Chapter 44

44 (Lucian’s POV) Steel Corporation

Lucian

I arrived at the office earlier than usual, wanting time to clear out my old desk and move into my father’s office. It didn’t take long-I never kept much. I was efficient, always expecting change.

The top-floor office was just as pristine and powerful as I remembered. The skyline stretched out through floor-to-ceiling glass. It almost looked like there was no glass-just air and height. I walked across the room slowly, letting it sink in.

This space, this view… it was mine now.

My eyes landed on the only thing that truly mattered in the room: my mother’s portrait. It hung beautifully on the far wall. Martha had tried, more than once, to convince my father to take it down. He never did. And now I understood why.

I was still admiring it when the door opened.