I rushed out and checked every room, calling out for him in thick whispers. Nothing. Even Lilian was sound asleep in her room.
And then I remembered that noise.
