☆Chapter 46: A Heart That Doesn’t Forget☆

Lucian was gone…

But he was never really gone.

Even as he trained harder than ever, pushing himself to the brink, he couldn't escape the memories.

Her smile.

Her laughter.

The way her eyes lit up when she was plotting another prank with Matteo.

And the way she looked at him when she thought no one noticed…

☆☆☆

Lucian stood in the underground training room, fists clenched as he pounded the punching bag.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Each hit was harder.

Faster.

But no amount of training could silence the ache in his chest.

"You're going to break that bag, kid."

Matteo's voice echoed behind him.

"Good," Lucian muttered, not stopping.

Matteo leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"It's been weeks."

"I know."

"She's waiting for you."

Lucian's jaw clenched, but he didn't stop.

"I don't deserve to be by her side."

☆☆☆

Matteo's patience wore thin...

"You're an idiot."

Thud.

"You're avoiding her like the plague, and for what?"

"It's not that simple, Matteo."

"Then explain it to me."

Lucian finally stopped, his breathing ragged.

"I can't stand beside her feeling… this."

"Feeling what?"

"Like I want more."

Silence.

Matteo's expression softened.

"And what's wrong with that?"

Lucian's shoulders sagged.

"I can't ruin what we have."

"And if she feels the same?"

Lucian froze.

That thought terrified him.

"She deserves better."

"You're a fool."

Matteo pushed off the wall.

"You're not protecting her by staying away."

"You're hurting her."

☆☆☆

Meanwhile…

Seraphina wasn't doing any better.

Her world felt… incomplete.

No matter how much she tried to distract herself—

Reading.

Training.

Even sneaking into Lorenzo's meetings to mess with his files.

Nothing filled the void Lucian left.

"Nonno, do you think Lucian hates me?"

Nonno nearly dropped his glass of wine.

"Hates you?"

Seraphina sat at the dining table, her voice barely above a whisper.

"He left… without saying anything."

"Oh, bambina…"

Nonno sighed, his expression softening.

"Lucian doesn't hate you."

"Then why did he leave?"

Her voice cracked.

Nonno hesitated.

"Because sometimes… the heart is too scared to face what it truly wants."

Seraphina's eyes dimmed.

"What if… he never comes back?"

Nonno gave her a small, knowing smile.

"He will."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because you're his home, bambina."

And even the strongest souls… always find their way back home.

☆☆☆

Weeks passed.

Lucian stood at the edge of the De Luca estate, watching from a distance.

His heart ached every time he caught a glimpse of her.

But he kept his distance.

Until…

"Still hiding, huh?"

Lorenzo's cold voice echoed behind him.

Lucian stiffened.

"Sir…"

"Come with me."

No room for argument.

Lorenzo led lucian through the gardens, where Seraphina sat by the fountain, her gaze distant.

"You left her."

"I—"

"You think she's weak without you?"

Lucian's jaw clenched.

"I was protecting her."

"By breaking her heart?"

Lucian looked away, guilt weighing heavily.

"Fix it."

Lorenzo turned to leave but paused.

"She cried for you, Lucian."

Lucian stood frozen as Lorenzo disappeared.

He hadn't seen her this close in weeks.

She looked…

Tired.

Hurt.

Lonely.

"Sera…"

Her head snapped up.

Her eyes widened.

"Lucian?"

And just like that…

His resolve shattered.