Husband With Benefits

As Isabella poured the drinks for everyone, she couldn’t help but exchange a worried glance with Nora and Olivia. It seemed Ian had been right when he’d guessed Lucien’s behaviour in the office. But she’d never have thought that he would be so right.

According to Ian there had probably been trouble in paradise but with Evana’s words, it seemed the ’paradise’ was on the verge of collapse.

Nora’s voice, tinged with caution, broke the heavy silence. "You and Lucy broke up? Why?"

Evana averted her gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "I don’t know. He never gave me a proper reason. It was the classic, ’its me not you’. We don’t have the time, etc. But his words blindsided me. I was so shocked, I couldn’t find any words. I just sat there, frozen and maybe zoned out. He waited for some time then just walked out. We haven’t spoken since."

Olivia probed further; her voice gentle yet precise. "So, you’re suggesting that Lucien initiated the break up between you two?"

With a miserable nod, Evana confirmed their worst fears. " A break apparently. We need time away from each other because we don’t have time. But isn’t that the same as breaking up? I guess, he wants to try dating other women..."

As Evana silently reached for the bottle, continuing to drink with a mix of desperation and resignation, the others exchanged serious glances, each lost in thought over Lucien’s shocking decision. They knew too well how deeply Lucien felt for Evana, making his sudden change of heart both bewildering and concerning.

Nora voiced her confusion first. "I just can’t wrap my head around it. Lucien and Evana seemed unbreakable. Do you think something happened that we don’t know about? Can it really be stress from work and the distance relationship thing?"

Olivia shook her head, "Maybe for someone else. But knowing Lucien, it doesn’t add up. He’s always been all in when it comes to a relationship and especially more so when it comes to Evana. He wouldn’t need a break unless..." As Olivia was about to say something she paused and looked at Evana consideringly.

Between Lucien and Evana, Olivia knew Lucien better. And from she knew of this brother of hers, the only way Lucien would initiate a break was if he felt it was Evana who needed the break.

However, looking at Evana’s miserable face, it seemed improbably. She looked as if someone had killed her favourite fish and then fed them to the cat. If she indeed needed a break, she should be feeling relieved, right?