Run: 2026-02-19-01KHT0021GM9Y4903MPWMF77Y2

The door to Eva’s flat creaked open, revealing a tall figure with slicked-back platinum blond hair and an impeccably tailored charcoal suit. Lucien Moreau’s heterochromatic eyes, one amber and the other black, scanned the room with a mix of curiosity and caution. The familiar scent of curry wafted up from the restaurant below, mingling with the musty aroma of old books and scrolls scattered across every surface. Rory stood in the middle of the room, her bright blue eyes widening in surprise. She had been expecting Eva, not him. Her fingers involuntarily twisted the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist, a nervous habit she hadn’t realized she still had. “Lucien?” she breathed, her voice tinged with a mix of shock and something else she couldn’t quite name. Lucien’s lips curled into a thin smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Rory,” he said, his voice smooth and measured. “It’s been a while.” Rory’s throat felt dry, and she swallowed hard. “What are you doing here?” “I needed to talk to you,” Lucien replied, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. He closed the door behind him with a gentle click. “It’s important.” Rory crossed her arms, her stance defensive. “Can’t it wait? I’m kind of busy.” Lucien’s gaze flickered around the room, landing on the tabby cat, Ptolemy, who was sprawled across a pile of books. “Doesn’t look like you’re in the middle of anything crucial.” Rory sighed, the tension in her shoulders loosening slightly. “Fine. What is it?” Lucien approached her, his movements deliberate and controlled. He stopped a few feet away, close enough to be intimidating but not quite touching. “I’ve been looking for you, Rory. We have some unfinished business.” Rory’s eyes narrowed. “Unfinished business? What do you mean?” Lucien’s expression darkened, and he ran a hand through his hair, a rare show of vulnerability. “You left without a word. I had to find out what happened from Silas. Do you know how worried I was?” Rory’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “I didn’t leave to make you worry. I left because I needed to get away from everything.” “From me?” Rory hesitated, her eyes dropping to the floor. “From everything,” she repeated, her voice softer this time. “From you, from Evan, from the whole mess. I needed to clear my head.” Lucien’s jaw clenched, and he took a step closer. “You could have told me. I would have understood.” Rory’s gaze snapped back up, meeting his eyes. “Understood? You know what my ex did to me, Lucien. And you know what I’ve been through. I didn’t think you’d understand.” Lucien’s face softened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm. “You’re right, I might not fully understand. But I care about you, Rory. More than you think.” Rory’s breath hitched, and she pulled away, stepping back. “We can’t go back to that, Lucien. Not after what happened.” Lucien’s eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and longing. “I know. But I can’t just let you go, Rory. Not again. There’s too much history between us. Too much unsaid.” Rory’s heart raced, and she felt the familiar tug of attraction, but she pushed it down. “What do you want from me, Lucien?” Lucien took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing. “I want to help you. I want to be there for you, like I always have been. But I also want us to be more than just allies. I want us to be something real.” Rory’s eyes widened, and she took a step back, her back hitting the edge of a bookshelf. “I don’t know if I can handle that. I’m not sure I’m ready.” Lucien’s expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. “You don’t have to be ready right now. But I’m here, Rory. I’m not going anywhere.” Rory’s breath caught in her throat as she felt the warmth of his touch. Part of her wanted to lean into it, to let him in again. But another part of her was still guarded, still haunted by the past. “Lucien, I—” Before she could finish, Ptolemy leapt onto the bookshelf, knocking over a stack of papers and breaking the moment. Rory and Lucien both jumped, their hearts pounding as the cat meowed indignantly and scrambled away. Rory laughed, the tension easing slightly. “Well, I guess that’s one way to break the ice.” Lucien’s lips curved into a genuine smile, and he chuckled. “Seems like Ptolemy has a sense of timing.” Rory’s smile faltered as she looked back at him. “So, what now?” Lucien’s expression turned serious again. “Now, we talk. We work through this. Whatever it takes.” Rory nodded, her resolve strengthening. “Okay. Let’s talk.” Lucien’s eyes softened, and he held out his hand. “Together?” Rory hesitated for a moment, then took his hand, feeling a spark of hope. “Together.”