Lucien’s POV

We broke apart, our foreheads resting against each other, our breaths blending in the cold air. I did not want to move. I wanted to stay there, to hold on to that moment just a little longer.

"I love you, Lynn," I said quietly.

"I know," she replied, smiling. "I love you more." I knew she meant it and that’s all that mattered. Lynn stepped back a mischievous smile curled on her lips "I have another surprise for you," she said.

I frowned slightly, amused by the spark in her eyes. "You already said yes. What else could top that?" I blurted out.

She did not answer immediately. Instead, she stepped back and guided my hand, placing it gently against her stomach. My brows furrowed for a second before her words reached me.

"You’re going to be a father," she muttered. For a moment, everything stopped. The waves, the wind, even my own breathing faded into nothing. I stared at her, trying to process what she had just said.

"You are..." My voice broke despite myself. "No way." I couldn’t believe it. It felt too good to be true

She nodded, tears gathering in her eyes but she was smiling like it was the easiest truth in the world. "I found out this morning. Two lines. I wanted to tell you tonight after the wedding but now feels perfect."

A breath left me, somewhere between a laugh and disbelief. I laughed and cried at the same time. Could something this good happen to me? It felt too much.

It did not feel real, but at the same time, it felt like something that had always been meant to happen. I pulled her into my arms without thinking, holding her tightly before lifting her off the ground and spinning her around.

Our laughter carried into the night, swallowed by the sound of the waves. "Be careful," she said quickly, gripping my shoulders. "The baby."

I froze and set her down at once, my hands hovering awkwardly around her like I did not know where I was allowed to touch. "I’m sorry. Are you okay?" I blurted.

She looked at me like I had just asked something ridiculous. "I’m fine, Lucien." She shook her head hopelessly.

I swallowed and let my hand move back to her stomach, slower this time, careful, as if I was afraid this would all disappear if I rushed it. "I’m going to be a father," I said under my breath.

"Yes," she replied, placing her hand over mine. "You are and this time there is no Amelia or Natalia." Her voice was gentle.

I looked at her properly something steady settled in me..The sound of the waves pulled something loose in my mind, and before I could stop it, memories surfaced.

I remembered Raphael’s sixth birthday, the day everything started. He had wished for us to attend the same school, and somehow, it happened. We started together like any normal children. He introduced me to his friends without hesitation, as I belonged there. For a while, it felt simple.

As we grew older, things changed. Natalia became stricter with him. His schedule was filled with lessons because he was being prepared to take over the family legacy. I followed along in some of those classes, but it never felt the same, I never took it seriously because deep down I knew Raphael was the successor. He was naturally good at everything, while I did not take anything seriously.

At family dinners and events, the difference became obvious. Every achievement he had was praised, every success celebrated. The table revolved around him. I told myself I did not care. I told myself I wanted him to have that attention, but there were moments when it stung more than I wanted to admit.

I also wanted to be the centre of attention to be given that love. Each praised they gave Raphael, but they indirectly slandered me but I didn’t care. I wanted Raphael to have the spotlight, it mattered more to him.

Raphael always told me to work hard but I was a free spirit.

One evening after dinner, I picked up his game console to return it. He had left it behind. As I walked down the hallway heading outside, I heard Natalia’s voice and stopped without thinking.

"You should stop being friends with that failure," she said. I froze where I stood then hid behind a pillar.

Raphael pulled his hand away from her. "Lucien isn’t a failure. He just doesn’t like studying." he defended me.

Natalia let out a soft laugh. "Lazy or not, it does not matter. Let me remind you of something. Your grandfather favours him. Do not forget he is your rival. If he cannot keep up, leave him behind." she said with a stern expression

There was silence after that. Raphael did not respond, and I did not wait to hear more. My grip tightened around the console before I turned and left. Something inside me shifted that day, something I could not name back then.

After that, I stopped being around him. When he came to find me, I avoided him. It was not because I did not want to see him. It was because I did not know how to.

I started studying. I had no tutor, no structure, and I got distracted easily, but I tried anyway. One day, he walked into my room without warning and stopped when he saw me at my desk.

For weeks I hadn’t gone out with friends and avoided Raphael like the plague. I remembered the look of shock on Raphael’s face when he saw the legendary Lucien studying

"You are studying?" he asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

"What is so shocking about it?" I replied with an annoyed scowl. My lips twitched.

He walked closer and placed his hand on my forehead, checking my temperature like I had fallen sick. Then he walked to the window and pulled the curtains open.

"The sun did not rise in the west today," he said. "And you are not sick either." He said with a serious frown. "Did an alien take over your body?" He asked unable to believe Lucien was studying

I rolled my eyes. "Are you done?" I sneered.

He looked back at me, still suspicious. "Are you doing this under duress?" he wasn’t giving up.

I smirked. "I want the first position," I said like a challenge..

He froze for a second, then smiled in a way I had never seen before. "You want to challenge my position?" he chimed. He looked excited.

"What, you think I cannot do it?" I shot back..

He shook his head. "I want to see you try," Raphael said with a genuine smile..That was how it started.

I ignored the distractions, the comments, the people who laughed at me saying I could never beat Raphael. When the results came out, he was first and I was second. No one cared about me. They only talked about him.

No one cared that I had improved incredibly from the bottom of the grade to second. They only saw the golden boy and only remembered me when they wanted to compare us.

I thought maybe if I got first they would praise me, they would notice. I didn’t want to be invisible. I was tired of the taunts and looks of disdain.

I tried again, I had second place, then again, second place once more. It did not matter how much I improved. His name stayed at the top, and that was all anyone saw. This pattern continued for a while I finally got it, first place.

I still remember how excited I was that night. I thought things would change. I thought they would finally see me. Even if they didn’t love me the same as Raphael, I just wanted them to see me as a person and not a stubborn stain.

At the family dinner, everyone was focused on Raphael once more. He looked upset, and they were comforting him. They had no idea who came in first.

"You did well," Katerina said, reaching for him. "We will get you something nice." I watched quietly because I didn’t want to ruin his moment.

When things quieted down, I spoke. "I came first." I slid my report onto the table.

The table went silent, and for a moment I thought it was a surprise.

Then I saw their expressions. A look of pity flashed in Ronan’s eyes. I didn’t understand until their face turned ugly Katerina spoke out first "Why are you making this about you?" Katerina asked.

I frowned, confused. "But I..."

"No one cares, Lucien," she said. "Why do you always try to take what is not yours?" I stood there, unable to understand what I had done wrong.

Olivia scoffed. "How good can a bastard be?"

Raphael spoke immediately. "Lucien is smart, Grandma. He did it himself." No one listened.

Something in me went cold. I stood up and left the table without saying anything. No one stopped me like they always wanted to get rid of me