Chapter 17

Lior woke to sunlight streaming through the tall windows of her bedroom, the events of the previous evening drifting back to her consciousness like pieces of a half-remembered dream. The midnight conversation in the kitchen, the easy laughter, the way Lucien had looked at her when they said goodnight - it all felt different in the harsh morning light.

She stretched against the silk sheets, noting the time on her phone. Seven-thirty. Early enough to catch the morning lectures if she hurried, but late enough that the household would already be active downstairs.

The shower was hot and perfect, as always. Everything at Sterling Heights was perfect, designed to anticipate needs before they were even recognized. As she dressed in jeans and a simple sweater, Lior found herself wondering if last night's warmth between them would carry over into daylight, or if Lucien would retreat back into his usual controlled distance.

Downstairs, the familiar sounds of morning routines filled the grand house. Mrs. Chen's efficient movements in the kitchen, the distant murmur of business calls from Lucien's study, the soft footsteps of staff preparing for another day of maintaining the flawless operation that was his domestic life.

She found Mrs. Chen arranging fresh flowers in the breakfast room, her movements precise and practiced.

"Good morning, Mrs. Pembroke. Mr. Pembroke asked me to let you know that breakfast is ready whenever you are, and the car will be available for your campus schedule."

"Is he joining me for breakfast?"

"He's handling some urgent business matters at the moment, but he should be available shortly."

The careful phrasing suggested that whatever Lucien was dealing with was significant enough to take precedence over their usual morning routine. Lior accepted the coffee Mrs. Chen offered and settled at the small table positioned to catch the morning light.

Through the windows, she could see the perfectly manicured grounds of Sterling Heights stretching toward the city beyond. Three weeks ago, this level of luxury had felt surreal, almost overwhelming. Now it was simply the backdrop of her daily life, as familiar as her old cramped apartment had once been.

How quickly human beings adapted to new circumstances when those circumstances provided security and comfort.

The sound of voices from the study grew more distinct as someone approached. Marcus appeared in the breakfast room doorway, nodding politely before heading toward the front of the house. His expression was professionally neutral, but Lior had learned to recognize the subtle signs that indicated serious business was being conducted.

A few minutes later, Lucien entered the breakfast room, already dressed for the day in a charcoal suit that emphasized the lean strength of his frame. His tie was perfectly knotted, his expression composed, giving no indication of whatever urgent matters had occupied his morning.

"Good morning," he said, settling into the chair across from her with fluid efficiency.

"Morning. Everything alright with your business calls?"

"It is."

The response was delivered with the same polite distance that had characterized their interactions before last night's kitchen conversation. As if those moments of genuine connection had never happened.

Lior felt a familiar flutter of disappointment mixed with irritation. "Right. Of course."

Lucien reached for his coffee, his movements precise and controlled. "The car will be waiting for you outside."

"Actually, I was thinking I might take the subway today. It's been a while since I've had a normal commute."

"No."

The single word carried absolute finality, delivered with the same tone he might use to refuse a poorly structured business proposal.

"No? Just like that?"

"Marcus will drive you to campus and arrange pickup when your classes end."

"I'm perfectly capable of navigating public transportation, Lucien."

"I'm sure you are. Nevertheless, Marcus will handle your transportation."

The casual dismissal of her preferences sparked the rebellious streak that had gotten her into trouble at the coffee shop where they'd first met. "What if I refuse?"

Lucien's gray eyes met hers directly, and she saw a flicker of something that might have been amusement. "You won't."

"You seem very confident about that."

"I am."

The certainty in his voice was infuriating and oddly compelling at the same time. Lior found herself caught between wanting to argue and wanting to understand the reasoning behind his absolute conviction that she would comply with his decisions.

"For the research interview tomorrow," she said, changing tactics. "I should probably prepare some questions about Dr. Harrison's work."

"You should probably reconsider attending altogether."

"What? Why?"

"The timing is convenient. Too convenient."

"Convenient how?"

Lucien was quiet for a moment, his fingers drumming once against the table in a gesture she'd learned indicated he was processing information he wasn't ready to share.

"Academic opportunities don't usually appear immediately after family medical crises," he said finally.

"That's not exactly an explanation."

"It's the only explanation you need at the moment."

The familiar pattern of him withholding information while making unilateral decisions about her life sparked a flare of genuine anger. "You know what? I'm getting really tired of you deciding what I need to know and when I need to know it."

"And I'm getting tired of explaining why your safety takes precedence over your academic curiosity."

"My safety? From a medical school professor?"

"From people who use academic opportunities to gather information about things that don't concern them."

The ominous phrasing sent a chill down Lior's spine. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing you can't handle not knowing."

"That's not an answer."

Before Lior could say more, Mrs. Chen appeared in the doorway with a discretely apologetic expression.

"Mr. Pembroke? Mr. Sterling is here."

Marcus entered behind her, carrying a folder thick with papers. His expression was more serious than usual, suggesting whatever information he'd brought was significant.

Lucien stood, his attention already shifting to whatever urgent matters Marcus had brought. "We'll continue this conversation later."

"Will we? Or will you just make more decisions without consulting me?"

Something flickered across his features, too quick to interpret clearly. "Later, Lior."

The use of her name rather than some polite dismissal suggested he was taking her frustration seriously, even if he wasn't planning to change his approach to managing information.

Twenty minutes later, she found herself in the back of the sedan, watching the city flow past the windows as they made their way toward campus.

The driver maintained professional silence during the drive, but she noticed he took a route that included several apparently random turns and what looked like careful attention to other vehicles on the road. Security protocols, probably, though he gave no indication that anything unusual was happening.

Maya was waiting outside the lecture hall with the determined expression she got when she'd been thinking about something important.

"Finally," Maya said, falling into step beside her as they entered the building. "I was beginning to think you'd been absorbed completely into billionaire wife mode."

"Nothing that dramatic. Just adjusting to some changes in routine."

They settled into their usual seats as Dr. Patterson began the lecture on advanced cardiac pathophysiology. For the next two hours, Lior lost herself in the familiar rhythm of medical education, grateful for intellectual challenges that had nothing to do with corporate espionage or family conspiracies.

During the break between lectures, David approached with obvious relief at seeing her back in class.

"Lior, welcome back. How's your mom doing?"

"Much better. The doctors are optimistic about her recovery."

"That's wonderful news. I know how worried you've been."

His genuine concern felt refreshing after the morning's tense conversation with Lucien.

"Actually," David continued, "I wanted to ask about that research opportunity with Dr. Harrison. Are you still planning to interview tomorrow?"

"I think so. Though I'm starting to have some concerns about it."