Lucian pushed the door open with his shoulder, the weight of the day pressing down on him like something heavy sitting on his back. His muscles ached. His head felt full of noise. The house lights were on, warm and soft, glowing through the windows, which meant someone was still awake.
He dropped his keys on the small table near the entrance, the metal clinking loud against the wood in the quiet.
He didn't expect anyone to answer.
He thought maybe he could just walk upstairs, close his door, and finally breathe.
But a small head peeked out from the hallway.
"Lucian?"
He stopped walking. His hand was still near the table. His body went still.
Leah stepped fully into view. She wore one of her soft pink sweaters, the ones she always said made her feel cute, and her hair was tied into a
