Olivia

"So, what is it, Mother? And… well, Rose?" Lucian asked softly, letting out a small sigh.

He shifted uncomfortably on the couch, his posture stiff. With both women seated on either side of him, their eyes intently focused on his face, the moment felt uncomfortably intimate. The silence that followed only made it worse, the weight of their expectant gazes pressing on him like a stone.

Olivia was the first to break the silence. "Actually, there's a lot to talk about," she said, her voice calm but measured. "But first… tell me, how was your day?"

Lucian hesitated, his gaze flickering toward her briefly before looking away. He ran a hand through his hair, stalling. "It was… okay, I guess," he replied, his tone flat and unconvincing.

The truth was far from "okay." Today had been a whirlwind, full of chaos and decisions he wasn't ready to process, let alone share. Something in his gut told him it wasn't a good idea to tell these two the truth not now, at least.