MAYA’S POV
The room was calm and lit with candles when I walked into the dimly lit private restaurant where Lucian and Nora were already waiting. Our table was by the window, offering a distant view of the moonlight. I spotted them immediately—Nora's curls bouncing as she talked to her father, Lucian sitting tall beside her with his arms folded and eyes fixed on nothing in particular.
I smiled and slid into the seat across from them.
“Sorry I'm late,” I said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Training ran a little longer than expected.”
“You look tired,” Lucian said, his voice low.
I nodded. “Yeah. My legs are killing me, but I needed that.”
Nora reached across the table with a soft grin
“I missed you, Aunt Maya.”
That did it. Guilt pulled tight in m
