I busied myself with my chores, hoping to shake off the strange tension that had settled over me since our return from the mall yesterday. I had already thanked Lucian for everything, but his unreadable expression still lingered in my mind. It was as if something was troubling him, yet he refused to acknowledge it.
I was dusting the shelves in the sitting room when the front doors suddenly opened. A man walked in, his sharp gaze scanning the space before landing on me. He was tall, well-dressed, and carried himself with an air of familiarity—like someone with authority and presence. He looked like he was in his 60s. He was undeniably attractive, but I shook the thought away before it could take root.
Straightening, I asked, “Can I help you?”
Before he could answer, Lucian’s voice echoed
