Chapter 82 82
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her with a soft click, already smiling that slow, predatory smile.
“I hope it’s not what I’m thinking,” she said aloud, voice low and teasing, dripping with certainty. “Lucas… I know you’re in there waiting for me to—”
She stopped.
The bathroom door stood open.
Steam curled out lazily.
The shower was off.
No Lucas.
The bed was still made.
His discarded shirt lay on the floor where she’d left it, but the slacks were gone.
The towel he’d been wearing earlier hung neatly on the rack.
Olivia’s smile faltered.
She walked to the bathroom doorway and peered in.
The floor was dry except for a few stray droplets near the drain.
He’d showered and left.
Olivia’s fingers curled into fists.
“Lucas?” she called again.
No answer.
She spun on her heel, stormed back into the bedroom, and yanked open the hallway door just in time to see Lucas disappearing around the corner toward the east wing—Mave’s wing—still damp-haired, wearing fresh dark jeans and a plain black t-shirt that clung slightly to his shoulders .
Olivia stood frozen in the doorway for a long second, chest rising and falling fast.
Then she whispered to the empty room, voice trembling with rage:
“You bastard.”
She slammed the door so hard a picture frame rattled on the wall.
Meanwhile, Lucas walked the long corridor to Mave’s wing—barefoot, still warm from the shower, trying to shake off the lingering haze of whatever Olivia had slipped him.
He reached Mave’s door—ajar, soft light spilling out—and knocked once, lightly.
Inside, Blair was on the rug, cross-legged, helping Mave build an elaborate rocket ship out of magnetic blocks. Mave was giggling, tongue poking out in concentration as he tried to balance a red fin on top.
They both looked up at the knock.
Blair’s eyes met Lucas’s first.
For a heartbeat, neither moved.
Her hair was still a little messy from earlier—strands falling around her face.
Lucas felt the air leave his lungs.
Mave broke the silence.
“Daddy!”
The boy scrambled up, blocks tumbling, and ran straight into Lucas’s legs.
Lucas dropped to one knee instantly, scooping Mave into a tight hug.
“Hey, buddy,” he murmured against the boy’s curls. “Missed you.”
Blair stayed seated on the rug, knees drawn up slightly, watching them both. Her expression was guarded—wary after what happened in the bathroom.
Lucas lifted his head, still holding Mave against his chest.
Their eyes locked again.
Just the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them: the drug, the ripped shirt, the almost-moment, the way she’d pushed him away and run.
Blair swallowed once.
Then she offered the smallest, softest nod—like permission.
Lucas exhaled—slow, shaky—and stepped fully into the room, carrying Mave with him.
He sank down onto the rug beside her, setting Mave between them.
Mave immediately grabbed both their hands—one in each—and beamed.
“Mommy and Daddy build the rocket with me! It’s gonna go to the moon!”
Blair smiled—and reached for a blue block.
Lucas took a black one, fingers brushing hers for half a second.
Neither pulled away.
Mave sat cross-legged between Blair and Lucas on the floor, the half-finished rocket ship forgotten for the moment.
He’d been chattering nonstop since Lucas arrived—about school, about his new friend wyatt, about how the teacher said his backpack was “very cool.”
Then he suddenly straightened, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Okay, okay! I have a joke!” he announced, holding up both hands like a tiny comedian.
Blair smiled, leaning back on her palms.
“Go on, baby. Let’s hear it.”
Mave puffed out his chest.
“Why don’t skeletons fight each other?”
Lucas raised an eyebrow, already fighting a grin.
“Why?” Blair asked.
Mave grinned so wide his dimples popped.
“Because they don’t have the guts!”
He burst into giggles before he even finished the punchline, rocking back and slapping his knee like he’d just told the funniest thing in the world.
Blair laughed first. She covered her mouth with one hand, eyes crinkling at the corners.
Lucas let out a low, genuine chuckle—deep in his chest, the kind that rumbled out before he could stop it. He shook his head, still smiling.
“That’s a good one, bud.”
Mave beamed, soaking up the laughter like sunshine.
Then he turned to Lucas, eyes narrowing with sudden determination.
“Daddy! I have another one! Your turn!”
Lucas leaned back on one hand, smirking.
“Alright. Here’s mine.”
He cleared his throat dramatically.
“Why don’t eggs tell jokes?”
Mave bounced.
“Why?”
“They’d crack up!”
Mave exploded into laughter—high-pitched, —falling sideways against Blair’s leg, clutching his stomach.
“Daddy! That’s so funny! Eggs crack up! Hahaha!”
Blair laughed again, shaking her head, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes from smiling so hard.
“You two are ridiculous,” she said, wiping under one eye.
Mave sat up suddenly, still giggling, but with a new gleam in his eye.
“Okay okay! Now I dare you, Daddy!”
Lucas raised both brows.
“A dare, huh? Lay it on me.”
Mave pointed at Blair, then at Lucas, then made a sweeping superhero gesture with both arms.
“I dare you to carry Mommy like Superman! Fly her around the room! Like in the comics! Super fast!”
Blair’s eyes widened.
“Mave—”
Lucas didn’t hesitate.
He stood in one smooth motion, brushing off his jeans, and looked down at Blair.
She stared up at him—half amused, half wary, cheeks already pink.
“You don’t have to—” she started.
Lucas extended both hands.
“Come on. Kid’s got a dare. Can’t back down.”
Mave clapped excitedly.
“Do it! Do it!”
Blair exhaled a laugh-sigh, then placed her hands in his.
Lucas pulled her up gently—then, without warning, scooped her into a bridal carry, one arm under her knees, the other around her back. She yelped softly, arms instinctively looping around his neck.
“Lucas—!”
He grinned—rare, boyish, the kind he hadn’t worn in years.
“Hold on tight.”
And then he took off—three long strides across the room, spinning her once in a gentle circle so her hair fanned out and Mave squealed with delight.
“Faster, Daddy! Like Superman!”
Lucas laughed—full, deep—and picked up speed just enough to make Blair gasp and cling tighter, her face buried against his shoulder for a second.
Mave jumped up and down, fists pumping.
“Superman! Superman! Mommy’s flying!”
Lucas sl
owed, breathing a little harder—
He set her down carefully on her feet, hands lingering at her waist for half a heartbeat longer than necessary.
Blair steadied herself, cheeks flushed, eyes bright.