Chapter 16

The sleek luxury sedan forged its way through the bustling streets of the city, the sleek lines of the vehicle a testament to Lucien's success. He sat in the back, focused, his phone pressed to his ear as he cancelled meetings that felt unnecessary given the turmoil of the day. Beside him, Lior leaned against the cool leather seat, fatigued after the emotional strain of the hospital, her eyelids growing heavy.

Lucien glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She had been unwavering in her support, yet the weight of the sleepless nights was evident in her posture, the way she seemed to shrink into herself. The silence in the car was comfortable, punctuated only by the sound of the city outside and the steady cadence of his voice over the phone. 

As the car pulled into the expansive driveway of Sterling Heights, Lucien felt a layer of tension lift. He stepped out first, moving around the vehicle to assist Lior. She accepted his hand absently, the motion more automatic than appreciative as they made their way toward the grand entrance of the mansion. 

Inside the opulent home, the air was immediately filled with warmth and the rich scent of a gourmet meal prepared. Truffle risotto, a dish Lucien had specifically requested for recovery, awaited them. The dining area glimmered under soft lighting, inviting yet formal.

"Dinner is served," he announced, his tone crisp and businesslike, a hint of relief creeping in as they settled at the dining table. 

Lior took her seat and glanced at her plate, but the exhaustion lingered in her eyes, dampening any appetite. They began eating, the silence stretching between them, comfortable yet heavy with unspoken thoughts. 

"You should eat. You need your strength," Lucien prompted gently, concern edging into his voice.

"I will. I just..." Lior hesitated, struggling to find words. "I just need a shower and some rest first."

"Of course. Go ahead," Lucien replied, his voice steady. "I'll take care of some work."

She nodded and stood, making her way toward the marble bathroom, the sound of water soon filling the silence of the house. Lucien watched her retreat with a sense of protectiveness, yet he quickly redirected his focus. 

Seated at the table, he resumed his meal, thoughts drifting quickly to the responsibilities waiting in his home office.

Once inside, he slipped into his work routine. Emails buzzed to life on his computer screen, each demanding his immediate attention. Lucien dove in, negotiating contracts and addressing urgent matters that required his clear-headed judgment. 

His phone rang, interrupting the steady clacking of keys as Marcus's name illuminated the screen. Taking a deep breath, Lucien answered, diving into discussions about Isabella's ongoing situation, strategizing without missing a beat. The rhythm of the conversation encapsulated his world: decisive, professional, and always focused on outcomes.

As the afternoon progressed, Lucien felt the pulse of the house around him—the distant sounds of staff preparing for evening routines, the waft of aromas from the kitchen, and the ever-present sense of luxury that surrounded his life. Yet amongst all of it, thoughts of Lior lingered in his background like an unfinished score, nagging but unexpressed.

After a few more calls, he finally completed his work and glanced at the clock. Evening was falling, and he wondered how Lior was faring upstairs. He decided to check on her, pushing aside thoughts of his ongoing duties. 

Lucien walked the towards Lior's room, the house quieting as the day drew to a close. He reached her door, pausing for a moment before he turned the knob and stepped inside. 

The sight before him momentarily froze him. Lior lay sprawled over her bed, covered in silk sheets, exuding an effortless vulnerability that was striking under the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Her slightly parted lips beckoned to him, and Lucien felt a rush of temptation. 

He hesitated, caught between the urge to lean closer and kiss her, and the knowledge of the distance they had maintained—both physically and emotionally. After a moment, he turned and closed the door quietly behind him, choosing to retreat back to his own room.

Lior remained oblivious to the fleeting moment that had just transpired. She had finally succumbed to a deep sleep after her shower, the warm water washing way the stresses of the day. As she drifted into slumber, her dreams offered an escape from the emotional whirlwind she had faced. 

After a time, she stirred slightly, the sound of a clock ticking in the background bringing her back to consciousness. The room was dimly lit, and she stretched, allowing herself a moment to savor the ease of being home. 

Rubbing her eyes, she sat up slowly and took a deep breath. Realizing how quiet the house was, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, feeling the cool floor against her warm feet. She glanced toward the door, contemplating whether to reach for some food or just go back to sleep.

Deciding on the latter, she moved toward her bathroom, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her appearance echoed the fatigue she had felt all day, but she also recognized the strength that lay beneath.

After a quick freshening up, Lior felt more herself. She decided to return to bed, wrapping the silk sheets around her like a cocoon. Perhaps she would get up for a snack later, but for now, the comfort of the bed was too enticing. She settled into her pillow and allowed herself to drift back into a peaceful sleep.

Meanwhile, in his own room, Lucien lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Images of the day flitted through his mind: the hospital, the conversations with the doctors, and the moments shared with Lior. He tried to shake off the thoughts of her sleeping form and instead focused on what lay ahead.

