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The Waiting Room

The house smelled of roses.

Seraphine stood before her mirror, brushing her hair with long, slow strokes, the silver comb gliding through like silk. Her gown was soft blue, cinched at the waist, delicate lace at the sleeves. She dabbed a rose tint onto her lips and smiled at her reflection—sweet, expectant.

She hummed a melody only the house could recognize.

A little dance, a spin, and she giggled. She looked like spring in human form, blooming just for him.

Lunch was ready. The table was set. The chandelier above glistened. And she waited.

And waited.

And waited.

The clock ticked past noon. Then two. Then four.

Outside, the sun began to bleed into the horizon.

Seraphine sat at the table, unmoving, eyes on the doorway. Her lips slowly parted, disbelief washing over her features. The food had grown cold, the tea gone dark.

A twitch at her jaw. A slow blink.

She stood up. Quietly. Pushed the chair back with grace, as though she still wanted to believe he was coming.

But he hadn't.

He was afraid.

He's planning to leave. Like the rest.

Her hand slid across the table, knocking the porcelain cup to the ground—it shattered like ice.

She turned, graceful as ever, and made her way through the hall.

To his room.

The door creaked open.

Lucien looked up. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, still in the same clothes, hands tangled in his hair. His eyes were wide—haunted. He had not touched the food. He hadn't moved.

Seraphine entered the room, quiet as a sigh.

Her feet made no sound on the floor.

She was holding something in her hand. A knife, or maybe just rage made solid.

"You didn't come," she said. Her voice was too calm. "You were supposed to come."

Lucien didn't answer.

"You don't want me?" she whispered.

He stood, slowly. Careful not to move too fast. Like she was a wild creature with fangs.

She walked toward him, step by step.

"I thought you were different," she said, voice trembling now. "But you're afraid too. You want to run. You all want to run."

Her hand lifted.

He stepped forward and gently caught her wrist.

She froze.

He didn't pull her hand away.

Instead—soft, steady—he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her.

He hugged her.

Her breath caught.

She didn't move. Didn't kill him. Just stood there, stunned and trembling in his arms.

Lucien's voice was low, barely above a whisper, but steady.

"I'm here," he murmured. "I didn't leave."

A long, shaking breath from her chest. Then a broken sound. Her fingers curled into his shirt.

And she collapsed into him.