Lucien’s POV

The day the graduating class went out to celebrate, the entire place was packed. The music was blaring, bright lights enveloped everywhere with people practically everywhere.

I was with Joey and Amber, leaning against a table with drinks and snacks scattered across it. Everyone was busy talking about their plans and dreams after getting into the big world. At that moment I really didn’t have much of a dream, just wanted to get away from this hellhole of a family.

I lost in my thoughts thinking if I was making the right decision by choosing medicine when Amber’s voice snapped me out of it.

"I had no idea you had it in you," Amber said, laughing as she nudged my shoulder. "I thought Joey was the only lazy genius here."

Joey rolled his eyes. "I actually worked for mine."

Joey actually got directly accepted into a top engineering program. Even without his final exams.

He had been number 2 for years and was a programming protege. He was scouted during a competition that he and Raphael attended

Both Joey and Raphael were given the invitation but Raphael rejected it which wasn’t a surprise. Raphael rejected a lot of admission offers after all he was among the top 3 national scorers. "You got scouted before the exams," I pointed out.

He shrugged. "Still counts. Besides your also smart Lucien, just lazy to study. " Joey joked and the table burst into laughter.

"Lucien!" The voice cut through everything. I turned, already irritated. A boy from Raphael’s class rushed toward us, clearly shaken.

"What is it?" Amber asked before I could.

He swallowed. "You need to come. Raphael... he lost it." he stuttered clearly losing his grip, "he lost his mind."

My frown deepened. "What do you mean?" I was confused. Raphael and losing one’s mind should not be the same sentence. That was my brand

The boy was sweating profusely but he still managed to force out some words. "Arthur accused you of cheating. Said your results do not make sense, it wasn’t possible you came out 3rd. They started arguing and Raphael just lost it..."

I did not wait for him to finish. I moved before thinking, Joey right behind me. Raphael losing his temper was rare and when he did. Things were messy..

I just didn’t understand why he lost it because of me. Arthur was among the top 3 students. He and Joey had been competing for 2nd for years..he must be disappointed he dropped all the way from second to 4th.

From a distance, I could already hear the commotion. When we got closer, I saw it. Raphael was on top of Arthur, fists landing without restraint. There was blood. Too much of it. Raphael looked like a monster with knuckles covered in blood while Arthur looked like a bloody pulp.

"That is enough," I snapped, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. Joey helped drag Arthur away before things got worse. Arthur slumped onto Joey, the guy literally looked

Raphael was breathing hard, his eyes were dark, as if he had not come back yet. I pulled him toward the restroom and shut the door behind us.

"What is wrong with you? That dude almost looks dead." I asked, looking at his bruised face. "Do you want your mother blaming me for this too?" Just thinking about Natalia made me more irritated.

He walked past me and turned on the tap, washing his hands as if nothing had happened. "Nothing is wrong with me," he said. "Unlike you, I do not run from my problems."

His tone was getting under my skin. What the fuck did he mean by that .

"I am not running from anything," I replied, stepping closer.

He looked at me then. "Then why are you leaving? Do not say it is because of Olivia. We both know that is not true." he shot straight at me.

I did not answer.

"You stopped pretending to be dumb and studied. Just to get the results to leave " His gaze did not waver. "That is running."

I stared at him, trying to understand what he wanted from me. I was stunned. He was upset I was leaving. I stared at Raphael dumbfounded I could never understand him.

"If I stay, what do you expect me to do?" I asked. " We both know they do not want me here or anywhere close to the company. All they need is a failure to compare you to. To make you look good. "

He went quiet because he understood that plainly. I drew in a deep breath before I spoke again. "Don’t act recklessly again. For the future of the Volkov family your image matters." I reminded him then turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.

"They only see you that way because you let them." I paused at his words. I didn’t like the way it settled in me.

I let out a laugh filling the space and echoing off the room. " Come on Raphael. No matter how hard I try, I would never compare to you." My grip tightened on the door. " You know what I have been through all these years." A weight pressed down on my chest.

"Then be so good they cannot ignore you," he said like it was so easy.

I shook my head. "You are exhausting and super annoying," I said before I opened the door and walked out without looking back.

I left the country and tried my best to avoid those people. But life had other plans, while I was in college I met my cousin Ivan who revealed my mother was murdered. For years I had so many bottled resentments, and that was just the final piece to put everything in play.

I barely had any contacts with them while abroad and building new horizons aside from an invitation that arrived in 2021, it was Raphael and Braelyn’s wedding. I didn’t attend because even though Raphael wanted me there my presence would ruin his wedding.

*******

Time flies faster than you realise. My heart was racing I had never been this nervous before. I was standing in front of a mirror adjusting the lapel of my tux. My mind was in altered chaos.

I pressed my eyes together. "You can do this Lucien," I whispered to myself. My mind had barely relaxed when the door flew open

Joey stood at the entryway with an annoyed expression. "Dude what’s taking you so long? The wedding is in less than an hour. " he reminded me.

.

I smiled. Yeah, today really came and my hands wouldn’t stop trembling because it felt like a dream and there was something deeper in there guilt.

A sting of guilt that I stole someone’s life but I didn’t do it honestly. Fate just fixed itself I was the eldest son and by right the company and the engagement would have been mine if they hadn’t manipulated things back then.

"Alright, I am ready. " I replied feeling much calmer.