"I— it's complicated," Serena answered the question with a heavy sigh, her shoulders drooping just a little as if the weight of her words had settled on her bones. Her eyes drifted away from his, even though she could feel his gaze boring into her like a knife made of flame and ice. How was she supposed to explain her hesitation to him? How could she wrap her emotions into coherent words when her heart itself was tangled and confused?
Lucian's eyes narrowed at her sharply, his jaw tightening. "What's complicated about finishing what you started, huh?" he asked, his voice low but undeniably firm. There was something dangerous about his tone. It was not a threat, but a challenge, one that dared her to be honest.
He wanted to know her reason. He needed to know. But she only put effort into making sure she didn't look at him, unable to meet those intense eyes anymore. She shook her head slowly, her lips parting just enough to let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh.
