Steam curled from the shower, filling the small bathroom with a hazy warmth. Lucian stepped out, water dripping from his hair. He pressed a hand against the fogged mirror and wiped it clear, staring into his own eyes.
"My life… stuck between two people.
One holds my heart…
One holds my regret…"
A memory struck him like a punch.
His expression shifted instantly—fear, panic, guilt.
"Kai…"
The past swallowed him whole.
6 MONTHS BEFORE
Lucian's hands shook as he fumbled with the spare key. He pushed open Kai's apartment door, calling out:
"Kai? Kai, I'm coming in!"
The apartment was a war zone.
Furniture overturned.
Pillows torn apart.
Scattered papers and empty pill bottles littered the floor.
Lucian's chest tightened.
Kai… what happened here? Did you take your tablets? Why aren't you picking up the phone?" Why didn't you answer me? What if you—
His breath hitched, catching in his throat.
"Kai… please… don't do anything stupid…"
He bolted outside, yanking open the car door, and sped toward Kai's old house.
KAI!! Where are you?! Please… don't do anything stupid!" His voice cracked. "If you want to hurt yourself… do it to ME instead! Not you!"
Suddenly—a scream ripped through the night.
Lucian raced toward the sound.
And froze.
A girl lay on the ground, terror written across her face. Two men loomed over her. And Kai—fury burning in his chest—was in the middle of it, fighting with everything he had.
"Did I say to TOUCH HER?!" Kai roared, landing a heavy punch.
"Kai! Kai, STOP!" Lucian shouted.
The men scrambled, disappearing into the darkness.
Kai stood over the girl, chest heaving, hands shaking.
"This is my fault…" he whispered. "My mind… it went somewhere else. I tried to help her… but—" His voice cracked. "I… I did something bad to you too… and now her… I'm… dirty."
Lucian grabbed his arm, firm.
"Kai, enough. First, we get her to the hospital."
Kai carefully lifted the unconscious girl while Lucian supported her head.
"Aerin… are you okay? Look at me…"
Her eyes fluttered open, meeting Kai's shaky gaze. Confusion, fear, something fragile and broken. And then she fainted again.
Lucian opened the car door. They placed her inside and sped toward the hospital.
PRESENT — 6 MONTHS LATER
Steam fogged the mirror once more. Lucian stared at himself, same face, heavier somehow.
"Haaa…"
The reflection looked fine. Almost perfect.
But he knew better.
"My mirror only shows the outside… the part inside is already broken."
"I'm not sure I can fix it."