I hated lying to Lucien.
The moment the word “Nothing” left my mouth, guilt settled in my chest.
He studied me for a second longer.
Long enough that I thought he’d press the issue.
Instead, he simply nodded.
“If you need to talk…”
His voice was quiet.
“I’m here.”
The kindness in those four words made the secret feel even heavier.
⸻
That night…
Sleep refused to come.
The beach house was silent except for the steady rhythm of the waves outside.
I slipped carefully out of bed.
Lucien stirred.
“You okay?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
He rubbed his eyes.
“Want me to make hot chocolate?”
I smiled.
“At two in the morning?”
“You seem to like it.”
“I do.”
“But tonight…”
I glanced toward the living room.
“I just need some air.”
He nodded.
“I’ll leave the porch light on.”
⸻
The jo
