Chapter 25: Progress
Lara pulled into the driveway, cutting the engine as she let out a slow breath. The warm glow of the living room lights seeped through the curtains, confirming what she already suspected.
Lucas was home.
The happiness she had felt earlier, the lightness from her evening with Reagan, slowly dissipated, replaced by an unsettling unease. There was no reason to feel guilty. She hadn't done anything wrong. And yet, a strange nervousness settled in her chest.
Taking a steadying breath, she grabbed her bag and draped Reagan's coat over her arm before stepping out of the car. The sound of her heels clicking against the garage floor echoed faintly as she walked toward the front door.
As soon as she entered the house, she caught sight of Lucas in the living room. He was sitting on the couch, dressed comfortably in a plain white shirt and gray sweatpants, his laptop open on the coffee table in front of him. His fingers moved across the keyboard before he suddenly stopped, looking up as if sensing her presence.
Their eyes met. His gaze flickered down, lingering on her before his brows furrowed slightly.
Lara felt her body stiffen for a fraction of a second before she forced herself to act normal. She smiled—polite, practiced. "Oh, you're home."
She set down her bag, slipping out of her heels and into her house slippers. "Have you had dinner yet?"
Lucas didn't respond.
She looked up, only to find him still staring at her.
There was something unreadable in his expression, something that made her shift slightly on her feet. She wasn't sure how to interpret it, but she decided not to dwell on it.
"I already ate outside with a friend," she said casually, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she straightened up. "But if you haven't eaten yet, I can cook something simple for you."
Lucas finally looked away, his attention returning to his laptop. "I'm fine," he said flatly.
Lara stared at him for a moment, debating whether to say something else. But what was the point? He had already dismissed the conversation.
Exhaling softly, she nodded. "Alright," she murmured before turning toward the stairs and heading to her room.
Once inside her bedroom, Lara placed her purse on the nightstand before putting Reagan's coat on her laundry basket, deciding she would wash it before returning it. She then grabbed a pair of soft pajamas from her closet and headed for the bathroom.
The warm water soothed her, washing away the tension clinging to her shoulders. By the time she stepped out, she felt lighter, more at ease. Dressed in her pajamas, she sat on the edge of her bed, running a towel through her damp hair. Reaching for her phone, she typed a quick message.
Lara: Did you get home safe? I just realized I forgot to give back your coat. I'll make sure to give it back next time.
She placed her phone down and continued drying her hair. A few minutes later, the device buzzed with a reply.
Reagan: Yes. I just arrived home. About the coat, it's fine. You can give it back whenever.
Lara found herself smiling slightly.
Lara: Alright. Thanks again for tonight.
She closed the messaging app, but hesitated before putting her phone away. Instead, she opened her gallery, scrolling through the photos Reagan had taken. A small smile tugged at her lips as she looked at them. The photos had turned out beautiful. The lighting was perfect, capturing the soft glow of the park against the night sky. She looked… different. At ease, perhaps. Maybe even happy.
Her smiled deepened.
She hadn't realized until now that it had been a while since someone had taken a picture of her. Just her, not posed for an event or as part of a group, but simply as she was.
Without overthinking, she tapped on her Instxgram, uploading the pictures to her story. Satisfied, she set her alarm for the next morning before placing her phone on the bedside table.
She finished drying her hair and lay down, exhaling softly as she sank into the mattress. The events of the night replayed in her mind, and she couldn't help but smile. And then, unbidden, came the memory of Lucas' gaze.
Lara frowned slightly, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. It didn't matter.
With that, she closed her eyes, and before she knew it, she was drifting off into sleep.
But somewhere in the house...
Lucas was still awake, his gaze lingering on his phone—on Lara's Instagram story—his expression unreadable.
⫘⫘⫘
The next morning, Lara slipped into her routine as if nothing had changed.
She showered, dressed in comfortable clothes, and headed downstairs to the kitchen. The house was quiet, just as it always was in the mornings.
She tied her hair up into a loose ponytail and got to work, preparing a simple breakfast. Pancakes, fried eggs, and freshly brewed coffee. It was almost automatic now, the way her hands moved, measuring, flipping, plating. She wasn't even sure if Lucas would eat, but she made enough for both of them anyway.
She had just set the table and was pouring coffee into two mugs when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning slightly, she saw Lucas entering the kitchen. Dressed in a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black slacks, and a neatly knotted tie. He looked every bit the man she had married.
For a fleeting moment, her gaze lingered. It was an old habit, one she hadn't quite shaken. But just as quickly, she pulled herself back to reality.
"Good morning," she greeted him evenly. "Breakfast is ready."
Lucas didn't respond, but he pulled out a chair and sat down at the dining table. Lara finished pouring the coffee and placed one of the mugs in front of him before sitting across from him with her own.
The silence stretched between them as they ate, but for the first time, it didn't bother her. She didn't feel the need to fill the quiet with small talk, didn't feel the usual urge to reach across the gap between them.
Maybe it was progress. Or maybe she was simply getting used to the distance.
Either way, it felt… bittersweet.
She was nearly finished with her meal when Lucas spoke.
"It's my mom's birthday on Friday," he said. "She wants us to come."
Lara stilled, her fork pausing mid-air before she set it down. She lifted her gaze to meet his, surprised to find him already watching her. His dark eyes were steady, unreadable as always. And yet, even after everything, they still had the power to make her heart stutter for a split second.
But she caught herself before the feeling could settle, shifting her focus back to her plate.
"Okay," she replied simply. "We should prepare a gift then."
"I already prepared one," Lucas said, his tone neutral.
Lara nodded, cutting into the last piece of her pancake. "Still, I'd like to get her something myself."
Lucas exhaled lightly. "Do what you want."
She wasn't sure if it was permission or dismissal.
Either way, she didn't press further.
Lara finished eating before Lucas. She picked up her plate and mug, heading toward the sink. As she turned on the water, she glanced over her shoulder.
"Just leave yours on the counter when you're done," she told him. "I'll wash them later."
Lucas didn't reply, and she didn't wait for one. She finished washing her dishes, her mind drifting elsewhere. Once done, she wiped her hands and made her way upstairs to get ready for work.
After slipping into her uniform and applying a light touch of makeup, she grabbed her bag and headed back downstairs. But as she stepped into the kitchen, she halted in surprise.
The sink was empty.
The mug and plate Lucas had used were gone, washed and placed neatly on the drying rack.
For a moment, she just stood there, staring.
It was such a small thing. Insignificant, really. And yet, it still managed to tug at something deep in her chest.
She shook her head, brushing the feeling away before it could settle.
She squared her shoulders, stepped out of the house, and locked the door behind her.
Then, without another thought, she got into her car and drove to work, leaving whatever she had felt behind.