"I forgive you," Lucien said softly.
At that very moment, lightning cracked outside, its blinding flash spilling into the room, followed by the sudden roar of rain. The storm brought a strange calmness in the weather.
"Lucien, why are you not doing anything?" Leia's voice trembled with concern as her hands cupped his face, her thumbs brushing gently over his cheekbones.
He leaned into her touch but his eyes were troubled. "There's something I need to tell you," he confessed. The thoughts that had plagued him since yesterday pressed heavily on his chest.
Leia studied his expression carefully, unease rising in her heart. "What is it? Why do you look like this? You're scaring me."
Lucien exhaled slowly. "Did you notice Ronan and Kieran? They aren't here, are they?"
"No," Leia shook her head, her brows furrowed. "Only Grandma is home, and she's resting. I was with her earlier. Why? What's wrong?"
