Lucius stood in front of the bedroom mirror, carefully folding the last of his shirts. The early morning light filtered softly through the blinds, casting a gentle glow over the room. The familiar routine of getting ready was much like any other day, but there was an undeniable weight in the air—a tension that neither of them had felt before. Catherine sat on the edge of the bed, watching him as he worked. The quiet was almost too heavy, but she didn’t want to break it, knowing that this was the moment before everything changed.
Lucius didn’t rush, taking his time to pack his suitcase with the precision and care he always applied to his work. He was methodical, but the usual calmness in his movements seemed to carry an edge today. His hands moved steadily, yet his gaze would occasionally
