Chapter 116: Under a false identity
Lucius carefully slid the album back onto the shelf, a small smile lingering as he thought of the memories he and Layla had just shared over coffee. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her cheek gently against his back, drawing him into her warmth.
"Are you really leaving in the morning?" she asked softly, her voice a blend of concern and acceptance.
He nodded. "Yes."
Layla took a breath, her arms tightening around him. "Promise me you’ll be safe. I may not know the risks you took before we were married, but you have a wife now, waiting at home." Her voice wavered slightly because of the concern.
"If things get dangerous, take your men with you. Don’t go alone." She knew that, as his wife, she could have asked him to stay. But she understood how deeply he needed closure—to uncover the truth behind Matteo’s death and free himself from the weight of guilt he’d carried for so long.
Lucius turned to face her, loosening her hands just enough to meet her eyes. He cupped her cheek, his gaze sincere. "I promise, I won’t take any unnecessary risks," he said softly, brushing a thumb across her cheek before pinching it playfully, as if to lighten the weight of their parting. "I’ll come back to you safely, no matter what."
"My husband," Layla said with a playful glint, "when you come back, bring me a souvenir from Spain. If you come home empty-handed, I might just ignore you completely."
Lucius chuckled and nodded. "Consider it done."
As she moved to pull her arms back, intending to check on dinner preparations, Lucius gently held her hands, his expression softening as he looked into her eyes. "Tell me what’s really on your mind," he murmured. "I keep wondering if I was wrong to reveal everything the way I did. Was it foolish of me?" His brows furrowed, and he studied her, sensing an inner storm despite her composed exterior. "You may look calm, but I know there’s a lot more going on inside."