Run: 2026-02-19-01KHSZ0WG5FY3W5MNTXCS2AAMK

Aurora Carter stood in the narrow hallway of Eva's flat, her hand hovering over the third deadbolt. She hesitated, her breath catching in her throat. The tabby cat, Ptolemy, weaved between her legs, purring softly. She glanced down at him, grateful for the distraction, but the moment of reprieve was fleeting. She turned the final lock and opened the door. Lucien Moreau stood on the other side, his heterochromatic eyes locking onto hers. The sight of him, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, sent a jolt through her. His platinum blond hair was slicked back, and he leaned casually on his ivory-handled cane. The air between them crackled with unspoken words and unresolved tension. "Rory," he greeted, his voice smooth and measured. "Lucien," she replied, her tone cooler than she intended. She stepped aside, allowing him to enter. The flat felt even smaller with him in it, his presence filling the space. He glanced around, taking in the clutter of books and scrolls. "Eva's not here?" "No, she's out for the evening," Rory said, closing the door behind him. "What do you want, Lucien?" He turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. "I need your help." Rory crossed her arms, leaning against the door. "You always need something, don't you?" Lucien's lips twitched into a faint smile. "And you always have a way of making it sound like a crime." "Maybe because it usually is," she shot back, unable to keep the edge out of her voice. The memories of their last encounter flooded back, the arguments, the accusations, the hurt. She had walked away, vowing never to get entangled with him again. Yet here he was, standing in front of her, as if the past months had never happened. He took a step closer, his gaze never wavering. "This is different, Rory. It's important." "Important to you, maybe," she said, her voice softening despite herself. "Why should I care?" "Because it's about Evan," he said, his tone serious. Rory's heart skipped a beat at the mention of her ex. "What about him?" Lucien's expression darkened. "He's back in London. And he's looking for you." She felt a chill run down her spine. "How do you know?" "I have my sources," he said, his voice low. "He's been asking around, trying to find out where you are. I thought you should know." Rory swallowed hard, the fear and anger bubbling up inside her. "Why are you telling me this? What's in it for you?" Lucien's eyes softened, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of something genuine. "I don't want to see you get hurt, Rory. Not again." She looked away, the weight of his words pressing down on her. "I can take care of myself." "I know you can," he said, stepping closer. "But you don't have to do it alone." Rory's eyes met his, the intensity of his gaze making her heart race. She wanted to believe him, to trust him, but the scars of their past were still fresh. "Why should I trust you, Lucien? After everything?" He reached out, his hand gently brushing against her cheek. "Because I care about you, Rory. More than you know." She closed her eyes, the warmth of his touch stirring emotions she had tried to bury. "You have a funny way of showing it." "I know," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "But I'm here now. And I want to make things right." Rory opened her eyes, searching his face for any sign of deception. All she saw was sincerity and a hint of vulnerability. She took a deep breath, the walls she had built around her heart beginning to crumble. "What do you need me to do?" Lucien's eyes lit up with relief. "I need you to come with me. There's a safe place where we can figure out our next move." She hesitated, the thought of leaving the relative safety of Eva's flat daunting. But the thought of facing Evan alone was even more terrifying. "Alright," she said, her voice steady. "But this doesn't mean I forgive you." "I understand," he said, his tone earnest. "One step at a time." Rory nodded, grabbing her coat from the hook by the door. "Let's go." As they stepped out into the cool night air, Lucien's hand found hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She glanced at him, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope. They walked in silence, the streets of East London bustling with life around them. Rory's mind raced with thoughts of Evan, of the danger he posed, and of the man beside her. She had always been drawn to Lucien, despite the complications and the secrets. There was something about him that made her feel alive, even when everything else seemed to be falling apart. As they turned a corner, Lucien stopped, his eyes scanning the area. "This way," he said, leading her down a narrow alley. Rory followed, her grip on his hand tightening. "Where are we going?" "To a place where we can talk without being overheard," he said, his voice low. "It's not far." They reached a small, unmarked door at the end of the alley. Lucien knocked three times, and a moment later, it creaked open. A burly man with a scar across his face peered out, his eyes narrowing as he saw Lucien. "Lucien," the man grunted. "Who's the girl?" "She's with me, Silas," Lucien said, his tone firm. "We need a place to talk." Silas eyed Rory for a moment before stepping aside. "Alright. But keep it quiet." They entered the dimly lit bar, the air thick with the scent of smoke and alcohol. Rory glanced around, taking in the worn leather booths and the low hum of conversation. Lucien led her to a secluded corner, away from prying eyes. "Sit," he said, gesturing to a booth. Rory slid into the seat, her nerves on edge. "What now?" Lucien sat across from her, his expression serious. "Now we figure out how to deal with Evan. Together." She nodded, the weight of the situation settling over her. "Alright. But no more secrets, Lucien. If we're going to do this, I need to know everything." He reached across the table, his hand covering hers. "You have my word, Rory. No more secrets." For the first time in months, she felt a sense of clarity. The road ahead would be difficult, but with Lucien by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came their way.