Chapter 27

Lucian

I stroke her hair gently as she talks, so that she feels safe enough to speak without any hindrance or fear of being judged.

It’s a safe place with me, always has been.

“I was first. I became friends with Marcus in college because… well, he was cool. At the time, Billie was struggling with her studies. Her father just died.”

When she says this, I hold her a lot tighter. It’s a comforting little hug to get her though the tough parts of the story.

“When I first met Marcus, it was bliss. He was the sage. The one I could always come to for advice on whatever. Some of his methods at handling different situations were… unorthodox… if I should say, but they never really struck to me as odd.”

“That’s when I decided that Billie could meet this friend of mine. It was the best decision I could have given her until it wasn’t.” her voice breaks and I tighten my grip around her.

I’m beginning to doubt the effectiveness of these hug