Lucy didn't come out for a long time.
Even after leaving his room, she avoided every place she knew Adrian would be.
The mansion felt different now.
Too quiet.
Too heavy.
She walked to the far side of the garden, a place she barely used before.
Today, she needed it.
Space.
Air.
Distance.
She sat down on a bench and hugged herself tightly.
Her thoughts wouldn't stop.
Her chest felt tight again.
"I didn't want it like that…" she whispered.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She wiped them quickly, but more followed.
"You're going to drown yourself in tears at this rate."
Lucy froze.
She looked up.
Jurbe stood there.
She didn't expect him.
Not now.
"…What are you doing here?" she asked, quickly wiping her face.
He walked closer slowly, hands in his pockets.
"Looking around," he said casually. "Then I saw you sitting here like the world ended."
Lucy looked away.
"I'm fine."
Jurbe raised a brow slightly.
"Yeah… that doesn't look like fine."
She didn't respond.
He sat down beside her, leaving a small space between them.
Not too close.
Not too far.
"What happened?" he asked.
Lucy shook her head immediately.
"Nothing."
Jurbe let out a quiet breath.
"Alright… I won't force you."
Silence settled between them.
Lucy stared ahead, lost in her thoughts.
Then Jurbe spoke again.
"But whatever it is… it's serious."
She didn't look at him.
"I can tell," he added.
Lucy's fingers tightened slightly.
But she still said nothing.
"Did he do something?" Jurbe asked carefully.
That made her react.
She shook her head quickly.
"No."
Too fast.
Too defensive.
Jurbe noticed.
But he didn't push further.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Then I'll mind my business."
Another silence.
Lucy finally spoke, her voice low.
"I just… need space."
Jurbe nodded slightly.
"That, I understand."
Before he could say anything else—
A voice cut through the air.
"So this is where you are."
Lucy's body stiffened immediately.
Jurbe turned his head.
Adrian stood there.
A few steps away.
Watching.
His eyes moved from Lucy… to Jurbe.
Then back to Lucy.
"Get up," he said.
Lucy didn't move.
"I said get up."
Jurbe stood up slowly.
"Relax," he said lightly. "I was just keeping her company."
Adrian didn't respond to him.
His attention stayed on Lucy.
Lucy stood up slowly.
But she didn't look at him.
"Come with me," Adrian said.
She shook her head slightly.
"No."
A pause.
Adrian stepped closer.
"Lucy."
"I said no."
His jaw tightened slightly.
Then he reached for her wrist.
She tried to pull away.
But his grip held her in place.
"You're coming with me," he said quietly.
Jurbe watched the moment carefully.
But said nothing.
Lucy stopped resisting.
But she didn't look at Adrian.
Back inside the mansion—
The silence between them felt heavier.
Adrian led her straight to his room.
As soon as they entered, Lucy stepped back.
"I'm not staying here."
Adrian closed the door behind them.
"You are."
Lucy shook her head.
"No."
"Yes."
Her frustration rose again.
"You can't control everything!"
Adrian stepped closer.
"I can control what matters."
She stared at him.
Angry.
Confused.
"I need space," she said again.
"You had space," he replied.
"And you used it to avoid me."
That hit.
Before she could respond—
A knock came at the door.
Adrian turned, irritated.
"What?"
A guard opened slightly.
"Sir… there's a situation."
Adrian's expression shifted slightly.
"Handle it."
"Sir… it's serious."
A pause.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
Then looked at Lucy.
"Stay here."
"I'm not a child," she replied immediately.
"Then stop acting like one," he said calmly.
And he walked out.