Ava stood in front of the grand mahogany desk in Lucien's home office, hands trembling as she placed the folded resignation letter on the surface.
Lucien didn't look up right away.
He was reviewing documents with a sharp, focused gaze, but the moment he saw the envelope and her expression, everything shifted.
"What's this?"
"My resignation," she said, keeping her voice calm, practiced. "Effective immediately."
He leaned back in his chair slowly, brows lifting. "Why?"
"I've decided to leave the estate."
A pause.
Silence so thick it became a scream.
Lucien's jaw clenched. "Is this because of the kiss?"
Her breath caught.
"I told you, it was a mistake," she said, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I've overstepped my place. I'm sorry."
He stood, slowly, like a predator approaching its prey.
"You don't get to decide that," he said, voice low.
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You don't get to show up in my life, invade my head and dreams, kiss me like that and then walk away like none of it happened."
"I'm just a maid to you," she whispered.
"You were never just a maid."
She turned to leave.
"I won't accept your resignation."
"You can't force me to stay."
"Watch me."
He crossed the room in two strides, grabbing the letter and tearing it in half.
"Lucien!"
"You want to run, Ava?" he said, voice rising. "Fine. But don't expect me to let you go just because you're scared."
Her breath hitched.
He was standing too close now. His eyes were wild. Raw.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, voice shaking.
"I don't know!" he shouted. "All I know is—every time I think about you leaving this house, my chest burns. My hands shake. I need to know who you are. Why I feel this way. Why I can't stop thinking about you."
Her lips parted.
For a split second, she saw the man she used to love, the real Lucien, fighting to break free inside this broken version.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said, voice low now, dangerous. "Not until I know the truth."
And with that, he walked past her, leaving her in stunned silence.
Upstairs, Celeste stood outside the office door.
She had heard everything.
Her eyes narrowed.
And her fingers sent a message:
"We need to talk.She's trying to leave. He won't let her.She's hiding something."
To: Mrs. Blackwell – Lucien's mother