Lucas didn't like the way the room felt anymore.
It was the same office.
Same desk.
Same people moving in and out with files and reports.
But something had changed.
Or maybe—
Someone had.
His eyes lifted briefly.
Lina sat across the room, typing calmly on her laptop.
Focused.
Professional.
Like she hadn't just asked him something that could ruin everything.
"Is he the reason you've been distracted lately?"
Lucas exhaled slowly and looked away.
Trying to focus on the document in front of him.
Numbers blurred.
Words didn't stay.
Because his mind wasn't there.
It was stuck on one thought:
How much does she actually know?
"Mr. Lucas?"
He looked up.
Lina stood beside his desk now.
A file in her hand.
"This needs your signature."
Lucas took it without meeting her eyes.
"Leave it."
She didn't move immediately.
He noticed.
"…Anything else?" he asked, tone flat.
"No," she said.
But she was still standing there.
Lucas finally looked at her.
She smiled slightly.
Not warm.
Not cold.
Just… knowing.
"I'll be at my desk if you need anything," she added.
Then turned and walked away.
Lucas watched her go.
And for the first time—
Distance didn't feel like protection.
It felt like delay.
Across the world—
Michael didn't reach for his phone.
Not immediately.
His books were open.
Notes lined neatly across the table.
And for once—
He wasn't distracted.
"Okay… so this part means the court interprets—"
"You're getting it," Daniel said, leaning slightly over the table.
Michael paused.
Then nodded.
"…Yeah."
Daniel smiled.
"Told you it wasn't impossible."
Michael let out a small breath.
It felt… lighter.
Not because things were easy.
But because for a moment—
He wasn't thinking about anything else.
Not missed calls.
Not short replies.
Not distance.
His eyes moved.
Just slightly.
Lucas.
The phone lit up.
Then went still again.
Michael looked at it.
Then—
Turned back to his notes.
"I think I understand this case now," he said.
Daniel nodded, unaware of the shift that had just happened.
And just like that—
Michael didn't pick up.
Lucas stared at his phone.
Call ended.
"…Seriously?" he muttered.
He tried again.
This time—
Straight to voicemail.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Because now—
He recognized the feeling.
Waiting.
And not knowing why.
He dropped the phone on the table.
Running a hand through his hair.
"…You've been distant," he muttered to himself.
But even as he said it—
Something clicked.
That's what he said to Michael before.
The realization didn't sit well.
Later that night—
Michael finally called back.
Lucas picked immediately.
"Michael—"
"I was studying," Michael said simply.
Lucas paused.
"…You saw my calls."
"Yes."
Silence.
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
"You could have picked," he said.
Michael didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"I thought you were busy."
That line landed harder than expected.
Lucas frowned.
"That's not the same thing."
Michael shrugged slightly, even though he couldn't be seen.
"It is now."
The words were calm.
But colder than anything Michael had ever said before.
Lucas sat up.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Michael exhaled slowly.
"It means… I'm not going to keep interrupting your life every time I want to talk."
That wasn't anger.
That was distance.
Lucas felt it clearly now.
"You're not interrupting anything," he said.
Michael didn't reply.
Because that wasn't how it had been feeling lately.
"…You've changed," Lucas added quietly.
A small pause.
Then—
"I learned from you."
That did it.
Silence fell between them again.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
"…That's not fair," Lucas said finally.
Michael let out a quiet breath.
"Neither is this."
No shouting.
No raised voices.
But something was breaking anyway.
Lucas ended the call later than he should have.
Not because it got better.
But because neither of them knew how to end it.
Now—
He sat alone again.
Phone in his hand.
Mind restless.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Lina stepped inside.
"I finalized the revised report," she said, placing it gently on the table.
Lucas nodded without looking.
"Thanks."
She didn't leave.
Again.
Lucas noticed.
Slowly looked up.
"…Yes?"
Lina studied him for a moment.
Then—
Walked a little closer.
"You've been trying to fix something," she said.
Lucas frowned slightly.
"I'm working."
She shook her head softly.
"No," she said. "Not that."
Silence.
Lucas didn't respond.
Because part of him knew—
She wasn't wrong.
Then—
She said it.
Clear.
Direct.
"If he matters that much… why hide him?"
Everything stopped.
Lucas didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Because that question—
Wasn't just dangerous.
It was true.
And for the first time—
He didn't have an answer.