Lucian’s pov

The hallway buzzed with the usual midday chaos, but everything sharpened when I spotted Lily. She was limping forward on those crutches, her face a mix of determination and exhaustion that twisted something deep in my chest. “Lily,” I called quietly, not wanting to draw more attention than necessary. After yesterday, after everything that had gone down, I just needed a moment with her real, without the noise.

But before she could even turn fully, Mia materialized behind me like a shadow I couldn’t shake. “Lucian!” Her voice was sugary sweet, the kind she used when she wanted something, her arm sliding through mine possessively. I felt her...