Go or Not

Lucian stared at his mother, disbelief slowly creeping across his face. Go with me to Avey's birthday? The words echoed in his mind like a broken record, his body stiffening at the absurdity of it. Is this the same woman who rejected every opportunity I gave her to share moments with me? His heart twisted painfully as he recalled all the times he'd asked her to come to events, to be there for him, only to be met with cold dismissals and empty excuses.

Now, here she was, looking at him with what seemed like genuine interest, asking if she could accompany him to a party. Lucian couldn't make sense of it. Why now? Why does she care now, when I've already decided it doesn't matter anymore?

Olivia's hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together. She could feel the weight of the silence between them, and it was suffocating her. In her last life, she had never gone with Lucian to any event. She had never made time for him, always too engrossed in work or social obligations. Her son had been left to fend for himself, emotionally abandoned, while she stayed distant, buried in her own world.

Now, she had a second chance, and she wanted to make things right. But as she looked at Lucian, she could feel the distance between them like a canyon, vast and cold. She could hardly recognize the young man before her, the same boy who once clung to her for comfort, seeking her approval, desperate for her affection. When did it all go so wrong?

Lucian's silence was unbearable. She could see something flicker in his eyes—something dark, tired, and filled with pain. "This time, I'll go with you, Lucian," Olivia said, her voice trembling with hope, "Can I?"

Lucian stiffened at her words. His eyes darted to her, finally locking onto hers, but what Olivia saw in his gaze wasn't the excitement she had expected. Instead, she was met with an emptiness that made her heart sink. He's not… happy? She thought. She was sure that mentioning Avey's name would lift his spirits. After all, in her last life, Lucian had been hopelessly devoted to that girl. How could he not be eager to go?

But what she saw was the opposite. Lucian's eyes darkened, his expression unreadable. His lips parted as though he wanted to say something, but no words came. He seemed to be fighting a battle within himself, struggling to speak. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he whispered, "No need, mother. You can go alone… I don't want to."

Olivia blinked, stunned. What? She tried to make sense of it, her mind reeling. Did my son just say he doesn't want to go to Avey's birthday? The same Lucian who spent years chasing her, who refused to give up, even after endless rejections? She couldn't believe it. Lucian, her persistent, stubborn boy, was now refusing to go after the one person he had always wanted.

Her voice faltered, disbelief clouding her mind. "Lucian… if it's because of me, if you don't want me to go with you, that's fine. You can go by yourself. I won't disturb you."

Lucian clenched his fists under the table, feeling the weight of her words crush him. Does she think it's her? The thought was almost laughable. For years, all he had wanted was for her to be involved, to care, but now, he felt nothing but weariness. "No, mother… it's not you." His voice wavered, and he dropped his gaze, his hands trembling slightly. "I've just thought a lot about it. I'm done."

"Done?" Olivia's voice trembled with disbelief, her heart pounding. "What do you mean, Lucian? You've always cared for Avey… Did something happen between you two? Tell me, I can help."

Lucian's lips pressed into a thin line as he tried to hold himself together. He took a deep breath, feeling the walls he had built around himself begin to crack. "I just don't want to anymore," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm tired… I'm done."

The words hit Olivia like a physical blow. He's tired? The boy who never gave up, who endured rejection after rejection, who stood unwavering in his devotion, was now saying he was finished? She couldn't comprehend it. "No… Lucian, you can't just give up like that. I know how much you love her. You've always loved her."

A sharp pang of guilt twisted in her heart. She had always reprimanded Lucian for his feelings for Avey, had scolded him for embarrassing the family with his relentless pursuit. But now, as she looked into his tired eyes, she realized that her harshness had only pushed him further into his pain. "How about this?" she said, desperation creeping into her voice. "I'll go and propose marriage between you and Avey. I'll talk to her family, make sure everything works out—"

"No!" Lucian's voice rose sharply, cutting through her words like a knife. He stood abruptly, his hands trembling with anger and frustration. "What are you talking about, mother? I don't want that. I've asked her, and she doesn't want me. I'm not going to force someone to love me."

Olivia's face paled, her hands trembling. Force someone to love him? Is that what he thinks? She wanted to protest, to tell him that she could fix it, that she could make everything right. But the look on Lucian's face silenced her. His eyes were red, and his jaw clenched tightly, as if he was holding back tears.

"Lucian…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please, don't make any rash decisions. I know you love her. I know you've been hurt, but just—just don't take any drastic steps."

Lucian turned away from her, his heart heavy with pain. "It's over, mother. I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Olivia felt her entire world collapsing. How did it come to this? She had always believed that Lucian would find his happiness with Avey, that one day, after all the rejections, Avey would finally realize how much Lucian loved her. But now… now Lucian was walking away from that dream, and she couldn't stop him.

"Lucian," she called out one last time, her voice soft, pleading. "At least… at least tell me if you want me to say anything to her. I'm going to her party… I could say something for you."

Lucian stopped in his tracks, but he didn't turn around. He stood there for a moment, the silence between them stretching on painfully. "There's nothing left to say, just tell her i am sorry to waste her time" he finally said, his voice cold and empty.

And with that, he walked away, leaving Olivia alone in the room, tears streaming down her face. How did it come to this? she thought, her heart breaking as she watched her son walk away, not knowing if she could ever repair the damage she had caused.

----

sighhh guys wasn't able to make chapter long actually just preparing for exam thought just write it out

just two days more guys after that every chapter will be over 1500 words and ill improve it... just am not able to out much time

today one is 1200...well

haha ill might send two or more chapters

sighh i am worried about my other novel its kinda halfway almost 4 days since last update

just unable to get time to write

okk thanks for reading guys