Chapter 37: Whatever I wanted
After a heartfelt dinner at a lakeside restaurant, Layla and Lucius decided to take a peaceful evening walk along the shore.
Layla let Lucius hold her hand as they strolled together, his fingers gently rubbing hers, making her smile at the small, affectionate gesture.
"You know," Layla began, her voice soft, "the last vacation I had with my family was when I was six. After that, I never went anywhere with them."
Lucius glanced at her, tilting his head slightly. "Why?" he asked.
"Umm... because of Orabela," she admitted, her voice a little hesitant. "She pushed me into a deep pool during that vacation and didn’t help me get out. There was no one around, but an older man saved me. When I told my dad, he scolded me for going near the pool and didn’t believe me. My mom... Well, she said I was always causing trouble for her. She wasn’t treated with respect as my father’s mistress, so I used to feel sorry for her. But as I got older, I realized she never really saw me as her daughter."
Layla paused, realizing she had turned the light atmosphere into something heavier. She turned to Lucius, apologetic. "I’m sorry for bringing all that up."
Lucius stopped walking, gently tugging her closer. "It’s alright. You don’t have to apologize. You can tell me anything," he reassured her. His eyes softened as he added, "I can relate when it comes to the love of a mother."
Layla blinked, surprised by his admission. She had always seen Lucius as strong and confident, often displaying a rough edge when dealing with others. But this moment revealed something deeper, more vulnerable.
"Did your mother treat you badly too?" she asked in her gentle voice.