章 80: olivia rejection

Lucian took a deep breath as he descended the last few steps, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling that had been shadowing him all morning. Guess today isn't going to be a coffee day either, he thought wryly, his mind already set on moving through the day as quickly as possible.

As he entered the lobby, he spotted his mother, Olivia, sitting quietly on the couch. Two steaming cups of coffee sat on the table in front of her, untouched, as if waiting. The sight made him falter slightly. Coffee? With her? he thought, feeling his stomach knot. This her being here, waiting for him, was unusual. The Olivia he knew was up and out, unstoppable and consumed with work by now. Her world revolved around the family business, and morning conversations were rare, if they happened at all.