The city stretched out beneath me, luminous and alive, but tonight, I wasn’t just watching it—I was stepping into it, fully present, fully alive, fully myself. The hum of life, the distant sounds of traffic, the twinkling lights of the skyline—it all felt like a stage for a moment I had waited years to orchestrate.
Lucian’s hand found mine as we approached my mother’s door. The warmth of his touch grounded me, calmed the flutter in my stomach, and reminded me that no matter what happened inside those walls, I wasn’t alone. Behind us, his brothers, Adrian and Cassian, walked with easy confidence, their quiet smiles and subtle attentiveness hinting at the loyalty and care they shared for their family.
“I still can’t believe we’re doing this,” I murmured, my voice low. “After everything… af
