Chapter 17: Distance and LongingThe estate felt like a mausoleum.Without the children’s laughter, running footsteps, or Kai’s babbling, our once-vibrant home had become eerily quiet. Every room echoed with absence. I found myself wandering the halls like a ghost, touching Sophia’s abandoned toys, folding Alexander’s little shirts, and staring at Kai’s empty crib for far too long.It had been four days since we sent them away.Four days of aching silence.Lucian tried to fill the void with work and me. Especially me.That night, after another tense dinner with Bella, he found me standing on the balcony overlooking the dark ocean. He came up behind me without a word, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and pulling my back flush against his chest.“I miss them too,” he murmured against my hair, his voice rough. “More than I can say.”I leaned into him, desperate for comfort. His hands roamed my body possessi
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