The bus rattled gently as it moved through the streets of Greenville. Lucas sat by the window, his gaze drifting over the familiar sights of his hometown. The late afternoon sun cast a warm golden hue over the tree-lined streets, the small parks bustling with life, and the rows of quaint houses. It was a view that stirred a pang of nostalgia in his chest, though he quickly buried it beneath his usual indifference.
He leaned his head against the glass, letting the soft vibrations of the bus lull his thoughts. Memories of simpler times crept into his mind—times when life wasn't as complicated, when betrayal and manipulation hadn't yet shaped him into the man he was now. A faint smile tugged at his lips, but it vanished just as quickly as it came.
The peaceful moment was interrupted by the buzz of his phone in his pocket. Lucas frowned and pulled it out, his expression hardening slightly when he saw the name on the screen.
Cindy.
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