Run: 2026-02-20-01KHXPKMGRW4BQ6FFTHS66W49H

The door creaked open, revealing Aurora Carter, her bright blue eyes widening in surprise. "Lucien? What are you doing here?" Lucien Moreau stood in the doorway, his heterochromatic eyes scanning her face, taking in the sight of her. He was dressed in one of his tailored charcoal suits, the ivory-handled cane in his hand. "Aurora," he greeted, his voice smooth as silk. "May I come in?" Rory hesitated, her fingers tightening around the door handle. The last time they'd seen each other, things had been left unsaid, feelings unexpressed. But the look in his eyes was one she couldn't ignore. She stepped aside, allowing him to enter. The flat was small, cluttered with books and scrolls, every surface covered in notes and research. Lucien's gaze swept over the room, taking in the details. "You've been busy," he commented, spotting the familiar symbols and diagrams scattered across the coffee table. Rory closed the door behind him, her heart pounding in her chest. "What do you want, Lucien?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. He turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "I needed to see you," he admitted, his voice low. "There are things we need to discuss." Rory crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing. "Like what?" Lucien took a step closer, his cane tapping softly against the wooden floor. "Like why you left without a word," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Like why you've been avoiding me." Rory looked away, her eyes landing on a framed photograph on the bookshelf. It was a picture of her and Eva, taken years ago. She could feel Lucien's gaze on her, the intensity of it making her skin prickle. "I had my reasons," she said, her voice barely audible. Lucien reached out, his fingers brushing against her scarred wrist. "I know," he said softly. "But I need to hear them from you." Rory pulled her hand away, her eyes flashing. "Why, Lucien? Why does it matter now?" Lucien's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with something she couldn't quite decipher. "Because I care about you, Aurora," he said, his voice fierce. "Because I've missed you." Rory's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to believe him, to believe that he cared. But the hurt and the betrayal were still fresh, still raw. "Prove it," she challenged, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. Lucien's eyes searched hers, his expression softening. "I will," he promised. "I'll prove it to you, Aurora. Just give me a chance." Rory looked away, her eyes landing on the tabby cat curled up on the armchair. Ptolemy blinked up at her, his eyes half-lidded. She took a deep breath, her fingers brushing against the cat's soft fur. "Stay for dinner," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We can talk." Lucien's eyes lit up, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'd like that," he said, his voice warm. Rory nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't believe she was doing this, inviting him in, giving him a chance. But she knew she had to, for her own sake as much as his. As she moved to the kitchen, she could feel Lucien's gaze on her, the weight of it making her skin prickle. She took a deep breath, her fingers trembling as she reached for a pot. "Tell me about your day," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. Lucien leaned against the counter, his eyes never leaving her. "It was eventful," he said, his voice smooth. "I had to deal with a particularly stubborn client." Rory raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a small smile. "And how did that go?" Lucien chuckled, the sound warm and rich. "Let's just say, I'm not in the mood for any more surprises today." Rory laughed, the sound echoing through the small flat. She could feel the tension easing, the ice between them melting away. As she cooked, Lucien told her about his day, his voice low and soothing. She listened, her heart pounding in her chest, her fingers trembling as she stirred the pot. When the food was ready, they sat down at the small table, the scent of curry filling the air. Rory took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Lucien's. "Thank you," she said softly. "For coming here. For giving me a chance." Lucien reached out, his fingers brushing against hers. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "For letting me in. For giving me a chance." Rory smiled, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this was just the beginning, that there were still hurdles to overcome. But for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful, like maybe, just maybe, they could make this work. As they ate, they talked, their voices low and soft. The conversation flowed easily, the tension between them easing with each passing moment. Rory could feel the connection between them, the spark that had always been there, igniting once again. When they finished eating, Lucien helped her clean up, his fingers brushing against hers as they washed the dishes. Rory could feel the heat of his touch, the electricity that passed between them. As they stood in the small kitchen, the scent of soap and water filling the air, Lucien turned to her, his eyes searching hers. "Aurora," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need to tell you something." Rory's heart pounded in her chest, her eyes meeting his. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely audible. Lucien reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "I've never stopped caring about you," he said, his voice fierce. "I've never stopped loving you." Rory's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to believe him, to believe that he loved her. But the hurt and the betrayal were still fresh, still raw. "Prove it," she challenged, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. Lucien's eyes searched hers, his expression softening. "I will," he promised. "I'll prove it to you, Aurora. Just give me a chance." Rory nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this was just the beginning, that there were still hurdles to overcome. But for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful, like maybe, just maybe, they could make this work. As they stood in the kitchen, the scent of soap and water filling the air, Rory reached out, her fingers brushing against Lucien's. She could feel the heat of his touch, the electricity that passed between them. "I'll give you that chance," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you have to be patient. You have to understand that I need time." Lucien nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I understand," he said, his voice steady. "I'll wait for you, Aurora. As long as it takes." Rory smiled, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this was just the beginning, that there were still hurdles to overcome. But for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful, like maybe, just maybe, they could make this work. As they stood in the kitchen, the scent of soap and water filling the air, Rory reached out, her fingers brushing against Lucien's. She could feel the heat of his touch, the electricity that passed between them. "I'll give you that chance," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you have to be patient. You have to understand that I need time." Lucien nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I understand," he said, his voice steady. "I'll wait for you, Aurora. As long as it takes." Rory smiled, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this was just the beginning, that there were still hurdles to overcome. But for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful, like maybe, just maybe, they could make this work. As they stood in the kitchen, the scent of soap and water filling the air, Rory reached out, her fingers brushing against Lucien's. She could feel the heat of his touch, the electricity that passed between them. "I'll give you that chance," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you have to be patient. You have to understand that I need time." Lucien nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I understand," he said, his voice steady. "I'll wait for you, Aurora. As long as it takes." Rory smiled, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this was just the beginning, that there were still hurdles to overcome. But for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful, like maybe, just maybe, they could make this work. As they stood in the kitchen, the scent of soap and water filling the air, Rory reached out, her fingers brushing against Lucien's. She could feel the heat of his touch, the electricity that passed between them. "I'll give you that chance," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you have to be patient. You have to understand that I need time." Lucien nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I understand," he said, his voice steady. "I'll wait for you, Aurora. As long as it takes." Rory smiled, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this was just the beginning, that there were still hurdles to overcome. But for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful, like maybe, just maybe, they could make this work.