Love And Vengeance

Leah?

The night was quiet when Lucian pulled into the garage. The engine’s low hum faded as he turned off the ignition, leaving behind a heavy stillness that seemed to fill the air. He rested both hands on the steering wheel for a while, eyes fixed on the faint glow of the dashboard lights.

It had been a long day, another late meeting that dragged on longer than planned. He’d stayed behind to discuss final terms with a business partner, something that couldn’t wait till morning. Halfway through the meeting, he realized he’d forgotten his phone at home, but by then, it was already too late to go back for it.

Now, sitting there in the dark, he leaned his head back and exhaled softly. His tie felt too tight. His thoughts wandered, to Georgia.

He hadn’t called her in days. Work had swallowed him whole, and yet every quiet moment brought her back to him. The sound of her voice. The way her eyes held his when she wanted to understand him but he couldn’t tell her everything.

Lucian rubbed the back of his neck and whispered under his breath, “Maybe keeping it from her wasn’t the best idea.”

The thought lingered, heavy and sharp. He closed his eyes for a second, then shook it off. He’d deal with it soon. For now, all he wanted was a shower, silence, and maybe a few hours of sleep.

He pushed the car door open, stepping into the soft yellow light that spread across the garage floor. His black shoes clicked quietly as he walked toward the door leading into the house. He loosened his tie, rolled his shoulders, and turned the handle.

The moment he stepped in, something felt… different.

The lights were still on. The faint scent of something sweet, maybe vanilla or lavender, drifted through the air.

Lucian frowned lightly. He never left lights on. And that scent… wasn’t his usual cologne.

He stepped further inside, his eyes scanning the living room. Everything looked the same, except the warm throw blanket on the couch and a pair of small slippers near the rug.

Then, a voice broke the silence.

“You’re finally home!”

Lucian froze for a second. The voice was soft, cheerful, and so familiar that it tugged a small smile from the corner of his lips before he could stop it.

From around the corner, a young woman appeared, barefoot, wearing one of his shirts that nearly swallowed her whole.

“Leah?” he said, surprise soft in his tone.

“Hi!” she grinned and ran straight into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “You didn’t think I’d actually stay away forever, did you?”

Lucian blinked, caught between shock and amusement. “What the hell are you doing here?”

She pulled back slightly, her smile wide and proud. “I missed you.”

He sighed, his lips twitching into a faint smile as he looked down at her. “You came all the way here just to say that?”

“Not just to say it. To prove it,” she said, giving him another quick hug. “You didn’t visit home, and Mom wouldn’t let me come, so…” she shrugged, eyes gleaming mischievously, “I escaped.”

Lucian chuckled quietly, the sound low and warm. “You what?”

“I packed my bag when she wasn’t looking,” she said proudly, walking toward the couch like she owned the place. “Then I got on the first flight I could find and came here. You should’ve seen her face when she realized I was gone.”

Lucian followed her into the living room, shaking his head. “You two are still at it, huh? You and Mom.”

“She still treats me like I’m twelve,” Leah said, sitting cross-legged on the couch. “I told her I needed a break. So, here I am.”

Lucian stood beside the couch, watching her settle in with an ease that filled the quiet house with something warm, something he hadn’t felt in weeks. He slowly unbuttoned the top of his shirt and sat down beside her, resting one arm on the back of the couch.

“You didn’t tell anyone you were coming?” he asked.

“Nope,” she said with a grin. “Damien wouldn’t open the door for me.”

Lucian frowned. “You went there first?”

“Yeah. But when I rang the bell, he didn’t answer. I think he saw me on the cameras and pretended to be asleep.”

Lucian chuckled softly. “He wouldn’t do that. It’s been months since you last saw him.”

She leaned her head against the couch, looking up at him with mock annoyance. “Well, he did. So I came here instead.”

He smiled faintly, shaking his head. “You always find a way to get what you want.”

Leah grinned. “I learned from the best.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “That’s supposed to be a compliment?”

“It is,” she said, nudging his arm. “You’re my big brother. Of course I’d pick up a few tricks.”

He chuckled quietly, the sound light and genuine. It had been a while since laughter came this easily.

She shifted closer and leaned her head on his shoulder. “You look tired.”

“Long day,” he admitted. “Meetings. A few I couldn’t skip.”

“You didn’t even pick up when I called earlier,” she said, pouting.

“I forgot my phone,” he said with a sigh. “It’s been that kind of day.”

Leah nodded like she understood, her fingers absently playing with the cuff of his sleeve. “Then it’s a good thing I came. You need company.”

Lucian smiled, tilting his head slightly toward her. “And here I was thinking I’d get some peace tonight.”

She gasped and sat up. “Are you saying I’m noisy?”

“I’m saying you talk too much,” he teased, eyes glinting faintly.

She pressed a hand to her chest dramatically. “Unbelievable. I come all this way, risking Mom’s wrath, and this is the thanks I get?”

Lucian laughed, the sound soft but rich. “You haven’t changed one bit.”

“I missed you, Lucian,” she said quietly after a pause, her playful tone softening.

He looked at her for a moment, the warmth in his chest growing. “I missed you too, Leah.”

She smiled, eyes glimmering. “You don’t sound like it.”

He raised a brow. “What do you want me to do? Write it down?”

She laughed and hugged him again, tight and full of affection. “You could say it like you mean it.”

Lucian smiled faintly and patted her back. “Fine. I missed you, brat.”

“Better,” she murmured against his shoulder.

When she pulled away, she caught sight of the clock on the wall. “Wow, it’s past midnight already.”

“You can stay here,” he said, standing up and stretching his arms slightly. “Guest room’s clean. Or did you come planning to steal my bed too?”

Leah grinned. “I might. It’s softer.”

Lucian shook his head with mock seriousness. “You’ll be changing the sheets again if you spill snacks on them this time.”

“I’ll try,” she said innocently, then smirked. “But no promises.”

He sighed, fighting a small smile. “Fine. Stay as long as you want.”

Her eyes softened. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said simply. “It’s been a while. The house could use some noise.”

She grinned wide and jumped to hug him again. “Thank you, big bro.”

“No problem,” he murmured, patting her head.

She leaned back, her face glowing with warmth. “I really missed you, Lucian.”

He gave her a long look before smirking slightly. “Have you missed me… or my card?”

Leah gasped in fake offense, then burst out laughing. “Both,” she said between giggles.

Lucian chuckled, shaking his head. “You haven’t changed at all.”

“I hope not,” she said proudly.

The laughter faded into quiet comfort. Leah sat curled up on the couch again, yawning softly. Lucian stood there for a moment, just watching her. The house no longer felt empty.

He turned off the hallway light, leaving only the soft golden glow of the living room lamp.

“Get some rest,” he said quietly.

“You too,” she murmured sleepily.

Lucian gave her one last look, his little sister, safe and smiling, before walking toward the stairs.

And for the first time that night, the silence in his house didn’t feel cold.

It felt like home.