Fractured Trust

The trio made their way back to the dark alley, their laughter echoing softly through the night. Their hearts were light, filled with the thrill of success. For once, things had turned out in their favor.

As they neared the slum, their smiles faded. Lucian stood in the dimly lit path, his arms crossed, a dark expression clouding his face. The always-cheery twins stood beside him, uncharacteristically silent, their eyes filled with something close to pity.

Luke was staring at the ground, his fingers curled into fists.

Seraphina slowed her steps. The atmosphere had shifted. Something was wrong.

Lucian's sharp blue eyes, usually as clear as the sky, were dark as the ocean depths as they locked onto her.

"Where were you?" His voice was low, but the weight behind it was heavy.

Seraphina swallowed, suddenly feeling small under his scrutiny. She had the memories of her past life, but those memories didn't make her fully prepared for moments like this—especially not with Lucian. He was kind, but he could be just as cold. And right now, he looked furious.

"I—" She hesitated, fingers gripping the edge of her tattered clothes. "I got an idea for a tool… I asked Luke to make it, and I sold it to the Merchant Guild." Her voice came out softer than she intended.

Lucian's eyes didn't waver.

"Oh?" His tone was mocking. "And I'm supposed to believe that?"

Before she could react, he stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders, his grip firm.

"First, you leave without a word. Then you take Jonny with you. Are you out of your mind?" His voice rose, sharp with frustration.

Seraphina gasped as he shook her slightly, and in that moment, silver coins slipped from her grasp, clattering onto the ground.

Lucian's gaze snapped downward, his entire body stiffening. His mind raced, and only one possibility made sense—

"You stole again." His voice was deathly quiet, but the accusation cut deeper than any yell could.

Seraphina's breath hitched. The moment the words left his lips, something inside her cracked.

Her hazel eyes turned red with unshed tears, her lips parted as if to say something, to defend herself. But no words came.

How could she say anything when the person she trusted most… didn't trust her?

A sharp pain spread through her chest, and before she knew it, she shoved Lucian away.

Then she ran.

She barely heard Rose's furious voice behind her.

"Seriously, Lucy?! Even we all know she used to steal, but have you ever seen her steal money?" Rose's voice dripped with frustration. "She took a kick from the guards just for a chance to sell what Luke made!"

Rose stormed forward and grabbed Lucian's collar, pulling him down to her level.

"And you think she'd take kids with her if she were stealing? Have you lost your mind?"

Jonny, wiping his teary eyes, stepped forward and held up a piece of paper—a sketch of the tool. "Sister wasn't lying, brother… she made Luke make this."

Luke sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "I told you." His voice, usually quiet, was firm. "She trusted my skills. She risked herself to sell my work."

Lucian said nothing.

Luke studied him for a moment before sighing again. "I get it. You're worried. But this time… you were wrong." His voice softened. "You should apologize."

Without another word, Luke turned and walked away.

Rose huffed, dragging Jonny with her. She shot one last glare at Lucian before flipping her red hair dramatically. "You're an idiot."

The twins hesitated, shifting awkwardly before mumbling, "Take care, boss…" Then they, too, disappeared into the shadows.

Lucian stood frozen. His gaze fell to the silver coins at his feet. He bent down, running his fingers over the cold metal. His jaw clenched.

"…This is different." His voice was barely a whisper.

For a long moment, he stared at the coins, he collected the coins and shoved them into his pocket. Then, finally, he stood and turned toward Seraphina's hut.

The old wooden door creaked as Lucian pushed it open, careful not to use too much force. The fragile thing looked like it would collapse at the slightest shove.

His sharp eyes swept over the small, dimly lit space.

There. A mess of black curls peeked out from the broken almirah.

He treaded lightly, careful not to wake Ralph, who was sleeping soundly in the corner.

Slowly, he reached for the door and pulled it open.

Seraphina sat curled up inside, her small frame trembling. Her head was buried between her knees, and though she wasn't sobbing, the quiet sniffles filled the silence.

Lucian stood there for a moment, watching her. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest.

His fingers twitched. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face.

Finally, he crouched down and reached out, resting a hand on her frail shoulder.

"…Sorry." His voice was quiet, uncertain.

Seraphina didn't move.

Lucian exhaled, his hand tightening slightly. "I was wrong, Sera," he muttered. "I shouldn't have said those things. I—" He hesitated, then forced the words out. "I'm sorry."

Slowly, she lifted her head.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks damp, her messy hair even messier.

Lucian clenched his jaw. He had done this. He had hurt her.

Without thinking, he reached out and wiped her tears away with his thumb.

Seraphina hiccupped. And then, as if a dam had broken, she threw herself into his arms.

"I-I will never forgive you if you treat me like that again," she stuttered against his chest.

Lucian stiffened, then slowly, hesitantly, wrapped his arms around her.

"…Okay." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I promise."

His grip tightened ever so slightly.

For the first time in a long while, he let himself hold onto something warm.

He had missed this warmth.

But as his eyes fluttered shut, that warmth was accompanied by something else.

A strange, creeping fear