He eventually got up and dressed in comfortable lounge wear before moving to his home office to review the plans for the upcoming week. As he settled in, he poured himself a glass of water and turned on his laptop. Despite the peaceful environment, he could not shake the vision of Lior from his mind—the way her lips had looked just moments before, relaxed and inviting. When did he start having such thoughts. 

Shaking his head to dispel the thought, Lucien redirected his focus onto his work, diving back into spreadsheets, proposals, and the financial reports that needed his keen eye. Yet, even as he entered the familiar rhythm of work, the images of Lior in her room lingered in the corners of his mind, replaying the moment he had seen her and the temptation it had sparked within him.

The peaceful silence of the house encouraged Lior to rise from her bed once more. The clock indicated it was later than she had realized, and the remnants of hunger gnawed at her stomach. With a sigh, she slipped out of bed, adjusting her robe as she quietly padded down the staircase toward the kitchen. 

The house was bathed in gentle moonlight now, illuminating the marble floors and sophisticated decor. The staff had long since clocked out for the day, leaving the grand home to its inhabitants. In the kitchen, she found the chef had prepared an array of late-night snacks. 

Lior moved with purpose as she put together a small plate, content to indulge in the quiet solitude. The act of preparing her late-night snack allowed her to reflect on the day and the comfort of home. 

As she stood at the kitchen island, she couldn't help but appreciate the grandeur surrounding her. Sterling Heights, while daunting in its enormity, was a sanctuary against the chaos of the world outside. The life she had forged here, albeit unconventional, suited her needs—at least for now.

Lucien pushed through the tasks at hand, but the electric hum of the house began to fade into a comfortable lull. He finally shut down his laptop, deciding that he had accomplished enough for the evening. 

Moving toward the kitchen, Lucien was greeted by the soft glow of the overhead lights and the enticing aromas of the snacks spread out on the counter. It looked like Lior had taken the initiative to prepare something for herself. 

"Hey," he said, stepping into the room and catching her by surprise.

Lior turned, her eyes widening slightly before she relaxed. "I didn't expect anyone else to be up," she said, her voice a mix of surprise and comfort.

"Couldn't sleep," he replied, leaning against the counter. "Thought I'd see what was happening in here."

"Well, welcome to the party," she chuckled lightly, motioning to the spread.

"Looks good. Mind if I join?" Lucien asked, an easy smile crossing his face as he moved to grab a plate.

"Not at all. There's plenty," Lior said, her spirit lifting at the unexpected interaction. 

As they prepared plates together, a comfortable silence enveloped the space, with the occasional shared glance and smile. It was one of those rare moments where the boundaries they had established felt slightly relaxed, each settling into a rhythm that felt enjoyable. 

With their plates filled, they moved to the nearby dining table, each finding a chair and feeling the ease wrap around them like a familiar blanket. The late-night atmosphere felt lighter, illuminated by the soft glow of the pendant lights above.

"Do you ever get used to the chaos of it all?" Lior asked, breaking the tranquil silence.

"Not really," Lucien replied, taking a bite of fruit. "But I've learned to deal with it. It helps to have my head in work when things get too overwhelming."

"I understand that," Lior said, a subtle look of understanding passing between them. "Sometimes, it's just about finding small pockets of comfort in the madness."

"Exactly." He nodded, appreciating her perspective.

They shared a laugh, the light conversation weaving a thread of connection between them that felt significant but unforced. In that moment, it was easy to forget their differences and the complexities tied to their living arrangement, even if just for a while.

As their plates emptied, the casual chatter gradually subsided. Lior leaned back in her chair, a comfortable smile on her face. "Thanks for joining me"—her eyes sparkled with a sense of relief. "I really needed this."

"Me too," Lucien replied, surprised at how natural the exchange felt. He felt a sense of camaraderie that had been rare since they began living under the same roof. 

The two exchanged a few more stories, growing comfortable in their newfound dynamic. But as the clock neared midnight, they could feel the weariness creeping back in, their earlier energy fading.

"I should probably get some sleep," Lior said, stifling a yawn.

Lucien agreed, rising from the table and setting his plate aside.

"Goodnight, Lucien," Lior said as they moved toward the exit of the kitchen. Their eyes met for a brief moment, a balance of understanding and companionship lingering between them.

"Goodnight," he replied, slipping back into his role as the composed counterpart. 

Lior walked back to her room, reflecting on the significance of their late-night exchange. The atmosphere had shifted subtly; the walls around them felt less confining, and for the first time in a while, she sensed a lightness in their relationship that hadn't been there before. The laughter and shared snacks had humanized the barriers they had erected to protect themselves.