Celine’s slender figure clung to Lucas as they returned from the corner store, each carrying bags of household supplies. With their laughter and ease, they looked every bit like a couple settling into a shared life. The sight was a bitter reminder of how quickly Lucas had shifted his focus—away from me.
Before I could linger on the thought, Aunt Mina came down to greet me. Her expression hardened at the sight of Lucas and Celine. She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off.
“Mom sent over some gifts for you,” I said briskly, gesturing to the delivery truck. “Make sure to check everything—it’s all perishable.”
I didn’t spare Lucas a glance, but this time, he took the initiative to speak.
“Anastasia, don’t misunderstand.” His tone was calm, measured—the voice of a man used to talking his way out of trouble. “Celine’s last apartment was in a dangerous area. I found her a safer place. I didn’t know your aunt lived here. By the way, why’d you buy so much stuff?”
Directing the delivery driver, I answered without looking at him. “It’s not mine. My mom sent it. We’re leaving soon, so she wanted to make sure Aunt Mina has plenty.”
Lucas’s shoulders relaxed, relieved that I wasn’t challenging him.
“No problem,” he said lightly. “The North Suburbs aren’t far. Let me know when you’re back, and I’ll help you settle in.”
He still didn’t know I was leaving permanently. And I had no plans to tell him.
The silence that followed was heavy. Aunt Mina glanced at Lucas and Celine, her frown deepening as she watched Lucas carefully adjust the straps of Celine’s bag. Finally, Celine sighed dramatically, breaking the tension.
“I’m exhausted,” she said with a pout.
Lucas immediately turned to the driver. “Hold off on the rest for now. We’ll use the elevator first.”
I stepped aside to let them go, my expression unreadable. Lucas hesitated for a moment before guiding Celine into the elevator. As the doors slid shut, I caught a glimpse of her satisfied smirk.
The scene brought back memories I’d buried. Years ago, when my aunt moved out, Lucas had been just as attentive to me—helping me pack, arranging my belongings, and even carrying me across the threshold of his home with a playful grin. “Welcome home, future lady of the house,” he’d teased back then.
Aunt Mina sighed beside me, pulling me from the memory. “Ana, are you sure you don’t want me to talk to him? You’ve been through so much together. Maybe he’s just confused.”
“No,” I replied firmly. “There’s no confusion here. If he wanted me to understand, he would’ve explained by now.”
Even as I said my goodbyes and left the packages with my aunt, Lucas and Celine hadn’t returned. Out of courtesy, I sent Lucas a quick text asking when he’d be back.
His reply came almost instantly, but instead of a text, it was a voice message. I tapped it open.
“Anastasia, Lucas is fixing some wiring in my apartment,” Celine’s syrupy voice filled the air. “This place is brand new, but there’s so much to do. Don’t wait for him—go home! I’d feel terrible if we kept you waiting.”
Another message followed before I could respond.
“By the way, Ana, I hope you don’t misunderstand. Lucas is just helping me because I’m new to the city. It’s so hard being alone here, you know?”
Her tone was all sugar, but the words dripped with something sharper.
Closing the chat, I hailed a cab. My fingers hovered over my phone, torn between replying and letting it go. I chose the latter.
As the cab rolled through the quiet streets, my phone rang. Lucas’s name flashed on the screen. Against my better judgment, I answered.
“Why were you so cold to Celine?” he began, his voice tense. “She’s my subordinate, Ana. I’m just helping her. Is that a crime now?”
“Since when did you become her savior?” I shot back, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “You’ve been pulling stunts like this for weeks. You didn’t even check on me after the hospital, but you’re bending over backward for her.”
“That’s not fair!” he snapped. “At her birthday party, you were so standoffish. Now you’re making things harder. You’re reading too much into this.”
Through the phone, I could hear Celine’s soft sobs. Her manipulative sweetness grated on my nerves.
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stay calm. “Fine,” I said finally. “Maybe I am overthinking. Don’t worry—I won’t bother either of you again.”
I hung up before he could respond, staring out at the city lights as they blurred past.
