“I know Dominic,” I say quickly. “He would never hurt me.”
Lucien scoffs softly.
“He’s already hurt you.” His eyes burn into mine. “He’s fucked up so many times, Sera. I’m not letting him near you.”
Something about his words catches in the back of my mind.
He’s fucked up so many times.
I never told Lucien Dominic cheated before. Is it really that obvious? I shake the thought away.
Lucien steps closer.
“There’s no way in hell I’m letting you go alone,” he says firmly. “And I’m not asking.” He cups my face in his hands and presses a soft kiss against my lips.
I exhale slowly.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“Okay.”
Lucien and I get dressed in silence. The room still carries the warmth of what just happened between us, but neither of us speaks about it. There are no teasing words, no lingering smiles, just the quiet understanding that the world outside this house is still waiting for us.
We walk downstairs together and step back into the night. The ocean wind feels colder now. We climb into the car, and Lucien starts the engine. The headlights cut through the darkness as we pull away from the house and onto the winding road that leads back toward the city.
Neither of us says anything. Instead, he reaches over and takes my hand. His fingers lace through mine naturally, like it’s the most normal thing in the world. I grip his hand tighter than I mean to. Like I’m trying to hold on to something. Because somewhere deep inside me, it feels like a piece of my life is slowly slipping away. The road hums quietly beneath the tires.
We’re about ten minutes into the drive when my phone suddenly rings. The sound startles me. I glance down at the screen.
Nadia.
I took her number earlier at the office after we talked about Sophie. I told her I’d call if I heard anything. My stomach twists. She’s probably calling to ask if I found something, If I know anything.
I answer quickly.
“Nadia?”
All I hear at first is crying. Not quiet crying, panicked, frantic.
“They found her, Era,” Nadia gasps through the phone. “They found her car.”
My heart drops.
“What?” I whisper.
“She— she was in it,” Nadia says, her voice breaking as the words stumble over each other. “It was in a ditch. The police just called me. I—I don’t even know what happened.”
She’s crying so hard I can barely understand her.
“I’m sorry,” she says quickly between sobs. “I’m sorry I called you. I know you’ll understand. I just— I don’t have anyone else right now and I’m scared.”
Her voice cracks again.
“My son is asleep and I can’t think and I’m just— I don’t know what to do.”
I feel a tightness settle inside me.
“Nadia,” I say softly. “I’ve got you.” I glance out at the dark road ahead, my voice steady even though my heart is racing. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”