The road was empty when Lucien drove back to his villa. His mind kept on replaying everything Ronan had told him. The events of the past 24 hours still felt like a dream.

He drove into the garage and stayed seated in the driver’s seat for a good five minutes before he dragged his exhausted body from the car and walked inside the house. His mind was heavy, and each step felt like a weight

Lucien eventually made his way to the master’s bedroom. The door was pushed slowly; he was nervous not to wake the figure lying on the bed.

He stepped inside the room and closed it with the same deliberate care. The door shut with a silent click. Lucien’s back fell on the door and a heavy sigh slipped out of his lips. His long fingers rake through his dishevelled hair as he pushes himself.

He walked towards the bed and slowly sat by the side, his gaze locked on the sleeping figure. A weight was lifted off his chest seeing her sleep peacefully. His hand subconsciously reached to brush the hair stuck in her mouth but froze halfway remembering his body carried dirty from outside.

Lucien smiled genuinely. A bright smile that reached his eyes. He was glad she was sleeping. He was scared that everything that happened today would be weighing her down luckily it didn’t

With that thought in mind, he pushed himself off the bed and walked towards the bathroom shortly after the sound of water rushing came from the bathroom.

The warm water cascaded over him washing off everything. His muscles relaxed, and he just glanced up and let it wash him.

It was funny he had everything now. The woman he loved the company everyone said could never be his yet his heart couldn’t rest. His fist balled and came hard on the shower wall. He felt the pain shoot through him.

His fist came hard again against the wall, his knuckles turned red, bruised from the hit. Damn it. He felt like laughing. Why did Raphael have to die? The thought burned him

He told himself he was scared Lynn had a soft spot and might never let Raph go but it was an excuse the one who couldn’t let go was him. As complicated as everything was he remembered the boy who saw him first, the perfect boy he always wanted to beat

The one he never admitted to looking up to because of the envy his heart held. He stopped and just stood under the shower memories flashed in his mind of how they slowly turned from friends to Rivals 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Maybe if they weren’t born deliberately put against each other and constantly compared things might have been different. But there is no what-if in life.

Lucien glanced up at the water and closed his eyes. He wasn’t the only victim of the Volkov family, who knew the perfect heir must have had his hidden pain too. "I wish if there is a next life Raphael you would have a well-deserved second chance. I forgive you and hope you forgive yourself."

He meant those words. The shower was turned off and he walked out. He reached for the towel rack and pulled one to tie around his waist.

The door of the bathroom was pushed open with steam following after him. Lucien walked to the wardrobe and put on a pair of boxers before slipping under the covers with his hair damp.

As soon as the bed dipped Braelyn felt the warmth beside her. She rolled over and snuggled into his warmth. Lucien’s hands wrapped around her. Through the light fluttering from the window, he saw the tears in her eyes

For a moment he froze before leaning down to press a kiss on her forehead. "It’s over. I will protect you with all I have but if I ever hurt you, Lynn. Don’t let me, you don’t deserve any pain," He whispered, genuinely scared that they might end up like her marriage with Raphael because there was no question how much Raphael loved her.

Having her in his arms like this left him feeling like having the world in his hands and he didn’t want to imagine ever losing her. His eyes closed and he was about to drift into sleep when he heard a soft voice. "Before you get the chance to hurt me I would end you first. " Lynn said and his eyes shot open.

Her emerald eyes were staring back at him with a tender look. Braelyn placed her hand on his bare chest, under those defined chest muscles she could feel his heart beating steadily.

"I know you are scared Lucien, and so am I but I believe as long as we are true to ourselves we won’t accidentally go down that path." She said then glanced into his hazel eyes searching for answers

"Promise Lucien you would never fight any battle alone or hide the truth from me no matter how painful it is. I want to fight beside you and not hide behind you." She requested. A beat of silent past and he covered her hand with his

"I will, no matter how ugly it is, because it is already too late. I have nothing left to hide," he swore. A soft smile touched her lips but she was pleased that she closed her eyes and leaned towards his chest to listen to his steady beat

That presence made the images of Raphael’s bleeding body leave her mind. She was going to love Lucien with her all not just for herself but for Raphael. Her heart finally let go of the resentment she held onto.

*******

Natalia’s and Amelia’s trials were delayed until Natalia fully recovered from the ICU. Her suicide attempt didn’t kill her, but it left her permanently blind from the hit her head received

Maybe it was for the best that she wouldn’t have to see the look of resentment everyone gives her.

When the trial started it made headlines as the biggest scandal of the century. They were sued for every crime they committed, but enough to condemn them for life from the death of Nadia to the assault on Raphael down to Richard’s death.

Natalia and Amelia were the object of public ridicule no one could imagine a mother could do such a thing to her son.

With Ronan’s influence as the Volkov family head and other powerhouses pushing the case. Natalia’s and Amelia’s case was concluded 3 months after Raphael’s death faster than most litigation

A day before the final hearing, Natalia was sitting in a sterile room. Her head bowed, the door was pushed open, and she heard someone come in. The footsteps drew closely then sat across her..

She couldn’t see who. A beat of silence passed before a tired female voice spoke. "Mother..." Just that simple word made her heart ache.