Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMDCBNZ2CPGSYHXBVCNXQB

Aurora Carter stood in the narrow hallway of Eva's flat, her fingers brushing the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist, a nervous habit she hadn't quite shaken. The scent of curry wafted up from the restaurant below, mingling with the musty aroma of old books and parchment. She glanced at the three deadbolts on the front door, each one a testament to Eva's paranoia, and wondered if she should have called first. But it was too late for second-guessing now. She raised her hand and knocked, the sound echoing in the cramped stairwell. A moment later, she heard the shuffling of feet and the soft meow of Ptolemy, Eva's tabby cat. The door creaked open, revealing not Eva, but Lucien Moreau. "Rory," he said, his voice a smooth blend of surprise and something else she couldn't quite place. His heterochromatic eyes—one amber, one black—studied her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "Lucien," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "I didn't expect to see you here." He stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. "Eva's out. She asked me to keep an eye on the place." Aurora hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The flat was as cluttered as ever, every surface covered with books, scrolls, and research notes. Ptolemy wound his way around her ankles, purring softly. "Still the same," she murmured, more to herself than to Lucien. "Some things never change," he said, closing the door behind her. The sound of the deadbolts sliding into place was oddly comforting. She turned to face him, taking in the sight of his tailored charcoal suit and the ivory-handled cane he always carried. He looked as impeccably dressed as ever, a stark contrast to her own casual attire. She felt a pang of self-consciousness but pushed it aside. "Why are you really here, Lucien?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. He raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Straight to the point, as always. I could ask you the same question." "I needed to talk to Eva," she said, avoiding his gaze. "It's... personal." "Everything with you is personal," he replied, his tone softening. "But I won't pry." She looked up at him then, meeting his mismatched eyes. There was a time when she had found comfort in those eyes, a time when they had shared more than just secrets and stolen moments. But that was before everything had gone wrong, before the hurt and the misunderstandings. "How have you been?" he asked, breaking the silence. "Busy," she said with a shrug. "Work, life, you know how it is." He nodded, his expression unreadable. "I do." They stood there for a moment, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Aurora felt a surge of frustration. She had come here to escape, to find solace in Eva's company, not to be confronted with the ghosts of her past. "Look, if this is awkward for you, I can leave," she said, taking a step back toward the door. Lucien's hand shot out, gently grasping her wrist. "No, stay. Please." She looked down at his hand, the touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. She had forgotten how much she missed his touch, how much she missed him. But she couldn't let herself fall back into old patterns, not after everything that had happened. "Why, Lucien?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why should I stay?" He let go of her wrist, his hand falling to his side. "Because we never got the chance to say what needed to be said." Aurora felt a lump form in her throat. He was right. They had parted on complicated terms, with so much left unsaid. But she wasn't sure if she was ready to open those old wounds. "Maybe some things are better left unsaid," she said, turning away from him. "Or maybe they're the things that matter the most," he countered, his voice firm but gentle. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She had spent so long running from her past, from the pain and the memories. But maybe it was time to face them, to face him. "Alright," she said, turning back to him. "Let's talk." Lucien's eyes softened, and he gestured to the small, cluttered living room. "Shall we sit?" She nodded, following him to the worn-out sofa. They sat down, the silence stretching between them like a chasm. Ptolemy jumped up onto Aurora's lap, his purring a soothing background noise. "Where do we start?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "How about the beginning?" he suggested, his eyes never leaving hers. She nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright. The beginning." They talked for what felt like hours, unraveling the tangled web of their past. They spoke of the good times, the moments of laughter and connection, and the bad times, the misunderstandings and the hurt. Aurora found herself opening up in a way she hadn't in years, the words spilling out of her like a dam that had finally burst. Lucien listened, his expression thoughtful and attentive. He shared his own perspective, his own regrets and hopes. They didn't always agree, but for the first time, they truly listened to each other. As the conversation wound down, Aurora felt a sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She looked at Lucien, seeing him not as the man who had hurt her, but as the man who had once been her closest confidant, her partner in crime. "Thank you," she said softly. "For listening." He reached out, taking her hand in his. "Thank you for giving me the chance." They sat there in silence for a moment, the connection between them stronger than it had been in years. Aurora felt a flicker of hope, a possibility of something new. "Maybe we can start over," she said, her voice tentative. Lucien's eyes lit up, a small smile playing at his lips. "I'd like that." Aurora smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. It wouldn't be easy, and there were still many things to work through, but for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful. As they sat there, hand in hand, Ptolemy curled up on her lap, Aurora knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter. And for the first time in a long time, she was ready to face it, together with Lucien.