“Darling,” a voice purred through the phone, sweet yet dripping with malice. “I heard you fought with that Victor ugh, that ugly guy. Tell me, are you alright? Even though I know you are, I still need to hear it… Are you alright?”
The tone shifted possessive, dark, yet oddly tender. “And don’t worry about anything else. I’ll take care of it. That ugly bastard will regret ever crossing you. Just leave everything to me.”
The voice carried with it a chilling mix of obsession, hate, and care so palpable it made the air in the room grow heavy. Both Olivia and Rose stiffened, shivers running down their spines as the words registered.
Before either could react further, Lucian lunged.
“Don’t,” he snapped sharply, his voice unusually commanding as he snatched the phone from Rose’s hands.
“Lucian!” Rose tried to pull it back, her fingers tightening briefly, but Lucian was faster.
He swiped the call off the screen, cutting the voice off mid-sentence. Silence returned to the room, but its echo lingered like a ghost. Lucian stuffed the phone deep into his pocket, his face tense, his movements quick and almost defensive as if trying to bury not just the phone, but the conversation itself.
Sigh… Lucian groaned inwardly, running a hand through his hair as frustration bubbled beneath his calm facade. Why is she like this? Why does she always drag me into this kind of mess?
He knew staying here any longer would only make things worse. The looks on Rose’s and Olivia’s faces told him everything questions were coming, sharp and relentless. And he wasn’t ready to deal with that.
Without saying another word, Lucian turned abruptly toward the stairs, his steps quick and purposeful.
“Wait, Lucian!”
Both Olivia’s and Rose’s voices rang out in unison, sharp with urgency.
Lucian paused briefly, turning his head just enough to glance back at them. “Oh, Mother,” he said, forcing a small, strained smile onto his lips, “I just remembered I have something important to do. I’ll be in my room now.” His tone was calm, as if nothing had happened at all, though the slight shake in his voice betrayed him.
“Lucian wait” Rose’s voice rose, her brows furrowing as she stepped forward, her eyes scanning his form. “What do you mean? Who was that? And what happened with Victor? You fought with him?”
Her voice cracked slightly on the last question, her concern flaring as her eyes searched for any sign of injury.
“It’s nothing,” Lucian replied hastily, waving her off with one hand. “Just a little… conversation. Nothing serious. Don’t worry about it.”
He turned away again before they could respond, his footsteps quickening as he took the stairs two at a time.
“Lucian, wait!” Rose called after him, her voice sharp with frustration, but this time, Lucian didn’t stop. He didn’t even turn back.
The faint sound of his door closing echoed through the house.
Rose stood still at the foot of the stairs, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. Her face was flushed with frustration, her breathing uneven as her thoughts raced.
“What the hell is going on?” she muttered, her voice low.
Beside her, Olivia remained quiet, her gaze fixed on the empty staircase where Lucian had disappeared. Her expression darkened slightly, a shadow of something sharp and dangerous flickering in her eyes.
Rose turned to her mother, startled to see the sudden shift in her demeanor. “Mother?”
Olivia’s face was calm, but her eyes were cold, her aura shifting into something commanding something far removed from the gentle, emotional mother Lucian had seen just moments ago. This was Olivia Kane, the president and head of the Kane household.
“I’m going to destroy him,” Rose said suddenly, her voice low and brimming with anger. Her eyes flashed, the edges of her expression sharp and unforgiving. “Whatever you say, Mother, or don’t say I don’t care. That Victor bastard… amma destroy him.”
Her words carried a dark resolve, her hands trembling slightly as she clenched them tighter.
Olivia’s gaze shifted to her daughter, and a faint smile cold and dangerous touched her lips. “Why do you think I would stop you?” she said softly, her voice low and even more chilling. “I’ll destroy him myself. It seems Victor didn’t take my last warning seriously. That was a mistake.”
The room fell silent for a beat as Olivia’s words sank in. Her presence radiated authority and a terrifying calm that made even Rose pause for a moment.
“Don’t worry too much, Rose,” Olivia continued, her tone still quiet but commanding. “Leave this to your mother. I’ll handle everything.”
Rose’s jaw tightened. She didn’t respond immediately, her mind spinning with her own plans. “Fine,” she said at last, her voice clipped and distant. “But don’t expect me to sit still.”
She turned slightly, her gaze fixed on the floor as she muttered under her breath. “How dare he… How dare he touch Lucian. I’ll kill him for this.” Her voice cracked with emotion as her fists trembled at her sides.
Olivia glanced at her daughter, letting out a slow breath as she tried to calm herself. “Give Lucian time,” she said softly, though her own voice carried a faint tremor. “He’s overwhelmed right now… with everything that’s happened. Let’s not push him too hard.”
Rose turned her head slightly, glancing at Olivia out of the corner of her eye. “And what about the woman on the phone?” she asked, her voice quieter now but still laced with suspicion.
Olivia’s expression darkened for a moment before she schooled it back into calm authority. “Lucian clearly wasn’t comfortable sharing that,” she said, her voice measured. “But don’t worry I’ll find out everything by morning.”
Rose nodded slightly, though her shoulders were still tense. “I see,” she murmured softly, her thoughts still clouded with concern and frustration.
The two of them stood in silence for a long moment, the only sound in the room the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the distance.
Finally, Olivia turned toward the staircase, her gaze lingering where Lucian had disappeared. Don’t worry, Lucian, she thought to herself. I’ll protect you. No matter what it takes.
And in that silence, the weight of their shared determination filled the room a promise unspoken but deeply understood.
—