The grand halls of the Alden estate were eerily silent as Selene Fairchild arrived, her every step measured and deliberate. The soft click of her heels echoed against the polished marble floors, a sound both elegant and sharp, much like the woman herself. The moment she entered the chamber, all eyes turned to her.
She was, without question, breathtaking. Long, silken strands of midnight-black hair cascaded down her back, framing a face that exuded both grace and confidence. Her deep, violet-hued eyes held a quiet intensity, veiled behind a composed expression, as if she saw the world with an understanding far beyond her years. A delicate nose and full, alluring lips—naturally tinted with a soft rose hue—complemented the perfect symmetry of her features.
But it was not just her face that captivated attention; her figure was nothing short of mesmerizing. Draped in a flowing, deep crimson gown that clung to her curves in all the right places, she radiated an air of refined sensuality. The fabric shimmered subtly under the soft glow of the lanterns, accentuating the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each breath. A daring slit ran up the side of her gown, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of smooth, toned leg with every step. She carried herself with effortless poise, a woman who knew her beauty and the power it wielded over those who dared to gaze upon her for too long.
The physician was the first to acknowledge her arrival, offering her a polite nod before greeting her formally.
"Lady Selene, thank you for coming on such short notice." His voice was steady, though there was a hint of urgency beneath it.
Selene returned the nod and dipped into a graceful bow, her movements as fluid as water. "Physician. Elder Gideon. Lady Mariana," she greeted in turn, her tone respectful yet reserved.
Elder Gideon, standing tall beside his wife, observed her closely, his sharp eyes catching the barely perceptible twitch at the corner of her mouth the moment the physician spoke his next words.
"Xavier woke up from his coma today."
Selene's composure faltered for the briefest of moments, but she quickly masked her reaction, her lips parting slightly as if to say something before she caught herself. Though subtle, Gideon did not miss the involuntary movement. Yet, he chose to remain silent, filing away the observation for later.
The physician, however, was more focused on the matter at hand. His gaze remained steady as he continued, his voice calm but firm.
"Unfortunately, his memories appear to be lost. We are attempting to trigger them gradually, and I was informed that you and Xavier were… close." He paused for a brief moment, then pressed on. "I was hoping that your presence might help us in this regard. Do you think you can assist?"
For a moment, Selene did not respond. Her expression remained unreadable, her gaze flickering ever so slightly toward the closed doors of the chamber where Xavier—no, Lucas—rested. There was something unreadable in her eyes, something buried beneath the surface of her outwardly collected demeanor.
Then, with a small nod, she answered, "I will do it."
There was no hesitation in her voice, yet something about the way she said it carried an underlying weight.
Elder Gideon and Lady Mariana exchanged a glance, but neither spoke. The physician gave a satisfied nod before gesturing toward the doors.
"Very well. He is inside. When you are ready, you may enter."
Without another word, Selene stepped forward. The doors loomed before her, heavy and imposing, the threshold separating her from the man who once called her his lover. With a steadying breath, she reached for the handle, her fingers brushing against the cold metal as she prepared to step into the room.
Selene stepped into the room, her expression calm but unreadable as her gaze landed on Lucas. She observed him for a brief moment before moving gracefully toward the bedside, settling into the chair beside him.
Lucas, still adjusting to the situation, found himself momentarily stunned. He had expected someone attractive, but Selene was something else entirely. His mind struggled with the thought—how could a woman like this have been in love with Xavier? From what little he had gathered so far, Xavier was weak, distant, and barely respected, yet here she was, looking at him with what seemed to be genuine concern.
A gentle hand brushed against his forehead, pulling him from his thoughts. Selene's touch was soft, warm, and strangely comforting.
"Xavier..." she spoke softly, her voice carrying a soothing yet melancholic tone. "How are you feeling?"
Lucas hesitated, his mind scrambling for the right response, but before he could say anything, she continued.
"Do you remember me?" Her fingers trailed lightly over his temple before retreating. "We were lovers… I'm one of the dearest people to you, love," she said, a sad smile forming on her lips. "It hurts to see you like this."
Lucas felt a strange warmth settle in his chest. It wasn't his own—no, this was something deeper, something buried in the remnants of Xavier's past. It was a feeling of longing, of devotion, of a love that ran deep enough to leave an imprint on his very soul. Xavier had truly loved Selene. That much was obvious.
But something about her didn't sit right with him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something in her voice, in her expression, that felt… off.
Before he could dwell on it further, Selene moved even closer. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace that was both gentle and firm.
Lucas barely had time to react before her scent—sweet, floral, and intoxicating—filled his senses. And then, like a dam breaking, the memories came.
Images, sensations, emotions—flashes of Xavier's past with Selene overwhelmed his mind. Soft laughter under the moonlight. Whispered words in the quiet of the night. The warmth of her touch. The way she smiled just for him. But alongside those moments of love came something else. A sharp, unbearable pain seared through his head, as if his very soul was being torn apart by the force of the memories trying to resurface.
His body tensed, his breathing grew ragged, and a low, pained groan escaped his lips.
Selene gasped, pulling back instantly. "Xavier?"
Before she could say anything else, the doors burst open, and the physician rushed in, followed closely by Elder Gideon and Lady Mariana.
"What happened?" the physician demanded, already moving toward the bedside.
Selene turned to them, her expression shaken. "I—he just—he suddenly reacted."
Lucas clutched his head, the throbbing pain refusing to fade. His vision swam, the memories refusing to settle. He could barely hear their voices now, everything blending together into a disorienting blur.
Elder Gideon exchanged a quick glance with the physician before stepping forward. "Lucas, focus. Breathe," he commanded, his voice steady but firm.
Lucas tried. He really did. But the more he fought the pain, the more the memories pushed back, threatening to swallow him whole.
Lucas clutched his head, his fingers digging into his scalp as the pain intensified. His breath came in short, uneven gasps, his body trembling from the overwhelming surge of memories. Fragments of faces, voices, and emotions flooded his mind, but none of them made sense.
Selene tightened her grip on his hand, her voice soft but urgent. "Xavier, it's okay. I'm here."
But Lucas barely registered her words. His lips moved on their own, muttering incoherently, his voice barely above a whisper. Broken phrases, half-formed words—none of it clear, none of it making sense.
Lady Mariana stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly in worry. "Why is he like this?!" she asked, her voice shaking.
The physician kept his gaze on Lucas, his expression unreadable. "His mind is in turmoil. The memories are coming, but he can't process them yet."
Elder Gideon remained silent, watching his son closely, his sharp eyes filled with something unreadable.
Lucas continued muttering, his voice distant, lost in a place none of them could reach.
Selene's fingers twitched again
st his skin.
The room was tense, the air thick with unease.
And then—
Darkness.