Braelyn’s POV
The lift doors slid open with a soft ding. My entire body was drained from the entire day’s ordeal. God, I just wanted to fall into bed and sleep, not even bothering to have dinner.
"I am drained. " I muttered. Genny sighed.
"I am feeling like eating pizza tonight. Ain’t no way I am cooking?" She dramatically said and I chuckled. She shot a glare and hushed
"Don’t wake her.." she warned. I glanced over to Alora, whose head was resting on her mother’s shoulder. Her little arms were loosely wrapped around Genny’s neck, her breathing slow and even as she slept peacefully like an angel when she was more of a warrior.
a small smile plastered across my face.
The hallway was quiet, dimly lit with warm lights that reflected off the polished floor. Genny shifted Alora’s weight on her back as we stepped out, both of us moving carefully, unwilling to wake her.
We were halfway down the corridor when I noticed him.
A tall figure leaned casually against the wall beside Genny’s door, hands tucked into the pockets of a dark hoodie. His head was lowered slightly, shoulders relaxed, like soone waiting but not entirely patient about it.
My first thought ca instinctively. Lucien, it strikes as Lucien sensing the rebellion aura around the man.
The build. The posture. Even the quiet confidence in the way he stood, it was all too familiar definitely soone I knew
My steps slowed. Sothing felt... off. I could sense it but couldn’t point my finger at what exactly
I took a cautious step forward, my eyes narrowing as I studied him. The hood shadowed his face, hiding his features, but the resemblance unsettled .
"Lucien?" I called out hesitantly.
The man stiffened. His body went completely still, as though I had pulled him out of deep thought. Slowly, he lifted his head.
I took another step closer, my unease growing. "Why are you waiting here? You should have called."
He let out a low sigh and then he spoke.
"I doubt you would have picked up, Lynn."
My heart dropped. That voice. There was no way I could have mistaken that voice.
My breath caught painfully in my throat as recognition struck at once. He turned fully toward us then, pushing the hood back just enough for the light to hit his face.
That familiar face and wicked smile. My heart raced for the wrong reason. Fear, anxiety. I subconsciously took a step back. I wasn’t ready to face him
"Hi, Lynn," he chid. His voice carried a dangerous edge that reminded of rebellious Raphael. The one who effortlessly made my heart race in the past because of excitent, now it raced because of dread. Why did I forget how similar these two were?
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.
"Raphael..." I blurted, the na slipping out before I could stop it.
My chest tightened with nerves I didn’t want to acknowledge.
"What are you doing here?" I asked imdiately, my voice sharper than I intended.
Raphael straightened slightly, his expression unreadable for a brief mont before sothing softer crossed his features. "I wanted to see you."
The words landed heavier than they should have. Before I could respond, Genny shifted Alora higher on her back and let out a scoff.
"Oh, absolutely not," she said, instantly slipping into full best-friend mode. "You are not welco here." She pointed a finger at his nose
"You’d better leave before I call security on you." Genny was heaving. The commotion startled Alora awake. Her eyes blinked innocently staring at Raphael
Raphael’s gaze flicked to Genny, then to the sleepy child on her back staring back at him. His jaw tightened briefly before he looked back at .
"I just want to talk," he said calmly.
Genny snorted. "Funny how n always want to talk after they show up uninvited."
I swallowed, my fingers curling slightly at my sides. The corridor suddenly felt too small. Raphael hissed. "Genny, please stay out of this," he pleaded before his gaze flickered back to .
Genny felt insulted. "Excuse ..." she blurted, then grabbed my hand. "Brae, let’s leave..." she urged .
Raphael imdiately grabbed my hand. "Please Lynn.."
"Let go of her. You have no right to touch her after what you did..." Genny was taking his ass shit. She grabbed his wrist trying to yank his hold off.
I just stood observing. Sothing was off, it made my stomach churn. I yanked my hand from them. "That’s enough.." I snapped, then glanced at Raphael.
"I told you not to bother unless you are ready to tell the truth. " I snapped. Genny squatted down to place Alora on the floor as she got into full battle mode
"Trust a man like him has nothing good to say. Don’t fall for his lies.." she snapped. Alora was exhausted and walked over to the door and sat there before falling back to sleep..
"Genenieve please let speak," Raphael begged. She scoffed
"So now you want to speak but what about all the tis you didn’t listen to her. " Silence fell between us. My chest squeezed, I wanted to get out of her....
"Genny, let’s hear him out." I said, and she gave a look of pure betrayal. Raphael sighed, his gaze t mine.
"I am ready to talk. I have been thinking, and I am tired of holding it in."
"Hold what in?" I blurted.
"Truth...my twisted reasons. Just hear out, and then you can decide to believe it or not."
My brain went blank. He wanted to tell the truth now. Raphael stepped closer, his cedar cologne wrapped around . "If you are ready to listen. Let’s go sowhere quiet."
He carefully said, waiting patiently for my reply. Genny was quiet because she knew I needed to listen to his twisted reasons.
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