☆Chapter 45: When Distance Hurts the Most☆

A Decision That Broke Him

Lucian stood before Lorenzo, his jaw clenched, eyes downcast.

"I'm asking… to be relieved of my duties, sir."

The air in the study grew heavier.

Lorenzo's pen stopped mid-signature.

Silence.

A deadly silence.

Matteo, who stood by the window, narrowed his eyes, while Nonno sipped his espresso, watching quietly.

"You want to leave Sera?" Lorenzo's voice was dangerously calm.

"I'm not leaving her. I just—"

Lucian paused, his throat tightening.

"I don't think I should… stay by her side anymore."

Lorenzo's cold, calculating gaze pierced through Lucian.

"And why is that?"

Damn it.

Lucian knew this wouldn't be easy.

But he had to do it.

"Because I care for her."

Lorenzo's expression didn't change, but something shifted in the room.

"I've been by her side for years, protecting her. But… it's different now."

"Different how?" Matteo asked, his voice neutral but his eyes filled with curiosity.

"I…" Lucian swallowed hard.

"I feel something more. And I can't—"

His voice cracked.

"I can't stay by her side feeling this way. I don't want to take advantage of her trust."

A low chuckle echoed in the room.

"Ah, young love."

Nonno smirked, setting his cup down.

"You think leaving is the solution? Idiot."

"Don Vincenzo…" Lucian sighed, his heart pounding.

Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled.

"You're running away."

"No, sir." Lucian stood straighter.

"I'm trying to protect her."

Lorenzo exchanged glances with Matteo and Nonno.

"Very well."

"What?" Lucian's eyes widened in surprise.

"Take a break." Lorenzo's voice was sharp, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.

"Go back after clearing your head."

"But—"

"That's an order."

Lucian swallowed, nodding reluctantly.

☆☆☆

Days passed.

Serafina felt it almost immediately.

Lucian was gone.

He wasn't standing by her side.

He wasn't trailing behind her like a silent shadow.

He wasn't there when she snuck around to blackmail Matteo.

And he definitely wasn't there when Lorenzo dragged her to meetings.

"Where's Lucian?" she asked casually one evening, poking at her food.

"Busy," Matteo muttered, eyes not meeting hers.

Nonno sipped his wine, avoiding her gaze.

Even Lorenzo, who was usually direct, remained silent.

Her heart dropped.

☆☆☆

Days turned into a week.

Serafina tried to ignore the ache in her chest.

But it wouldn't go away.

Lucian wasn't just her guard.

He was her constant.

Her safe space.

Her… friend.

"Why did he leave?"

Did I do something wrong?

☆☆☆

It was a quiet afternoon when Serafina finally broke.

She sat alone in the garden, her arms wrapped around her knees.

The place where Lucian used to stand was… empty.

So painfully empty.

"Lucian…" she whispered, her throat tightening.

Her eyes burned.

"Why did you leave?"

And for the first time…

Seraphina cried.

Not for her father.

Not for Nonno.

Not for Matteo.

But for Lucian.

The one who left without a word.

Her tears fell silently as her heart clenched.

"Why, Lucian?"

"Why did you abandon me?"

And for the first time…

Seraphina felt truly… alone.