A Love That WS Sacrificed

led heavily on her shoulders as she walked through the halls of her father's mansion, every step echoing in the vast emptiness. The world outside

in her mind, sharp and final: The war will follow you. There will be consequences. She didn't doubt that he was right. She had known the world of power, manip

the war that scared

the betrayal, the lies. But beneath the resentment, beneath the anger and th

lls she had built around her heart. She had never seen him so vulnerable, so... human. But even in that moment, she knew: Lucien was not someo

could feel the weight of his eyes in the rearview mirror. Everyone knew the story of Maxwell Sterling's daughter-the prized pawn, the beautif

ing. No allies, no safety net. Just a world of uncertainty,

low offering no comfort. The familiar streets blurred by

there w

of unanswered questions and unresolved emotions. Was he even still interested in her, or had he moved on, seeing her as just

ughts. She fumbled for it, her fingers trembling sli

nder:

e message, hoping, praying that it wasn't

ed to

the weight of them hit he

her? Was this his way of saying that the war-her w

een, and for a moment, she couldn't bring herself to answer. She stared at the screen, her finger hoverin

button. "Lucien," she said, her voice steady

he couldn't quite place. "I didn't think you'd pick up. I

e intended. "You want to apologize? After everything y

don't expect your forgiveness. I don't even deserve it. But I do need you to

der than she would've liked. "So what? You want me to feel s

nd your father played... it was never supposed to end like this. But I'm in this as deep as you are. You can walk away from the Sterling e

old wave. "What are you saying, Lucien?" she whispered, suddenly feeling

e not alone in this. Not anymore. If you really want freedom, then you're going to have to f

red history and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Calysta knew he was right-she had alwa

to me again?" she finally asked,

"I don't have to lie to you anym

lights still flashing past, each one a r

d that I'm doing this because I trust you. I'm doing this because I need

Lucien said before

rmination. She wasn't sure what she would find when she met Lucien. But sh

maybe, just maybe, she could

ens when they meet, or take the sto