Lucius arrived home late that night, his shoulders slumped and his face etched with despair. The house was unusually quiet, yet his family, and even his close friends, had been waiting anxiously for his return. The moment they saw him enter, flanked by Luca and Roderick, they rose from their seats.
Layla's gaze immediately locked onto him, scanning every detail. They lingered on his right hand, tightly wrapped in a white bandage, and a flicker of worry crossed her features.
Before anyone could speak, Alekis stepped forward. Without a word, he pulled Lucius into a firm embrace, offering a quiet reassurance. His hands patted Lucius's back in steady rhythms.
Lucius pulled back slightly and turned his gaze toward Layla. "I'm fine," he said, sweeping his eyes across everyone present. "Thank you… for waiting, for your silent prayers. And… I'm sorry for bringing you trouble again."
"Don't say that," Demitri replied firmly. "You never gave us trouble," he added.
