Chapter 197

Lucian POV

It was supposed to be a simple night. A quiet drive back after spending hours in the woods, pretending we weren’t standing at the edge of our feelings. Olivia had fallen asleep in the passenger seat halfway through the trip, her head tilted gently against the window. I drove slower than usual, half because the road curved through old hills and darker stretches of trees, and half because I didn’t want the moment to end.

When we reached her place, I hesitated.

She looked so peaceful. Softer than I’d seen her in a long time. Like the years hadn’t worn her down. Like she wasn’t still carrying the scars I’d never forgiven myself for helping inflict.

“Olivia,” I said quietly, brushing a hand along her arm.

She stirred, slowly blinking her eyes open, and for a moment she just loo