At night after dinner,
Layla decided to talk to Lucius, feeling he might have cald down a bit. He ca out of the washroom, and moved to the bed.
"Your mother is worried. Don’t you think you should calm her down? I know you are upset because she never thought of you or about this family, but her family in London are all innocent too," Layla said, hoping he would allow her to contact Luca.
"Let them die," Lucius said and pulled up the duvet. "Let’s sleep. My head is throbbing with pain," he asserted.
"I’ll give you dicine." Layla swung her legs down from the bed when she felt his hands circling her waist.
"I don’t want to take it. Just lay down."
Layla hesitated for a mont, but then, sensing the exhaustion in his voice, she complied. The room darkened instantly as Lucius clapped twice, extinguishing the lights.
As he snuggled her close, burying his face into the crook of her neck, Layla whispered, "You aren’t like this. Don’t change yourself, Lucius." She gently told him but her tone sounded like she was pleading him. "You don’t let innocents get hard. Your mother... she did wrong, but her family shouldn’t have to pay that price."
"Are you done?" Lucius whispered in her ear. "Her current husband is in the governnt. Vladimir cannot touch him. He doesn’t even know where my mother’s family lives. He’s panicked—that’s why he openly threatened her."
His arms tightened slightly around Layla. "And Layla... don’t preach about her." His tone darkened. "She tried to manipulate you. She never considered her son, so why should I care? My happiness, my sadness... none of it has ever mattered to her. Even today, she easily decided to send you to Vladimir."
"Hmm." Layla didn’t speak further. "What do you feel about all of this?" she asked after so ti.
"How am I supposed to live with the truth?" He murmured. "This isn’t what I expected. While protecting they died."
"I thought you would find peace after finding the truth," Layla said and shifted to face him. The small bedside lamp had illuminated their faces. "I know the truth is sothing which changed everything for you within seconds. However, you must know how special you were for Antoine and Matteo. They both fought for you because they knew you deserved better."
"How I deserved better, Layla? "I never wanted anyone to die because of . Don’t you think... if my mother had just left with Vladimir, they would still be alive? Roderick and Fiona would have been happy. Sylvia wouldn’t have suffered." His breathing grew uneven as he clenched his jaw. "What hurts more is that I never truly knew Antoine and Matteo. And yet... they sacrificed everything to save . The truth should have brought peace, but all I feel is loss."
Layla placed her hand on his cheek. "You got ," she whispered. "The first ti we t was right after Matteo’s funeral," she reminded him softly. "Do you think we would have ever t if you weren’t here? You may have lost people, but you weren’t left with nothing." She offered him a small, sad smile. "You are the best thing that ever happened to , Lucius. Don’t ever forget that."
"I know you’ve lost so much," she murmured against his skin, "but you’ve gained a lot too. That’s what life is, Lucius. Pain and love. Loss and gain."
Lucius felt sothing shift inside him. A part of him buried under grief, anger, and guilt yearned to believe her words.
Because she was right.
In a world where betrayal had been his only constant, Layla was his one truth. She had never deceived him, never tried to shield him from pain with lies. When everyone else he had trusted chose to keep secrets, to manipulate him under the guise of protection, only Layla stood by his side without hesitation and asked him to chase the truth even when dangers were there.
"You’re too good for , Layla," he admitted, his eyes turning misty.
Layla smiled, tilting her head. "Too late for that, Lucius. You’re forever stuck with ."
Lucius chuckled at her words, a rare sound that softened the sharp edges of his usual deanor. His eyes lingered on her lips for a mont before he leaned in, capturing them in a kiss. Layla smiled against his lips, responding with equal warmth, when suddenly, he lifted her effortlessly above him.
A soft laugh escaped her as she pulled away just slightly, pressing a finger against his lips. "Do you feel better?" she asked, her gaze searching his eyes. "Say it with your heart."
Lucius exhaled, lowering her finger gently before murmuring, "Much better."
Before she could say anything more, he flipped her onto the mattress, his strong fra hovering above her. His piercing eyes held an intensity that sent warmth coursing through her body.
"You truly are a magical woman," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I suddenly feel lighter, as if all my doubts have vanished into thin air." His fingers traced slow circles on her wrist and he continued, "They did what they thought was right... Now, I will do what I feel is right."
He lowered his head slightly, his lips just a breath away from hers. "Thank you, Layla, for always showing the right path," he murmured, his words carrying a weight only she could understand.
Layla smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Always."
Lucius peppered soft kisses on her neck which made her laugh. He returned his mouth to her jae and then stopped right on her lips. She cupped his cheeks, her thumbs tracing circles on them.
"How much more are you going to admire ?" Layla asked.
"I don’t know. Maybe the entire night," Lucius replied.
She laughed and pushed him away gently. "Let’s sleep. You were having a headache."
Lucius lay beside her and she snuggled close to him. The two of them shut their eyes and soon they both drifted off to a deep slumber.
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