Cynthia gently closed Georgia's bedroom door and took a few steps forward. As she lifted her gaze, she caught sight of a flickering glow near the balcony, the faint arcs of light piercing through the darkness. She hesitated for a moment, then, almost instinctively, moved toward the glow. When she got closer, she realized who it was—Lucien.
Without thinking, she blurted out, "You haven't left?"
Lucien turned his head slowly at the sound of her voice, his expression calm as he met her gaze. "Where else should I go?" he asked in return.
His words caught Cynthia off guard, as if something lodged in her throat, rendering her momentarily speechless. Indeed, given the tangled mess of their relationship, it wasn't exactly surprising that he was still here.
Just then, a faint but distinct creaking sound came from the balcony railing.
A warning flashed through her mind—the landlord's reminder: The railing is old and unstable. Don't lean on it, or you might fall.
Before she could even think, her
