Chapter 150

150 Morning

Lucian

Morning crept in with a soft golden hue, and for a long moment, I refused to open my eyes.

Spending the night in the mansion had felt like a good idea yesterday-safe, familiar, private. But now, as I lay there listening to the soft rhythm of Mara’s breathing beside me, the dread of morning set in. I knew what lay ahead. Breakfast. Or more accurately, a tribunal with food on the table.

I hated breakfast. Always had. And this one was bound to be worse than usual.

I could already see the topics lining up like soldiers waiting for orders. Darian’s daughter would be mentioned. His move out of the mansion. His marriage to Tiffany-who, let’s face it, still had the emotional range of a locked door when it came to him. Me offering them refuge? Definitely an offence in my father’s book. Then there was Richard-his health, his future, and everything I hadn’t decided yet. My father’s scrutiny on my choices would come eventually-whether from him directly or with Martha’s prodding.

Then there was Mara-her opinion, her plans for our child, our future. Her composure would be dissected, praised or