Chapter 36 - Too Much...

Maya let out a soft sigh, her eyes gazing at Lucas with a gentle yet faintly teasing look. Her long black hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, and while her expression seemed worried, there was something behind her smile that was hard to ignore.

"You must be tired, dear…" her voice was low and soft, almost a whisper, even though they were only connected through a video call.

Lucas swallowed hard, feeling a bit uneasy under his stepmother's intense gaze. "I-I'm fine, Mom. Just… a little shocked by the news about Dad."

The woman bit her lower lip softly before her slender fingers brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "I was shocked too, Lucas. Without your father here, someone reliable… it feels so lonely."

Lucas felt his chest tighten slightly, but not from anxiety—something else, something more subtle and harder to explain. His stepmother's gaze never left the screen, as if her eyes had trapped Lucas in place.