LUCIAN
I knew the moment she arrived.
I’d been standing by the study window, watching as she stood beside her luggage, speaking with George. She looked stiff and entirely out of place, her eyes moving over the house like she’d stepped into the wrong life by mistake.
So different from the sharp-tongued woman who never hesitate to challenge me.
Out there, she looked… small and guarded.
I almost went down to meet her.
Almost.
Instead, I turned away and went to help the boys with their bath.
Lucas leaned over the edge. “Is she here?”
“Yes,” I replied.
He broke into a wide smile. “We didn’t tell anyone.”
They’d been vibrating with excitement all evening, whispering and giggling like little conspirators.
“Good job, kiddo.”
About thirty minutes later, clean and dressed, they held m
