Dinner. Right, I hadn't eaten.
Neither had Kai.
"Kai..." I suddenly remembered. "I need to pick up Kai..."
"Let the nanny watch him longer, can't you?" Lucas said. "Going home looking like this will frighten him."
He was right.
I must look awful—swollen eyes, pallid complexion, ruined makeup. If Kai saw me...
"Alright." I nodded, messaging the nanny. "I appreciate this."
"No need for formality." Lucas smiled, approaching a black sedan parked roadside. "Come on, get in."
Not his ostentatious red McLaren.
An ordinary black Honda.
"Different car?" I followed casually.
"That one's too conspicuous." Lucas opened the passenger door with a gentlemanly flourish. "Taking this today. Staying low-key."
I slid in. The interior was immaculate, carrying subtle aromatherapy—lavender, quite soothing.
Lucas circled to the driver's seat and started the engine.
"What sounds good? Japanese? French?" he asked while reversing.
"Anything." I leaned back, eyelids growing heavy. "I'm not particular."
"The seaside place then," Lucas said. "Quiet, uncrowded, excellent seafood."
The car merged into darkness, silent except for the engine's purr and tires on asphalt. I watched scenery blur past. Beneath garish lights, the world seemed surreal.
Everything since reuniting with Kayden felt like absurd theater.
"I've dreamed of you every night for seven years."
"Please give me one chance."
"As you wish."
My heart began aching again. That dull, persistent throb like slow poison.
"Ella, you alright?" Lucas's voice drifted over.
I closed my eyes. "Just tired."
"Rest a while." He said. "I'll wake you when we arrive."
The aromatherapy seemed stronger now. Sweet, almost cloying, making me drowsy.
"Right, Ella," Lucas spoke suddenly.
"Yeah?" I didn't open my eyes.
"I've always wondered." His tone remained casual, conversational. "How do you know Blackwood?"
