Mia’s POV

The door was only open a few inches, but it felt like the entire night had rushed inside with him. Lucian stood there in the dim hallway light, taller than I remembered in that moment, shadows cutting sharp lines across his face. His eyes were the worst part dark, unblinking, burning with something I couldn’t name yet. Not quite rage. Not quite grief. Something colder. Something that made the air between us feel thin.

My fingers tightened around the edge of the door.

“Lucian… why are you here?”

The question came out softer than I meant it to. Almost careful. I hated how my voice sounded small, uncertain....