CHAPTER 42: WHAT DID LUCIEN WANT?

Author’s POV

The janitor silently guided Sera down to the ground floor. The path was oddly quiet; other than the sound of their clicking heels, there was nothing.

"Here you are, Miss," he said once they reached the final turn. "Just go left, and you’ll be out of the mall in no time."

"Thank you, sir," Sera responded politely, giving him a small nod.

But her eyes lingered on him for a moment.

How could he look exactly like the guard from before? she thought. There was no way she had recognised him wrong, yet he had firmly denied it earlier. Maybe it was just her mind playing tricks again. Either way, she didn’t have the time or energy to dwell on it.

She turned to leave but then heard his voice call out once more.

"Miss."

She paused mid-step, turning slightly. "Yes, sir? Is there anything I can do for you?"

The man didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked at her for a long, before speaking again.

"Life doesn’t give a second chance to just anyone," he said softly, his words made Sera. "Don’t ruin yours by chasing revenge. But if you must... just be careful not to hurt your loved ones in the process."

Sera froze.

"And do not look for the answers you are not ready for! Just live your life and enjoy what you are given. If you dwell in the secret too much, you might end up hurting too much."

Her heartbeat stumbled. Her breath caught in her throat.

How... how did he know?

How did he speak of second chances and revenge like that? She had never mentioned it before to anyone, and no one knew about it either.

Then how?

She spun around instantly to question him, her eyes searching for him, but the hallway was empty.

He was gone.

It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

Sera stood there, heart thundering, confusion surging through her veins. Questions burned in her mind, but there was no one left to answer them.

Who was he?

And more importantly... how much did he know about her second chance?

Her mind was spinning, and she was feeling dizzy now.

She didn’t know what to do.

"What secret was I not supposed to uncover?" Sera muttered under her breath as her voice trembled. "Was it about how I came back... and no longer had autism? What was he even talking about?"

Her vision blurred, knees weakening beneath her as a strange dizziness washed over her. Her entire body went limp, like she had no bones left in them.

And just as she was about to crash onto the cold floor, a firm arm wrapped around her waist and caught her midair.

Brother Asher.

Her breath hitched as she looked up, totally stunned. He was suddenly there and shielded her from falling.

"Let me take you home," Asher said, his voice unusually soft as he gathered her in his arms.

His movements were swift as he carried her burdens without ever letting them show.

"No one will dare hurt you again," he whispered as he walked, his grip around her tightening protectively.

He brought Sera to his car and gently placed her inside, adjusting the seatbelt around her.

Her vision was fading at the edges now. She was barely conscious.

But even through the haze, she felt warmth from Asher.

"Where are you taking her?" A firm hand caught the car door before Asher could shut it.

"I’m taking my sister home," Asher replied coldly. "Is there a problem, Mr. De Rossi?"

Lucien’s jaw clenched. "Did you not hear her clearly?" he said, his voice deep and steady. "She called me. Not you."

The tension escalated between them once again.

Lucien wasn’t just standing there out of obligation, as Sera had said but he was guarding her. Because, unlike the world that had failed her, he wouldn’t step back.

"I’m not letting her go back to that house," Lucien added sharply. "I know what that place was. I’ve seen it."

Asher flinched slightly but didn’t back down.

"She’s hurt," he said at last, his voice so quiet and so soft that it silenced even Lucien for a moment. "Not just physically... but everywhere. And I—I was part of that pain. I know I failed her."

He paused, eyes locked on Lucien’s. There was no arrogance or false pride... just a man on the edge of breaking.

"I don’t know why you care so much about her," Asher continued. "But I do. She longed for our love, and we abandoned her... we left her to rot in silence. But if there’s even the smallest chance that she still needs us, then I’m not letting that go."

He turned and looked at Sera, slumped against the seat, her breathing shallow, her fists clenched even in unconsciousness.

"I just need time with her," he finished. "To give her what she deserves!"

Lucien didn’t know what to say. For once, silence fell between the two men... neither willing to back off.

But in the end, what did Lucien want? To see safe and happy.

And if that came from her brothers and not him, then maybe he should accept it. Even if it tore at something inside him.

He exhaled sharply. He was about to speak when—

"No!"

Sera screamed as if her sould was being ripped apart from her.

Both men stiffened.

"Don’t hurt me! I’m sorry, I was wrong! Do... Don’t hurt me!" she cried out and trembled uncontrollably.

Her breaths were sharp, ragged, her voice choked with terror, like she’d been dragged back into the darkness she had fought so hard to escape.

"What’s wrong?" Asher rushed to her side, panic flooding his voice.

Lucien didn’t wait either. He sprinted to the other side of the car, flung the door open, and climbed in beside her.

Sera’s body had curled in on itself. She thrashed slightly, her hands trying to shield her face as if she were expecting a blow.